The balcony is open and the red carpet is rolled out at entertainment venues, despite growing fears over the SARS outbreak.

Canadian Press

TORONTO — The balcony is open and the red carpet is rolled out at entertainment venues, despite growing fears over the SARS outbreak.

While ticket sales have been down recently, it's not clear whether it's because of SARS, concerns over terrorism or simply the sloppy last-gasp-of-winter storm that hit Toronto on Thursday night.

Impressario Dave Mirvish says it's been a disquieting situation and they have been getting a number of telephone inquiries. But they are telling prospective customers that it's business as usual for their hit productions, The Lion King and Mamma Mia.

He said a few people have shown up at matinees with face masks but he understands it's really not necessary.

Staff has been advised to wash their hands frequently and they are taking extra care to wash down railings and to keep the washrooms very clean.

"There hasn't been any direct reason for that except that's always a good practice."

He says short-term ticket sales are not as high as usual but that there had been recent cancellations from Americans concerned about terrorist acts as their country prepared to go to war with Iraq.

"With school matinee groups from Ohio and Michigan, we had some of that ... but they've been replaced by people here in Ontario who have come to the show so that's not been a major problem."

Mirvish adds that they did more than $100,000 in new ticket sales for Lion King the other day and he found that encouraging. "I felt that people were continuing their lives and making plans."

He was looking forward to a third birthday celebration for Lion King on Friday night with clowns, cupcakes and kids.

"There is an impact, no question," Mirvish says. "And I think that part of it is the Health Department's message is not really getting out clear, which is that it is important for people to continue their lives."

Susan Minns, vice-president of sales and marketing for Second City, feels there's been a lot of overreacting and that cancellations at the comedy troupe's downtown theatre seem more weather-related in the last two days.

"We did have one local group that is going to re-schedule. Ironically, I believe they were coroners and have been asked not to go out at this point."

She says, too, that it's business as usual "except for the bloody ice. Ice and weather today, that's really what we're dealing with."

She also heard that a number of U.S. student groups have postponed travel plans but again, due more to fears of terrorism.

Andrew Sherbin, manager of corporate affairs for the 100-theatre Famous Players chain, says film ticket sales are tied to product and right now there's a lull between the big Christmas and summer seasons and that is having the biggest impact, not SARS concerns.

"Things like SARS and the war, usually we might see a little dip then it all returns to normal. Something like Sept. 11 there was a dip and then people get tired of it and needed an escape and that's what movies offer."

Sherbin stresses that the chain maintains a high level of hygiene and that the signs of SARS have been communicated to the theatres. He says patrons are not showing up in masks.

Meanwhile, there several actors have cancelled plans to come to Toronto. They include Catherine O'Hara, Fred Willard and Bob Balaban, scheduled to do interviews Friday for their new film A Mighty Wind.

Claire Bloom cancelled a publicity visit for her film The Book of Eve, citing "prior engagements." And Patricia Heaton of Everybody Loves Raymond told Regis Philbin on TV Friday morning that a new film she was to begin shooting in Toronto might move to Montreal.