Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

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Belgrade Theatre Review of the Year 2014/2015

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A review of the year 2014 - 2015 from the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry.

Transcript of Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

Page 1: Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

Belgrade Theatre Review of the Year 2014/2015

Page 2: Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

Looking back over the past

year fills me with immense

pride as well as great

memories of the fantastic

productions we’ve created

to share with the world. It’s

never an easy task putting

together a programme of shows which appeal to the

tastes of so many people, but that’s what the Belgrade

does so well.

From rarely performed classics like The Spanish

Golden Age productions, to brand new musicals such

as Propaganda Swing, revivals of local stories in

Three Minute Heroes or more diverse shows like

Blood – the consistent theme has always been quality

and a unique offering. The same goes for the family

offering with another record breaking pantomime and

a wonderfully engaging Only A Day. I struggle to pick

a favourite; each one is so rewarding to watch in its

own right.

Our Visiting Company work complements our own

plays, meaning that our Seasons are diverse and fresh,

designed to broaden and appeal to the many different

audiences in the City and region.

It’s not just our bold programme of work that defines

us, but also the valuable projects the Community &

Education Company do. Being able to offer

productions like Bassett, numerous participation

opportunities and the TiE production Becoming Me

has been an achievement in light of funding cuts, but is

what helps make a Belgrade that belongs to everyone,

creates inspiring theatre and transforms lives.

Being able to continue to offer such a vibrant

programme in these challenging times is no mean feat.

It has only been possible through the hard work of our

talented staff and the success of our income generating

activities making us less reliant on public funding.

Belgrade Production Services is an important part of

this story and has benefitted from further investment

this year, and will continue to be an important income

source for the Theatre.

The Belgrade’s challenges lie hand in hand with those

faced by the City, but we continue successfully to

contribute towards their goals for Community and

Economic development and look forward to playing a

pivotal role in bidding for City of Culture in 2021.

The Belgrade is a much loved creative hub for the area

and our TiE 50th anniversary celebrations throughout

2015 will be another reason to be proud. With the

continued support of the Theatre’s many stakeholders

I’m confident we will continue to overcome the

challenges ahead.

Stewart Fergusson

Chairman

“A Belgrade that belongs to everyone; creates inspiring theatre and transforms lives”

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Board Members:

Mr S Fergusson, Chairman Cllr R Bailey Mr A Bhabra Cllr L Bigham Mr G Brooke-Taylor Mr J Davidson Mr P A W Deeley

Mr P Fenner ACA/FCCA Mr W H Glen LLB Mrs P Johnstone Mr J McGuigan Mr A Pollock Ms K J Reid BA Hons Mrs D Williams

Belgrade Theatre Trust (Coventry) Limited (A company limited by guarantee)

Company Secretary and Executive Director : Ms K J Reid BA Hons Chief Executive and Artistic Director: Mr W H Glen LLB Funding Body Representatives entitled to attend Board meetings: Arts Council England West Midlands - Ms Nikki Ralston (Relationship Manager, Theatre), Coventry City Council - Mr D Cockcroft (Assistant Director, City Centre & Development Services)

Charity registered number 219163 Company registered number 593331

Registered office:

Belgrade Theatre Belgrade Square Coventry West Midlands CV1 1GS

Page 3: Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

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The Belgrade Theatre's vision: To be one of the most dynamic producing houses in the country. Mission: Our role is to provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality for Coventry and the surrounding regions and to act as an ambassador for Coventry & The West Midlands when touring.

I am proud of our artistic achievements

in 2014/15, delivered despite a third year

when the general funding cuts

significantly hit the Theatre. In terms of

home produced plays, it has been our

busiest year yet. Our first productions of

the financial year were co-produced with

Bath Theatre Royal and Arcola Theatre

London: the Spanish Golden Age plays A

LADY OF LITTLE SENSE, DON GIL OF

THE GREEN BREECHES and

PUNISHMENT WITHOUT

REVENGE. The Autumn then opened

with our co-production with

Nottingham Playhouse of the World

premiere of PROPAGANDA SWING by

Peter Arnott, a true story of the survival

of Jazz in Nazi Germany, which I

directed, and the revival of THREE

MINUTE HEROES by Bob Eaton.

Our always popular pantomime was

ALADDIN in addition to our “alternative

Christmas show” OH NO IT ISN’T. We

expanded our focus on work for children

and young people by producing the UK

premiere of ONLY A DAY, that

complemented two NT Connections

shows: Senior Youth Theatre’s PRO-

NOUN and Acting Out’s BASSETT; and

Year 10 Acting Out’s ME, MYSELF AND

MY iPHONE. During Summer 2014 the

Theatre again toured extracts of the

forthcoming season’s work to unusual

venues in Coventry and Warwickshire

with UNPLUGGED. At the other end of

the year our produced programme was

completed by a co-production of a new

South Asian play BLOOD by Emteaz

Hussain with national touring company

Tamasha.

We have been delighted to develop our

‘in association with’ partnerships

supporting smaller companies and

non-traditional theatre presentations.

These included CHORALE with

Presence Theatre and Actors Touring

Company, 100 YEARS WAR with

Midland Creative Projects, THE

MARRIAGE OF FIGARO with OperaUp-

Close, THE PHYSICAL FELLOWSHIP

with Highly Sprung and SANTA’S DIZZY

DAY with Imagine Theatre. The Theatre

also produced The Belgrade MELA.

Catalyst Funding, a grant awarded by

Arts Council England to boost fund

raising ability, helped establish Asian

Youth Theatre; the 50th Anniversary

celebrations of Theatre in Education

(TiE) – Inspiring Curiosity; stage the

NEW BLACK SHOWCASE,

rehearsed readings of work by

young BAME writers from our

CRITICAL MASS programme; tour

UNPLUGGED; and take a recording

of Panto to Hospitals, Hospices and

Nursing Homes, as well as offer tickets

for families facing financial hardship at

Christmas through ‘Give the Gift of

Theatre’.

We believe that we have succeeded in

our aim to be one of the most dynamic

producing houses in the country, with a

bold artistic policy that the region both

embraces and deserves, and which puts

us in a pivotal position for Coventry’s bid

for the next City of Culture. These are

exciting, but challenging times for us, but

with a strong, creative and loyal team of

staff continually championing the work

we do we are confident that we are

equipped not just to survive, but to

thrive.

Hamish Glen

Artistic Director & Chief Executive

Page 4: Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

2014/15 was the final year of the

Theatre’s first three year contract

as an Arts Council National

Portfolio Organisation (NPO).

The Theatre exceeded agreed

KPIs despite another difficult year

of declining core funding and

continuing low public confidence

which affects ticket sales.

Belgrade productions

PROPAGANDA SWING and

THREE MINUTE HEROES

performed very well at Box

Office, and our Panto once again

exceeded previous Box Office

records. Some of the Visiting

Company work, particularly early

in 2015, also did very good

business.

The Theatre produced 18 own

productions during the year, the

highest ever, and combined with

our lively Visiting Company

programme presented 421

performances of 113 different

productions. The number of

different productions in the

seasons is a record but

performance numbers were

slightly down on the previous

year’s 434, but are still higher

than all previous years. We had

the biggest audiences ever for our

Panto (over 42,000) but total

audiences for the year at 151,000

were 8% down on last year,

reflecting continuing audience risk

aversion. Audience numbers are

still greater than all previous

years.

The final 10% cut from CCC hit

this year, taking the total cut to

25% and Arts Council NPO

funding, following in-period cuts,

was reduced. However sharing

costs through co-productions and

our continuing drive to increase

earned income from all sources

has enabled us again to improve

Earned Income to Turnover ratio

which is now 62% (up from 50%

in 2009/10).

The Theatre’s wholly owned

trading subsidiary Enterprises’

turnover this year nearly made it

to £1million (£904k), making a

surplus during the year of £274k

(compared to £211k last year)

that is donated in full to the

Theatre (a registered Charity).

The improvement in results was

largely due to Belgrade

Production Services that

continues to increase turnover

and Events and Conferencing.

Community & Education self‑ generated income was £110k and

includes income from commercial

workshops run on Saturdays and

Summer and Easter Camps.

The Theatre’s Business Model

continues to prove its resilience

as well as its flexibility. Our

ability to respond creatively and

energetically to continuing threats

to funding will remain critical.

We are fortunate to be able to

rely on dedicated staff, and thank

them for their hard and loyal

work that enables the Theatre to

face the future with ambition and

confidence.

Joanna Reid

Executive Director

Marriage

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“The Theatre’s Business Model continues to prove its resilience”

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“Don’t waste your time travelling to London,

come to Coventry; a more intimate theatre

experience, and no need to stay over” Audience

Member, Trip Advisor, February 2015

“A brilliant piece of new writing” The Arts Desk on Blood

“This is children’s theatre at its best’” Coventry Telegraph on Only A Day

“This production is a triumph of style and substance” Whatsonstage.com on Propaganda Swing

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“We do appreciate the range of shows you put on at the Belgrade - it's marvellous for us to have access to theatre of such quality” Email from Theatre-goer, Sept 2015

Main Photo: Punishment without Revenge

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The Belgrade’s Community & Education Company (C&E)

aims first and foremost to make theatre which bears

witness to the experiences of marginalised communities

within our City. We believe that these voices are best

heard when given a platform through high quality

productions and projects, which attract a diverse audience.

The C&E programme is committed to supporting

participants to gain skills which enable them to develop

careers in the performing arts and other industries.

2014/15 saw the Community & Education Company deliver

a record 12,875 participation opportunities through 804

workshops. Nine community performances and 22

sharings were seen by 2,425 audience members including

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two National Theatre Connections plays; the popular

PRONOUN by Evan Placey performed by the Senior Youth

Theatre at the Warwick Arts Centre 2014 NT Connections

Festival; and BASSETT by James Graham, movingly performed

by the Acting Out Company. The Year 10 Acting Out group

also created their first performance ME, MYSELF AND MY

iPHONE, around issues of body image and self-perception.

A large part of the programme for 2014-15 was given over to

developing work for the Inspiring Curiosity year in 2015,

marking 50 years since the birth of the TiE (Theatre in

Education) movement at the Belgrade. The innovative artist

residency generated six exciting productions for the July 2015

Festival INSPIRING CURIOSITY – IN OUR OWN WORDS.

Partner companies and artists included Vamos Theatre,

Gateway Studio Project, curious directive, Frantic Assembly,

Chris White (RSC) and Chris O’Connell (Theatre Absolute)

working with our Asian Youth Theatre, Black Youth Theatre,

Canley Youth Theatre, Middle Youth Theatre, two Senior

Youth Theatre groups and our 50+ group Shine On.

Work for black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities

continues from strength to strength with Black and Asian

Youth Theatres as well as the fourth NEW BLACK

SHOWCASE, presenting rehearsed readings of two full

scripts; RED MULLET a fictional account of the Jamaican

Independence struggle by Liz Mytton and VISITING HOURS

about four women visiting their menfolk in prison by

Theresa Ikoko.

In the Summer Term of 2014 we again toured our TiE

production BECOMING ME, aiding the transition from

Primary to Secondary school. The production toured to 39

schools in both Coventry and Sandwell. Throughout the year,

the Theatre continued to run our programme of paid for

workshops, introducing a weekly programme for adults,

and an increased programme of youth activity for half terms

and holidays.

“It’s difficult when people talk about it. When I get to see it in action it’s a bit more clear” Pupil attending Big School

2014/15 stats 804 workshops

12,875 participation opportunities 39 performances in schools

395 targeted workshops

8 BTEC certificates Achieved, 201 since 2007

33% of participants from priority Postcode areas

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Photo: From the End Spring New Beginnings

“Mask work was a totally new experience for me, and I really enjoyed it. I learnt that the movement of my body can be as important as speech or what I do with my face” Senior Youth Theatre participant

“The programme has helped me to relearn skills that I thought I’d forgotten and enabled me to feel less self conscious” Shine On Participant

“It helps me feel confident and helps me at school. I’ve made lots of new friends” Asian Youth Theatre Participant

Page 8: Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

THE BELGRADE THEATRE:

Is a National leader in education work ... Promotes community cohesion …

Providing free participative arts activity ensuring access to those

who could not otherwise afford to attend and help them to develop

confidence, skills and create high quality work.

The Theatre employs up to 135 people at the height of its season and

during 2014/15 supported the equivalent of 77 full time posts.

Belgrade Production Services retains a pool of skilled workers in the city

and in 2014/15 provided almost 21,201hours of work for freelance/casual carpenters, welders, props makers, scenic artists and wardrobe technicians, in addition to the Belgrade’s core staffing.

3,344 hours of work placements were provided.

50 years. The Belgrade Theatre invented TiE (Theatre in Education) in 1965.

38% of Coventry’s primary schools saw the TiE play, Big School, partnering with the Education Authority.

2,222 pupils aged 10 and 11, benefitted from seeing Big School.

201 BTEC certificates awarded since 2007 to students at risk of exclusion from school.

138 schools workshops were delivered.

11,313 schools tickets sold.

"I have learnt something from very residency workshop, as well as from the support of

different Belgrade course directors” Workshop participant

Aids employability …

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42% of tickets

were sold to people

eligible for a concession**

The Belgrade is a vibrant place offering a wide range of shows that appeal to a variety of audiences. It does

extensive work with the City’s communities within priority post code areas attracting people who have never

been to the Theatre before. We enable access to the arts via:

Concessionary ticket schemes for paid activity

Wheelchair access to all public areas of the Building Free access for community activity Access performances for those with hearing or sight impairment

694 free tickets

were given to under 26s

Promotes community cohesion …

** Concessions comprise: Unemployed, Students, Children, Disabled, Senior Citizens & Passport to Leisure. Other discounts include 20% and other offers.

Evidence from around the UK demonstrates conclusively that cities can regenerate and reinvent themselves

through the success of their cultural institutions because those institutions not only help to project the City’s

profile nationally, they also serve the City’s needs locally.

The Belgrade’s 1958 listed building was refurbished and extended in 2007 with a £14m capital project.

The Theatre is now pivotal to the City’s economic regeneration, attracting increasing numbers of people from

outside areas and is at the heart of the City’s night time economy. In 2014/15 the Theatre’s activities generated

£6.6m in the local economy.

The Belgrade offers a wide range of shows that appeal to a variety of audiences. It is well known and loved in

the City and has a significant impact on the well-being of local people, contributing towards making

Coventry a good place to work and live.

Is key to the City’s regeneration …

Attracting visitors to the City ...

52% of bookers are

drawn into the City from outside the City of Coventry area.

***Note: number of bookers figure is the number of individuals making the booking, not the number of tickets purchased.

6,561 from North Warwickshire region (5,972 in 2013/14)

15,086 from City (15,357 in 2013/14)

3,814 from South Warwickshire region (4,429 in 2013/14)

3,909 from other areas (6,420 in 2013/14)

29,369 bookers in total (32, 178 in 2013/14 )

Number of bookers by area***

North

South

Page 10: Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

THE BELGRADE THEATRE:

The Theatre works hard to develop and diversify its income streams, creating Belgrade Production

Services (BPS), commercial workshop programmes for children and young people and also developing

Events & Conferencing.

Helping ourselves and others ...

*Belgrade Enterprises Ltd incorporates

income earned by Belgrade Production

Services, Conferencing & Events,

Commerical Workshops and ices/

programmes/merchandising.

During 2014/15 each £1 of CCC funding was matched by £3.86 of earned

income which rises to £4.98 with Arts Council funding.

Additional and existing sources of commercial income earned

£904,000 turnover in

2014/15 and £3.3m since 2007.

The Theatre now earns

62% of its income,

up from 46% in 2008/09.

Earned Income:

Box Office 39%

Enterprises* 18%

Fundraising & Sponsorship 3%

Other 2%

Page 11: Belgrade Theatre annual report 2014 2015

The Belgrade Theatre gratefully acknowledges financial support from all our supporters

Thank you to our supporters ...

The Belgrade Theatre Trust is a registered charity (number 219163). This means that all the money given,

raised or earned is not distributed as profit but kept and reinvested in the work that we do. We are reliant

on a number of generous individuals and organisations, who support our work, to make it possible for us to

continue to develop our artistic and educational work and remain central to the communities we serve.

As a result of this particular support last year, we raised over £176,352 in donations and sponsorship. This

enabled us to provide:

44 places for young people in our Asian and Black Youth Theatres

Belgrade Unplugged, which toured venues across Coventry & Warwickshire

and was enjoyed by 600 people

Our Give the Gift of Theatre appeal, providing 362 tickets to see Aladdin for

families facing financial hardship

The production of Only a Day

Improvements to our access facilities

In addition to our Friends’ and Directors’ Club members, The Belgrade Theatre gratefully acknowledges

financial support from the following Trusts & Foundations in 2014/15:

The Norton Foundation, The Grantham Yorke Trust, The Rowlands Trust, The Patrick Trust,

The Elizabeth Swillington Trust, Coventry City Council (Small Arts Grants), The John Thaw

Foundation, The MB Trust, and 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust.

For more information, please visit www.belgrade.co.uk/charity Ph

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We worked with over

137 artists from the UK’s

talent pool in the

creative industries

113 productions

151,000 people experienced

a live performance at

the Belgrade Theatre

Our average ticket

price of £13.28 meant our tickets

were affordable &

accessible

12,875 Children, young people & aged 50+

participated in workshops, and

65,813

people attended performances

for families and young people

£6.6m worth of local

economic impact

We attracted over

£176,352 in philanthropic support

£2.1m Spent on gross

payroll, creating full or part time

employment for over 135 people

£845k Coventry City Council grant

leveraging £942k Arts Council grant

& £125k Project grants

£5mturnover

Coventry’s vibrant producing & presenting theatre

THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT 2014-15

The Belgrade Theatre is a charity. Public funding received from Coventry City

Council, Arts Council England; fund-raising from various Trusts and Foundations;

and Charitable and Business Sponsorship, enables us to leverage considerably

more from earned income generated through ticket and other sales.

Economic Impact Cultural & Social Impact

£4.98 GENERATED FOR EVERY

£1 OF COVENTRY CITY

COUNCIL FUNDING

BROADENING CULTURAL

ENGAGEMENT & SOCIAL

COHESION

£8.2m equivalent value of

press coverage

We earn

62% of our income

Up from 46% in 08/09

4 apprenticeship posts

making 20 since 2009 &

3344 work placement

hours

+

£418k Was paid in

Tax and NI

£204k Was paid in

net VAT

payments

= £622k directly paid to

Government

51%

up on 13/14

42%

up on 13/14