Hit Productions Liquidation
Leading regional touring company HIT Productions has gone bust leaving debts of close to two million dollars.
Performing arts venues, businesses, the Australian Tax Office, Creative Australia and individuals were sent a creditors’ notification on the 29th of December, informing them that HIT Productions, which has Christine Ava Harris as the sole director, has gone into liquidation.
Christine Harris tonight released the following statement to Stage Whispers.
"Hit Productions has faced some extraordinary circumstances in the last three years including funding challenges, personal illness and a recent prematurely cancelled tour due to cast illness."
"Whilst I am devastated to be closing the business after 32 years. I hope that the 125 plus tours nationwide, over 5000 performances and thousands of arts workers employed both emerging and established will be the legacy of the business."
Actors and creatives appeared to have been paid most of their wages. They are owed $127,000 which is made up substantially of unpaid superannuation of $91,000 according to the liquidator.
“Prior to my appointment, the Company employed four (4) employees on a full-time/part time basis. It is also my understanding that the Company formerly employed approximately thirteen (13) employees on a casual basis for the purposes of a production whose employment ended earlier in the year,” the liquidator Timothy Brace wrote.
The largest creditor is the Australian Taxation Office which is owed $567,000.
This is somewhat ironic as Hit Productions has in recent years received substantial Government grants to tour the musicals The Sunshine Club (2024), and last year Waltzing the Wilarra around Australia, described by an insider as “tumultuous”.
Thirty regional and suburban venues are listed amongst the creditors such as the Arulen Arts Centre in Alice Springs which is owed $29,700.
A private investor is owed more than four hundred thousand dollars. Other companies hard hit are a travel company owed more than $200,000, and businesses which provide technical services.
The total owing is approximately $1,995,000
“The Company was incorporated on 22 November 2012 and formerly operated a production house which toured staged productions to remote, regional, outer metro and metro areas across Australia. The Company’s principal place of business was in Mentone, Victoria, " said the liquidator.
“The Director of the Company is Christine Alva Harris. The Director has advised the reason for the Company’s failure was due to the Company not being able to secure sufficient future funding & working capital from multiple sources, leading to an inability to meet its debts as and when they fell due.”
The circumstances are similar to what happened in 2013 when Stage Whispers reported that Christine Harris placed her company Follow Your Dreams (Aust) Pty Ltd into liquidation, citing debts of $1.7 million. Ms Harris then set up a new company and continued trading.
On social media in 2024 Christine Harris celebrated 30 years in the business.
“Here is a pic of my first production Duet for One by Tom Kempinski at the Victorian Arts Centre where I was honoured to perform with Lex Marinos. HIT has gone on to present over 125 separate tours transversing millions of kms nationally, over 1.5 million patrons have seen our shows returning $60 plus million to the Australian economy. 320 plus different theatre venues and over 5000 performances.”
Written by David Spicer