The Dutch theatre producers’ association is going to court in an effort to have the value-added tax hike on theatre tickets delayed or put on ice.

The organisation says the government’s decision to go ahead with the increase from 6% to 19% from January is unfair.
‘We have been completely taken by surprise,’ chairman Erwin van Lambaart told the Telegraaf. ‘We work two years in advance and have invested in plays and musicals. This is… a deliberate attempt by the cabinet to wreck our sector,’ he said.
The government forced through the increase earlier this week, at the insistence of the populist PVV. The biggest party in the coalition, the VVD, had been prepared to compromise.
Tickets for sports events, such as football matches, are still subject to 6% tax.