Alibaba: Why VIP tickets are expensive in our comedy shows

Atunyota Akpobome, Nigerian veteran comedian better known as Alibaba, says very important personalities (VIP) tickets are expensive in comedy shows in the country because VIPs are the ones who bear the cost of the show.

Alibaba, who made the comment in response to a fan who requested to know why VIP tickets were expensive in Nigerian comedy shows, said the cost of planning a show overseas was cheaper than in the country.

The ace comedian also decried challenges comedians face in getting sponsorship for shows.

“@Collinsmohot because the VIPs bear the cost of the show,” he wrote on Instagram.

“If your show cost you N150million, how much regular tickets will return your investment?

“Say the hall is 2,000 capacity, how much will regular pay? Besides, cost of planning a show oversea is far cheaper.”

Lawrence Oluwaseyitan, another comedian better known as Seyi Law, took a screenshot of the post and also hailed Alibaba on his response to the fan.

He said the cost and demands of hosting an event in the country without sponsorship drive up ticket pricing.

View this post on Instagram

Thanks @alibabagcfr for constantly trying to educate people about the efforts of entertainers and events management practitioners. I can't write the epistle needed to drive home this point. The cost and class demands of the events in Nigeria without sponsorship drive up ticket pricing. These and more are the reasons we are constantly grateful to media houses that oblige us their platforms for advertising. Now, AFCON is encroaching into that territory to frustrate our efforts. What is the government doing to encourage these businesses that create 100 to 200 direct and indirect jobs per show? Make I leave the matter for now. I am looking for sponsors for my Abuja show abeg.

Advertisement

A post shared by SEYI LAW (@seyilaw1) on Oct 12, 2019 at 4:42am PDT

“Thanks @alibabagcfr for constantly educating the people about the activities of entertainers and events managers,” he wrote.

“I can’t write the epistle needed to drive home this point. The cost and class demands of the events in Nigeria without sponsorship drive up ticket pricing.

“These and more are the reasons we are constantly grateful to media houses that oblige us their platforms for advertising.

“Now, AFCON is encroaching into that territory to frustrate our efforts.

“What is the government doing to encourage these businesses that create 100 to 200 direct and indirect jobs per show?

“Make I leave the matter for now. I am looking for sponsors for my Abuja show abeg.”