A court in The Hague on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for the rise in sales tax (btw) on theatre tickets from 6% to 19%, reports news agency ANP.

The case against the government’s planned increase was brought by a large number of theatre organisations who told the court the rise is against European law on fiscal treatment, which must not be different for some activities within the same field.
The increase in sales tax does not apply to zoos, circuses, cinemas and sports events.
Another blow
It is another blow to arts and culture following last week’s announcement by culture minister Halbe Zijlstra on how he will cut €200m from his budget.
The society of independent theatre producers, one of the complainants in the case, said it could not yet say if there would be an appeal.
Parliament will debate the planned cuts on Monday. The arts and culture sector is organising a ‘weekend of civilisation’ that starts on Friday during the Oerol theatre festival on the island of Terschelling and culminates with a march through The Hague to the parliament building.