Viagogo Sells Fraudulent Tickets For BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

Lefra Productions, the Producers of the very successful musical, BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly STORY which is playing presently at Emperors Palace's Theatre of Marcellus until 10 June just found out that the company, www.viagogo.co.za is selling fraudulent BUDDY tickets to the public. Frans Swart, Managing Director of Lefra Productions said that only Computicket is permitted to sell BUDDY tickets. Groups can also book at Computicket or at Lefra Productions' Offices directly on (011) 815 3000 or to email to admin@lefra.com

Lefra Productions recently became aware of the fact that the company www.viagogo.co.za are selling BUDDY tickets at about 5 times the face value of the ticket. Mr Hennie van Niekerk said he bought 6 tickets on their website. "I was initially quoted R707, but then I saw R4 196 went off my credit card," says Mr Van Niekerk. "It is a lot of money for theatre tickets and I was very angry when Charl Senekal of Lefra Productions informed me that I bought R150 tickets for R700. Luckily we enjoyed BUDDY very much!"

Frans Swart said that they only became aware of this fraudulent action when there was a complete different name on the tickets. "We then realised that Viagogo sold Mr Van Niekerk R150 tickets at the astronomic price of R699.33. They are making an illegal profit of more than R550 per ticket. It is also illegal to resell our BUDDY tickets. The irony of the matter is that our most expensive tickets for BUDDY (through Computicket) is only R490 per ticket, because we always try to keep our theatre tickets as low as possible," said Swart.

Mr Henk Dippernaar was also caught by Viagogo. "We booked two tickets and had to pay R2 135 for only two tickets. That is R1067,50 per ticket." When Lefra Productions investigated further, Viagogo also sold Mr Dippenaar R150 ticket at an amount of R1067,50 per ticket.

Swart requested the public not to book any BUDDY tickets through www.viagogo.co.za

"Our ticket prices vary from R150, R250, R350, R450 to R490. We also offer special deals for groups, families, pensioners as well as dinner/show packages. All deals are available on www.computicket.com or through the call centre 0861 915 8000 or at any branch of Computicket. Computicket has branches at all outlets of Checkers and Shoprite's stores. Only Computicket is mandated to sell BUDDY tickets and the public must really be on the look out for websites such as www.viagogo.co.za," said Swart. He added that BUDDY is doing very well at the box office. "I presume that is why they targeted BUDDY to use that for their illegal income. We have already scheduled two extra shows on Sundays at 11:00 to make provision for the high demand for tickets. It makes us really angry if companies like Viagogo is using theatre to resell our tickets at very high prices!"

Lefra Productions recommends that patrons who bought tickets from www.viagogo.co.za must immediately cancel the transaction with their Credit Card Companies and must also report it as fraudulent transactions. Then rather book your BUDDY tickets through the official ticketing agency, Computicket.

The international super star, Ed SHeeran, is also busy with a case against the international www.viagogo.co.za after Viagogo resold tickets for his concerts in London, Hampden and Manchester. His management made it clear that nobody is allowed to resell his tickets.

BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly STORY is playing at Emperors Palace's Theatre of Marcellus until 10 June 2018. There will be shows on Saturdays at 15:00 and 20:00 and on Sundays 11:00 and 15:00. Shows during the week will start at 20:00. BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly boasts a star-studded cast. Super Star, Brendan Peyper, is playing Buddy. Veteran radio presenter and voice artist, Malcolm Gooding is in the role of the America Radio Presenter, Hipockets Duncan, Mort Williams is Ritchie Valens and Ayanda Sibisi and Andile Magxaki the Apollo Singers. The rest of the cast are Etienne du Plessis, Donae Brazer, Hugh Becker, Jaco CIlliers, Saranti Reeders and Simeon Hamman. Saranti Reeders is Musical Director and Frans Swart is directing. Tickets for BUDDY - THE Buddy Holly can be booked at Computicket. Groups more than 10 @ discount - phone Lefra Productions on (011) 815 3000 or visit www.buddyholly.co.za