Back Quote by Tom Stoppard
“It was a different planet in 1967, the Broadway theatre. It had a little ashtray clamped to the back of every seat and the author got 10% of the gross.”
About This Quote
Source Film: The 1967 Broadway production of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", 1967
It describes a theatrical setting where each seat had an ashtray and the author earned a modest share of profits, highlighting modest commercial terms of the era.
In simple terms: A theater had ashtrays on seats and the writer got 10% of earnings.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how creative compensation has evolved.
Themes
theatre
economics
history
culture
Mood
nostalgic
reflective
Type
historical
informative
When to use this quote
- studying vintage theatre contracts
- analyzing modern author royalties
- comparing past and present entertainment economics
Key Concepts
royalties
publishing
stagecraft
Questions to Reflect On
- How have author royalties changed over time?
- What does this say about the value of creative work?
A Different Perspective
Modern contracts often include larger percentages and digital rights, not just flat gross shares.
![“We have a desperate need for producers in the [commercial Broadway] theatre, and it is very hard for them to get money and find investors for new plays.” quote by Arthur Laurents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b3b/arthur-laurents-53199_broadway_we-have-a-desperate-need-for-producers-i_2728774.jpg)
