MONEY AND REALITY

A $9 million mega-production of “Madam Butterfly” in Australia scheduled for next season has been canceled. Poor ticket sales and the falling value of the Australian dollar is to blame. “One makes allowances for things like a falling dollar – but you don’t allow it to go down to 52¢,” Coad said. “We’re bitterly disappointed that we’ve now had to unravel it but the acute financial situation means this is the only sensible decision to be made.” – Sydney Morning Herald