ANNUAL REVIEW
2015-16
SPONSORS
OUR WORK WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES We would like to extend our thanks to the businesses who generously supported our creative and charitable work throughout the year through their much valued sponsorship of Nottingham Playhouse. We’re proud of the close relationships we hold with local companies who help us in our mission to make world class theatre that’s as diverse as the community we serve. Their support is incredibly important to us and ensures we can continue to offer a theatre experience for all. By partnering with us, they invested in culture and invested in Nottingham. Thank you.
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Nottingham Playhouse
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME Our mission is to make world class theatre that’s as diverse as our community. We’re very proud of the work we’ve brought the people of the Midlands this year.
pantomime, launching free youth theatres for those that wouldn’t access them otherwise or continuing our commitment to Pay What You Can performances.
We relish our role as storytellers and in finding the most important stories to tell. Both Any Means Necessary and Tony’s Last Tape are Nottingham Playhouse commissions and the former, in particular, really gave voice to a section of the community whose story had been buried for years. We were proud to revive the 20th Century classic, The Glass Menagerie, and Jacobean masterpiece, The Duchess of Malfi, introducing them to a whole new audience. Once again our award-winning co-production of 1984 appeared not only in Nottingham but in the West End and on tour in the USA and Australia, flying the flag for Nottingham on a national and international stage. Closer to home, Hare and Tortoise introduced brand new audiences to the joy of live theatre in the Neville Studio – and their parents and grandparents too. We were also proud to maintain our position as one of the few producing theatres who tour work to schools; Hare and Tortoise entertained children in 20 schools across the county.
Once again we thank the people who make all this possible: Our fantastic and hard-working staff; our funders Arts Council England and Nottingham City Council; our growing band of members, sponsors and donors, and our wonderful and diverse audiences – thank you so much for your support of Nottingham Playhouse. We couldn’t do it without you.
Helen Flach
Caroline Shutter
Chair (until August 2015)
Chair (from August 2015)
Giles Croft
Stephanie Sirr
Artistic Director
Chief Executive
We’ve welcomed so many new people to the Playhouse this year – as audiences, as participants and as artists. We’ve striven to provide opportunities for everybody to take part – whether that’s by donating a 50:50 ticket to the
Image credit: Any Means Necessary, Robert Day
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FINANCE
THE YEAR IN FIGURES
We ran
39
workshops and education sessions, attended by
1110
people
6500 Approx.
people attended
ONE OF 507 participation sessions
AUDIENCES GAVE US A QUALITY SCORE OF
21,653
Twitter followers,
81%
9313
Facebook page likes,
1133
Instagram followers
1892
400
customers attended talks
PAY WHAT YOU CAN
22%
INCREASE IN FIRST TIME ATTENDERS TO NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
NUMBER OF FIRST TIME BOOKERS
7495
tickets sold
Of 04
Nottingham Playhouse
11 new productions, 6 were directed or written by women
7%
DE CR E A S E
I
N
3
FINANCE
121,203
TOTAL TAKINGS AT THE BOX OFFICE
£1,733,660
TOTAL NUMBER O EVENTS F
used per year
652
NUMBER OF ACTORS EMPLOYED
66
66%
Earned income
V
34% Subsidy of total turnover
TOTAL NUMBER OF TICKETS
PERCENTAGE OF LOCAL AUTHORITY FUNDING COMPARED TO TURNOVER
3.7%
NUMBER OF
BACKSTAGE PASS MEMBERS
913
Subsidy per head from Nottingham City Council
3.5%
Subsidy per head from Arts Council England
30.3% 2015/16 Annual Review
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REVIEWS
HHHH “A FRESH CAST
BRINGING NEW ENERGY AND INSIGHT” The Stage - Beautiful Thing
“ABSORBING AND REMORSELESSLY GRIPPING" Nottingham Post - A Skull in Connemara
HHHH
“WARM, SWEET AND CONSISTENTLY FUNNY” The Observer - Tony’s Last Tape
HHHHH
“A CHILLING, INGENIOUS 101 MINUTES” The Times - 1984
HHHH
“DIRECTED IN FINE AND BLOODY STYLE” East Midlands Theatre - The Duchess of Malfi 06
Nottingham Playhouse
REVIEWS
“A REAL MIDLANDS INSTITUTION” The Guardian - Dick Whittington
HHHH
“THE PERFORMANCES ARE TREMENDOUS... AN ADMIRABLE PRODUCTION”
The Guardian - The Rubenstein Kiss
HHHH
“A POWERFUL EXPLORATION OF THE CORROSIVENESS OF INFORMING”
The Guardian - Any Means Necessary
HHHH
“TENNESSEE WILLIAMS DONE TO PERFECTION” The Stage - The Glass Menagerie
Image credits: The Duchess of Malfi (left), Sheila Burnett; A Skull in Connemara, Robert Day
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SHOWS
A SKULL IN CONNEMARA FRIDAY 22 MAY - SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2015 This uproarious comedy digs beneath the tranquil surface of life in rural Ireland. Mick Dowd’s wife died seven years ago in an accident, but now the local cemetery is full, and it’s time for a clear-out. As the spades dig down into the earth of Connemara, might it be more than just bones they find?
A co-production with Curve Theatre Leicester and Tom O’Connell for QNQ
BEAUTIFUL THING TUESDAY 21 APRIL - SATURDAY 9 MAY 2015 A glorious urban love story between two young men set on an inner city housing estate, telling the story of teenager Jamie’s relationship with classmate and neighbour, Ste. Together the two boys find comedy, warmth and the music of Mama Cass through their loud-mouthed next door neighbour, Leah.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credits: Beautiful Thing, Anton Belmonte; A Skull in Connemara, Robert Day
SHOWS
TONY’S LAST TAPE THURSDAY 30 JULY - SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2015 Based on the diaries of Tony Benn, one of Britain’s most respected, divisive and celebrated politicians. For more than fifty years he has been recording everything that has happened to and around him and, as the years have passed, so the burden of this documentation has grown. And today he has decided to make his last tape.
MR BENN’S TERRIFIC TOUR The play started life as just a title, inspired by the idea of using Krapp’s Last Tape as a template. It wasn’t until I presented so little to writer Andy Barrett that I saw how it could be turned into so much. Using the Tony Benn diaries as the source material Andy then fashioned a funny, touching and passionate play about one of the 20th Century’s most important and controversial politicians. When it was first produced we had no idea of how relevant the play would become or how it would capture people’s imagination. Since those first performances it has been revived twice in Nottingham, enjoyed a month-long run in London and a critically-acclaimed stint at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and it’s far from run its course, with a UK tour and a performance at the House of Commons still to come. From little acorns...
Giles Croft Director of Tony’s Last Tape
Image credits: Tony’s Last Tape, Robert Day, Louise Pearson
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SHOWS
A co-production with Headlong and Almeida Theatre
1984
WEDNESDAY 9 - SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2015 Prior to a World Tour and direct from the West End, this five-star production of Orwell’s dystopian masterpiece 1984 returned to where it first began at Nottingham Playhouse, following two West End runs, a sold-out run at the Almeida, and two critically acclaimed UK tours.
THE RUBENSTEIN KISS FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER - SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2015 This award-winning play is set amidst the McCarthyite hysteria of the Cold War era, where the shadow of suspicion falls on two Communist idealists. Inspired by the true story of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg – who were sent to the electric chair for allegedly passing US atomic secrets to the Russians.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image Credit: 1984, Manuel Harlan; The Rubenstein Kiss, Robert Day
SHOWS
THE DUCHESS OF MALFI FRIDAY 30 OCTOBER SATURDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2015 A secret marriage provokes fury, espionage and bloody murder in one of the most celebrated plays of the Jacobean era. When the Duchess of Malfi marries below her class, her brothers set a dangerous spy against her. Their schemes spiral out of control, until a nightmare engulfs them all. Sponsored by
A co-production with Fifth Word
ALL THE LITTLE LIGHTS TUESDAY 20 THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2015 A fast-paced, passionate and poignant hard‑hitting drama packed with crackling dialogue. When you are young, alone and simply trying to survive, All the Little Lights begs the question, where do you find family and how easy it is to slip through the cracks in society? Writer Jane Upton was awarded the 2016 George Devine Award for All The Little Lights.
Image credits: The Duchess of Malfi, Sheila Burnett; All the Little Lights, Robert Day.
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SHOWS
DICK WHITTINGTON FRIDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2015 SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2016 In Dick Whittington, a poor country lad sets out into the big wide world to seek his fortune, along with his amazing rat-catching cat. But are the city streets really paved with gold? With glittering scenery, fabulous frocks and mesmerising musical numbers, Dick Whittington was a whirl-wind adventure for all the family. Sponsored by
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: Dick Whittington, Robert Day
SHOWS
HARE AND TORTOISE WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER 2015 SATURDAY 2 JANUARY 2016 Hare is always in a rush. Everything is SOOOOO exciting! Tortoise, on the other hand, takes her time, notices the smallest of things and loves every minute, living life to the full. Families followed Hare and Tortoise through the seasons as their wintry world turned firstly to spring and then finally summer as the two friends got ready to race each other! Image credit: Hare & Tortoise, Robert Day
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SHOWS
ANY MEANS NECESSARY FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY - SATURDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2016 Inspired by real-life events, Any Means Necessary is a gripping new play that focused on the human story at the heart of a national scandal. When Mel meets Dave at a protest, she believes she has met her kindred spirit. Before long, Dave becomes central to her life and her activist friends. But is he too good to be true?
BRINGING THE STORY TO THE STAGE Sometimes such a powerful story takes place on one’s doorstep that it’s impossible not to stop and pick it up. The undercover police operation that was revealed by the unmasking of Mark Stone in Nottingham was one such story. Writer Kefi Chadwick and I were put in touch by a barrister representing some of the women involved in the multiple deceptions perpetrated by the police, and it was clear on first meeting that she was the right person for Nottingham Playhouse to commission. As the play was written and rehearsed so the story continued to develop, and Kefi’s close and trusting relationship with the women involved ensured that it was always truthful and never exploitative. Every performance at the Playhouse was emotionally charged, but never more so than when the women whose stories were being told, albeit as fiction, were in attendance. Their support and involvement in the project was vital and both the play and production were a testament to their strength and their integrity.
Giles Croft, Director, Any Means Necessary
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: Any Means Necessary, Robert Day
SHOWS
THE GLASS MENAGERIE FRIDAY 11 - SATURDAY 26 MARCH 2016 One of the most powerful plays of the 20th century, The Glass Menagerie is a tale of love, loss and the disparate hopes and dreams of a family at odds. The Glass Menagerie is seen through the memories of Tom Wingfield, a poet and a dreamer. Constrained by his life working in a warehouse and his tenement apartment, he rebels against the strictures of his controlling mother, Amanda. He escapes through the movies, fulfilling his dreams through the Hollywood greats of the 1930s. Amanda lives by her charm and the steely gentility of her Deep Southern roots, her purpose centred on finding a gentleman caller for her shy and reclusive daughter. But Laura has long since shunned the real world for one of fantasy and escapism – her menagerie of glass animals.
Image credit: The Glass Menagerie, Robert Day.
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MAP
NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE ON THE ROAD BEAUTIFUL THING
Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Birmingham Hippodrome The Lowry, Salford Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford Royal and Derngate, Northampton Curve, Leicester
TONY’S LAST TAPE Bridge House Theatre, London Pleasance Forth, Pleasance Courtyard, Edinburgh
1984 Playhouse Theatre, London Theatre Royal, Bath Arts Centre, Melbourne The Broad Stage, Santa Monica American Repertory Theatre, Boston Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington DC
THE RUBENSTEIN KISS Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
WAVE The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham The Drum, Theatre Royal, Plymouth
ALL THE LITTLE LIGHTS Mansfield Palace Derby Theatre
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Nottingham Playhouse
MAP
HARE & TORTOISE SCHOOLS TOUR All Hallows CoE Primary School, Gedling Crabtree Primary School, Bulwell Glenbrook Primary School,
MANSFIELD
Bilborough
Willow Brook Primary School, Keyworth
NEWARK-ON-TRENT
Melbury Primary School, Bilborough Maun Infant & Primary School, Newark
Stanstead Nursery & Primary School, Rise Park
Fernwood Primary & Nursery School, Wollaton
NOTTINGHAM
Bluebell Hill Primary, St Ann’s Korean School, Beeston Lady Bay Pre-School, Lady Bay Oak Field School & Sports College, Bilborough
Rufford Primary School, Bulwell Robin Hood Primary, Bestwood Park Mansfield Woodhouse Library, Mansfield Woodhouse
Heymann Primary School, West Bridgford John Blow Primary, Newark Lovell House Infant School, Arboreatum Carrington Primary School, Carrington Seely Primary School, Sherwood
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MADE IN NOTTINGHAM
MADE IN NOTTINGHAM Nottingham Playhouse is proud that all our sets, costume and props are made right here in-house by our dedicated production staff. If you imagine it, they can build it...
APRIL 2015
SEPTEMBER 2015
OCTOBER 2015
The Props department created a whole graveyard’s-worth of bones to be smashed on stage every night for A Skull in Connemara.
Multiple miniature versions of St Clements were made for the inside of a snow-globe; a key prop in our smash-hit co-production of 1984.
The opulent green beaded dress in The Duchess of Malfi, designed by Neil Murray, required approx. 40 hours of work by Wardrobe to complete.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image Credits: A Skull in Connemara, Gemma Leggett, Robert Day; 1984, Nathan Rose, Manuel Harlan; The Duchess of Malfi, Neil Murray, Sheila Burnettt
MADE IN NOTTINGHAM
DECEMBER 2015
FEBRUARY 2016
MARCH 2016
From page to stage – Tim Meacock’s extravagant designs for our pantomime Dick Whittington were rendered in glorious technicolour by our Wardrobe department.
Sara Perks’ multi-level staging for Any Means Necessary presented a logistical challenge – but our Production team perfectly executed this Escher‑esque set for our cast to navigate.
The biggest challenge of them all – Tim Meacock’s fire escape for The Glass Menagerie reached such dizzying heights, Chris New had to make his entrance as Tom from the fly tower.
Image credits: Dick Whittington, Tim Meacock, Robert Day; Any Means Necessary, Production Department, Robert Day; The Glass Menagerie, Derek Graham, Robert Day
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VISITING COMPANIES
VISITING COMPANIES
Daniel Kitson and Gavin Osborn Stories For The Starlit Sky
Ishi Khan Jackson The Empty Frame PSYCHEdelight Theatre Company
DRAMA
The Mist In The Mirror Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Blood
Beryl West Yorkshire Playhouse
i know all the secrets in my world Tiata Fahodzi in association with Watford Palace Theatre
Tamasha and Belgrade Theatre Coventry
Women’s Hour
Amsterdam
The Tailor of Inverness
Sh!t Theatre
Chanje Kunda
Dogstar Theatre Company
Wanderlust
COMEDY
The Gramophones
The Siege
Gina Yashere
Love, Life And Laughter
Hardeep Singh Kohli Big Mouth Strikes Again
Nina Conti In Your Face
Festival of the Spoken Nerd Just For Graphs
Andy Hamilton Change Management
Lee Nelson Suited And Booted
Dave Gorman Gets Straight To The Point* (*The Powerpoint)
Henning Wehn
Freedom Theatre of Jenin
Laugh Riot
Fortnight
Stewart Francis
Pam Ann
Proto-type
Pun Gent
Queen Of The Sky
Beyond Cragporth Rock
Tim Vine
Stewart Lee
Haste Theatre
Tim Timinee Tim Timinee Tim Tim To You
A Room With A Stew
Ava Hunt
Upfront Comedy
This Show Has A Soundtrack
Phoenix Rising
The Harder They Laugh
Acting Alone
Eastwood Productions
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Nottingham Playhouse
The Horne Section
Eins, Zwei, DIY
Chris Martin Josh Widdicombe What Do I Do Now? Image credit: Beryl, Keith Pattison
VISITING COMPANIES Brian Conley Alive And Dangerous
Richard Alston Dance Company Ballet Boyz
Jeanette Winterson On Shakespeare
So Comedy Live LipService
The Talent
Simon Schama
Ballet Black
The Face Of Britain
The Picture of Doreen Gray
The Second Coming
Touretteshero
Episodes 15 Gedling Ballet School MADD Gala Showcase Katie Wright School of Dance
Backstage in Biscuit Land
Russell Kane Right Man, Wrong Age
FAMILY
Wind in the Willows Immersion Theatre and Cambridge Touring Theatre
Musicians of Bremen Sea Legs Puppet Theatre
Ministry of Science: Live
Mrs McMoon’s Tea Party Katie Cooper and Worboys Productions
Aliens Love Underpants Big Wooden Horse and Nick Brooke Ltd
Journey of Turtle Lempen Puppet Theatre
MUSIC
Live & Local 2.0 Alasdair Roberts Georgie Fame in Concert Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes Motown’s Greatest Hits How Sweet It Is
The Tannahill Weavers The Johnny Cash Roadshow
Sir Roger Moore Richard Dawkins A Life In Science
Owen Jones The Politics Hope
Marian Keyes Anne Reid I Love To Sing
Gordon Buchanan Lost Adventures
Jay Rayner A Night Of Food And Agony Say Sum Thin 9 & 10
FILM
Special Flight
TALKS AND SPOKEN WORD David Sedaris
DANCE
Candoco Dance Company The Show Must Go On
Image credit: Ballet Black, Bill Cooper
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ASSOCIATE ARTISTS
MOUTHY POETS Fifty strong youth collective Mouthy Poets produced another two spoken word shows during the past year. There was a packed carnival-themed event for for Say Sum Thin 9 in July 2015, hosting local talent including youth dance team Zodiac, rap battlers, musicians and drag queen Kitty Tray. Say Sum Thin 10 in 2016 showcased headliners Raymond Antrobus and Deanna Rodger. They continued to run their regular Friday workshop sessions aimed at supporting writers aged 16 – 30, developing them as writers and performers as well supporting them on a variety of career paths. They provided educators as part of an Education Programme in Nottinghamshire, delivering workshops in schools and other community settings as well as providing performers for fundraising and awareness events across the region. In October 2015 they visited sister collective Lowenmaul in Germany in the first stage of an Erasmus Exchange. They also completed the final leg of a national tour and delivered two writing retreats in association with Arvon Foundation (one residential and one day attendance).
FIFTH WORD In Autumn 2015, Fifth Word staged All The Little Lights, their first production as Associate Artists at Nottingham Playhouse. They also presented the first Fifth Word Award for Most Promising Playwright in partnership with Nottingham Playhouse. After 102 entries were received from across the East Midlands, Leicester-based Toby Campion was announced as the winner, for his first play, Wreck. The award included a 12 month attachment with Fifth Word where Toby received £2000 and a mentor to work with him over the year to create a new play.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: All the Little Lights, Robert Day; Mouthy Poets, Sinéad Bevan
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS
ANDREW BREAKWELL Andrew spent a considerable amount of time in 2015-16 preparing for the production of The Underground Man, adapted by Nick Wood from the novel by Mick Jackson, which he would be directing in September 2016. In November 2015, Andrew utilised his performance skills as part of the company reading episodes from BS Johnson’s The Unfortunates, retitled But I KnowThis City! by Andy Barrett for the Being Human Festival, and performed at venues all over Nottingham. In early 2016, Nick Wood and Andrew also recreated the suite of four plays they produced last year for performance in Lincoln Castle Prison, adding a new, much funnier episode from nineteenth century prison life. Andrew continued to contribute to the assessment programme of Arts Council England, undertaking two in-depth observations of arts programmes in schools in the Doncaster area, and developing a better appreciation and understanding of current classroom practice.
GARETH MORGAN Gareth co-produced Nottingham’s first FONT Fest fringe theatre festival in May 2015 and directed three rehearsed readings by local writers as part of the event. The fortnightly writers’ group, Write Club, hosted by Gareth at Nottingham Playhouse, had three terms of well attended sessions, and he read over 70 scripts as part of the Playhouse’s unsolicited scripts submissions programme. He was a script judge on the Most Promising Playwright award for Fifth Word, in association with Nottingham Playhouse. Kings, a play he first read when working for Theatre Writing Partnership back in 2011 – and has been advocating for ever since - was given a rehearsed reading in the Neville Studio. Further afield, he was an Associate Producer on Play Shuffle for In Good Company at both Derby Theatre and Attenborough Arts Centre, an Associate Artist on Thorney Beginnings..., Bolsover Bingo and But I Know This City! for Excavate, and Dramaturg on Thrive (Toby Ealden/Zest Theatre), Reverend Racoon (Sheep Prod Theatre) and Dancehall (Esther Richardson/Cast in Doncaster).
Image credit: Andrew Breakwell, Alan Fletcher; Gareth Morgan, James Mulkeen
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SCHOOLS MASSIVE
SCHOOLS MASSIVE 2016 saw the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death marked in theatres across the world, and here at Nottingham Playhouse we decided to put young people at the heart of our celebrations. Schools Massive was a hugely ambitious project which involved working with ten local schools (primary and secondary) helping to prepare 430 young people for the opportunity to perform The Tempest on our main stage. Shakespeare wrote his plays to be performed and enjoyed (rather than studied and dissected) and this is the best way to get young people excited about them. Working alongside teachers in schools, the Playhouse’s Participation department helped the young people bring the play to life. On Wednesday 2 March 2016, all the preparation and rehearsal came to fruition in two performances for an invited audience. We are used to welcoming large groups of young people to the Playhouse to see plays, but this was the first time we welcomed so many young people into the building to actually perform. The atmosphere was incredible and the young people all performed brilliantly. It was wonderful to see them telling this great story on our main stage with such confidence and joy, and we hope they will always feel that the Playhouse really does belong to them.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: Schools Massive, Alan Fletcher
SCHOOLS MASSIVE
PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS Haydn Primary School Seely Primary School Carrington Primary School Oak Field School Trinity School William Booth Primary School Redhill Secondary Academy Warren Primary Academy Edna G Olds Academy Kirkby Woodhouse Primary School Awsworth Primary School 2015/16 Annual Review
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PARTICIPATION
PARTICIPATION Our Participation Department continued to spread the joy of live theatre across the city and county in 2015/16. This included working in-house with our Youth Theatre groups, reaching out to schools and engaging people who have limited access to theatre in their lives.
THE UGLY DUCKLING
IN COLLABORATION WITH COMBAT BULLYING In 2015, 17 young people from an organisation called Combat Bullying took part in a project at Nottingham Playhouse to rehearse and perform a piece about bullying and its impact. The majority of the young people involved had directly experienced bullying, with the others wanting to raise awareness. Aged between 6-14 years old, most had no stage experience or much knowledge about the process of putting on a play. After months of rehearsals, the group performed their version of The Ugly Duckling to packed audiences in our Neville Studio.
AUDIENCE MEMBER: “I thought the show was fantastic, it was very sensitive and beautiful in its form. I loved the integration of the movement and the word; it was lovely, I really enjoyed it.” PRESS REVIEW: "The Ugly Duckling at The Neville Studio may be a short and sweet production but the results for the children performing may have positive effects lasting for their whole lives.” Phil Lowe
PARTICIPANT: “It’s been really good and helpful for me. I like that it’s helped me be more confident and that I will be helping people in the same situation as me and showing them how to be happy too.” Charlie T, age 10 Thanks to Councillor John Doddy for funding this project.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: The Ugly Duckling, Nathan Powell
PARTICIPATION
BULWELL YOUTH THEATRE – ON TOUR! Bulwell was the site of our first Community Youth Theatre, funded by a BBC Performing Arts Award back in 2014. In 2015, they embarked on a tour to local primary schools, performing the devised piece Little Red. This was a modern retelling of Red Riding Hood explored through text and physical theatre. 20 young people aged 10 – 14 from Bulwell Youth Theatre took part in the piece.
Arts Festival and then taken to the Belgrade Theatre Coventry for the Inspiring Curiosity Festival. Bulwell’s success inspired us to set up our SHINE Appeal to fund further community youth theatres in Nottingham. Turn to page 30 to find out more!
This piece was also performed at Nottingham Castle, Mansfield Old Library, Nottingham Playhouse, Bulwell
Image credit: Little Red, Allie Spencer
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PARTICIPATION
MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM A YEAR IN PARTICIPATION
OUR FIRST TECHNICAL WORK EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 14 – 17.
22 young people spent a week with us in July 2015 learning about stage management, lighting, sound, props and costume. Amongst many other things they learnt how to mark out a stage, programme a lighting and sound board, how to cue a show and demonstrated what they had learnt on the last day to family and friends in a short performance.
1. 3.
4.
ENABLED UPSTART - WORK EXPERIENCE FOR LEARNING DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE.
2.
PARTICIPATION PERFORMANCES 2015/16 1. ADVANCED YOUTH THEATRE: DRACULA
“The performances of all of the cast is to be commended.” ItsMuchMore.com
2. SENIOR YOUTH THEATRE: THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR 3. PLAYHOUSE ENSEMBLE: ANIMAL FARM
“The audience was left captivated as the Neville Studio hosted an impressive performance from an electric cast.” LeftLion
4. PLAYHOUSE SUMMER SCHOOL: GREASE 28
Nottingham Playhouse
10 young people aged 15 – 19 spent a week with us in the Neville studio in September 2015 exploring Romeo and Juliet and learning about elements of theatre including costume, props and marketing. They performed a 15 minute Romeo and Juliet to friends, family and school peers on the Friday afternoon before being presented with certificates recognising their achievements. Participation would like to thank the following organisations for funding received in 2015: The Boots Charitable Trust for funding our forthcoming In House project, and The Amanda Lee Charitable Trust for supporting our relaxed performances.
Image credits: Dracula, Animal Farm, Grease, The Government Inspector all Nicola Payne
ACCESS
ACCESS FOR ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES Nottingham Playhouse prides itself on being accessible for both artists looking to develop their work, and audiences no matter their requirements.
SUPPORTING ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS
REHEARSED READING: 1997 by Ian Oxslade REHEARSED READING: Kings by Daniel Hoffmann-Gill Development continued for performance in April 2016 REHEARSED READING: Dead Boy Café by Grant Corr Most Promising Playwright Award 2015, in association with Fifth Word The winner Toby Campion received a 12-month attachment with Fifth Word, £2000 and a mentor to work with him over the year to create a new play. The Party's Over by Edward Boott (Nonsuch Theatre) Two by Jim Cartwright Directed by Rachel Ross as part of the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme. The Beautiful Game (Next Door Dance) Scratch Nights Starting in February 2016, our new regular session of work-in-progress sharings for emerging artists from across the region, working in any artform.
SUPPORTING AUDIENCES
Gave 42 accessible performances, including captioned, BSL-interpreted, audio described and relaxed performances. Held 5 weekly accessible/inclusive Youth Theatres Took part in Disabled Access Day, providing opportunities for people to come and find out about our accessible performances and see backstage. Developed a close relationship with Nottingham Deaf Society, leading to the start of BSL-interpreted pre-show talks and a commitment to gathering feedback. 2 Relaxed Performances for the schools tour of Hare and Tortoise Increased our reach with our Pay What You Can Performances - 54% of bookers were first time attenders.
Image credits: Most Promising Playwright Award, Mark Fear; Caption board, Rebecca Jordan
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FUNDRAISING
In August 2015, we launched our fundraising appeal to start community youth theatres in disadvantaged areas of the county that would be free for children and young people to take part in. Since that date, we have:
R AISED £17,027.83 OPENED A NEW COMMUNITY YOUTH THEATRE IN ST ANN’S AND CONTINUED TO OPERATE IN BULWELL. MADE PLANS TO OPEN NEW COMMUNITY YOUTH THEATRES IN SHERWOOD, BRAMCOTE AND MANSFIELD IN 2016! THANKS TO: • Sir John Eastwood Foundation • Gedling Borough Council • Broxtowe Borough Council • Our pantomime audiences for putting money in our bucket collections • Sylvia Draycott and Liz Squires for their community fundraising • Over 900 audience members who made donations when booking tickets. • Councillor John Doddy
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Nottingham Playhouse
FUNDRAISING
50:50 In 2015/16 we continued to receive donations to our 50/50 campaign, now in its 3rd year. During this period we:
RAISED £5132.32 GAVE AWAY 1451 TICKETS, TO PEOPLE OFTEN COMING TO THE THEATRE FOR THE FIRST TIME WELCOMED AUDIENCE MEMBERS FROM THE FOLLOWING GROUPS;
Children in Care, Home-start, Double Impact, NCC Language Café, British Red Cross, Integritas, Right Choice Housing Association, Nottingham Refugee Forum, SEA Partnership, Nottingham Womens Centre, Framework Housing Association, Explore Family, Nottingham Central Womens Aid, Bright Ideas, and food banks across Nottingham City.
THANKS TO: • Gedling Borough Council • Over 800 audience members who made donations when booking tickets
FEEDBACK FROM OUR 50:50 BENEFICIARIES “I sat next to my dearest beloved friend Donald… We are of the age group that would rather starve than not pay our bills – so naturally we’ve always had to prioritise. Therefore – had it not been for the kindness of the persons concerned with giving us a free ticket – Donald would have lived and died without ever entering a theatre and I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be a child again. Watching your wonderful pantomime brought happy childhood memories back – it was great.” Freda
“We are a local charity supporting adults with complex and social needs... Due to their social situations they would not have been able to attend without your generosity. The Pantomime provided a space for them to have a much needed break from the routine and difficulties of their daily lives and enjoy the Christmas festivities, for which we are very grateful.” Integritas
Image credits: (left page) 2015 Autumn Half Term Youth Theatre, Nathan Powell; Dracula Youth Theatre rehearsal, Nicola Payne; 2015 Autumn Half Term Youth Theatre, Nathan Powell
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STAFF
THE NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE TEAM 2015-16 NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE STAFF Thomas Adcock Rachel Amery Ben Anderson Ria Ashcroft Jessica Astley Kathryn Bainbridge-Wilson Mark Bamford Tom Barnes Stephanie Bartle Andy Bartlett Rachel Bates Christine Baxter Ian Bearder Manya Benenson Sinéad Bevan Brent Biggam Martin Blee Karl Bock Fiona Buffini Andrew Bullett Pamela Bullett Louise Carney Tom Caudwell Max Chadwick Jonathan Child Jessie Clark Giles Croft Emily Croxford James Curtis Martin Curtis
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Nottingham Playhouse
Rebecca Dallman Alexander Daniel Olwen Davies Mark Dawson Nicola Dawson Clare Devine Nigel Dickinson Sheila Dixon Nigel Eaton Jane Eliot-Webb Jen Ellis Tony Emery Valerie Evans Jade Fawcett Henry Filloux-Bennett Erin Fleming Heather Flinders Janine Forster Emma Fowler Derek Graham Emma Greenhalgh Kristy Guest Phillip Gunn William Hall Carol Harmer Sharlene Harvard-Young Alex Hatton Katy Hautz Stuart Hegarty Karla Henry Karon Hill Nikki Hill Owen Hill
Tori Hope Chris Howitt Brian Humpherson Dale Hurren Cindy Hutchinson Kirsty Hutchinson Laura Hutchinson Jayne Hyman Tracy James Sanpreet Janjua Tom Jeavons Lucy Jenkins David Jones Lydia Jones Roddy Jones Rebecca Jordan Will Kenny Rob Kettridge Jessica Kemp Josh Knott Imogen Lea Stuart Lambert Michelle Leek Gemma Leggett Georgie Levers Acaycia Lewis Geoff Linney Dino Loizou Katie Luckhurst Darren Mafficci Gregory Malone Alix Manning Jones Giada Maran
Richard Marson Mufaro Makubika Valentine Makubika Hannah McBrien Livia McLauchlan Jo McLeish Callum McRobbie Sooki McShane Ellis Middleton Sophie Morrell Claire Moss Judith Moulton Ali Murray Sam Nicholson Lisa Shipman Joanna Sigsworth Sam Smallman Jamie Smith Vickki Maiden Eliot Martin Gary Miller Maddie Monte Nick Morris Clare Moss Alex Moxon Andy Nairn Jess Niemz Sam Nicholson John Noton Nick Oakden Laura Osei-Bonsu Orkut Otcikin Tom Parsons
STAFF
Hannah Payne Elaine Pearson Louise Pearson Anne Pierpoint Aurora Postle Ollie Poulter Nathan Powell Lewis Prescott Paul Preston Kirk Ratcliffe Simon Raven Oliver Read Richard Renshaw Sarah Richard Dave Richardson Sarah Rickard Steve Ridgway Charlotte Ridley Jill Robertshaw Lauren Robinson Milton Robinson Kate Robotham Nathan Rose Aneela Samrai Dominika Sarosi Graham Saxby Jacob Seelochan Justine Sharp Sabrina Shaw Kat Shooter Sheila Sisson Stephanie Sirr Myra Slack
Simeon Small Julian Smith Ollie Smith Allie Spencer Sarah Stephenson Hannah Stone Sarah Storey Dominico Stravino Lauren Stredder Richard Surgay Victoria Sutton Richard Swift Sheldon Talbot Claire Thompson Andrew Tinley Tony Topping Amy Townson Lucy Tregear Michael Turton Helen Tye Be Wade Jeremy Walker Patricia Walsh Andrew Weaver William Welch Bridie Wild Tim Wheelhouse Paul White Michael Whittington Cherelle Wilks Stephen Williams Susan Yeoman Richard Zamorski
VOLUNTEERS Ilija Barosevcic Karl Bloch Louise Carney Lynn Coxon Lisa De Vivo Sylvia Draycott Teri Forey Katy Gore Jake Harrison Sus MacCormick Andrew Pearce Liz Squires Nieves Zuniga
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Cllr Cat Arnold Cllr Steve Battlemuch Andy Batty David Belbin Tim Challans Harvey Goodman Caroline Shutter (Chair) Paul Southby Michelle Vacciana
MEMBERS Katie Aungles Dan Baker Andy Barrett
Fred Brookes Michaela Butter MBE Sue Cullen Sue Dewey OBE Stephanie Drakes Jonathan English Rastarella Falade Helen Flach Mark Fletcher Cllr Brian Grocock Roger Harcourt Suma Harding Cllr Stan Heptinstall Tom Huggon Cressida Laywood Thulani Molife Howard Morris Bernadette O’Driscoll Cllr Jill Owen Cllr Michael Payne Prof. John Pike OBE Mich Stevenson David Stewart OBE Helen Tarver David Tilly Simon White Cllr John Wilmott Tony Wills Dorothy Wilson Cllr Malcolm Wood Rod Wood
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STAFF
CAST AND CREATIVES 2015-16 ACTORS James Austin Harvey Vanessa Babirye Peter Bray Patrick Brennan Philip Bretherton Charlie Brooks Ellie Burrow Esther-Grace Button Paul Carroll Matthew Chase Simon Coates Joe Coen Beatrice Comins Steve Conlin Jo Dockery Daniel Donskoy Rhys Dunlop Tim Dutton John Elkington Robert Ellis Elizabeth Eves Stephen Fewell Mark Field Jim Findley Tim Frater Paddy Glynn Simon Haines Susannah Harker Janine Harouni Sarah Hoare Anthony Hoggard Adam Horvath
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Nottingham Playhouse
Lisa Howard Sam Jackson Anna Jaques Chris Jared Cornell S John Nicholas Karimi Phoebe Kemp Gerard McCarthy Lily-Lowe Myers Thomas Law Natalie Law Rebecca Little Katherine Manners Ged McKenna Kevin McGowan Chris New Louise Mai Newberry Christopher Patrick Nolan Samuel Oatley Tessie Orange-Turner Ben Porter Beatriz Romilly Gillian Saker Rebecca Sarker Jamie Satterthwaite Kate Sissons Matthew Spencer Mandi Symons Natalie Taylor Gray Amy Trigg Victoria Todd Matthew Wait Jasmine White Christopher Wollaton
MUSICIANS
WRITERS
Ian Maclean Matt Marks John Morton John Porter John Watterson
Andy Barrett Gill Brigg Kefi Chadwick Jonathan Harvey Robert Icke Martin McDonagh Duncan Macmillan Brendan Murray James Philips Kenneth Alan Taylor John Webster Tennessee Williams Jane Upton
PANTO CHORUS Lauryn Brewin Emma Coleman Annabelle Davies Marly-Rae Gaunt Ellie Hudswell Georgia Hunt Lucy Lane Lucy May Jessica Melbourne Olivia Neville Lucy Phillips Jessica Reilly Elia Sarricchio Malaika Singh Laura Smith Jessica Stone Jade Tolley Elise Waters Holly Whitehall Alice Wilson
DIRECTORS Fiona Buffini Giles Croft Laura Ford Nikolai Foster Natasha Holmes Robert Icke Angharad Jones Duncan Macmillan Allie Spencer Kenneth Alan Taylor Zoe Waterman
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DESIGNERS
SOUND DESIGNERS
FIGHT DIRECTORS
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS
Madeleine Girling Bronia Housman Rachael Jacks Chloe Lamford Sarah Lewis Sophia Lovell Smith Tim Meacock Neil Murray Sara Perks Colin Richmond
Martin Curtis George Dennis Tom Gibbon Edward Lewis Peter Malkin (Associate) Adam P McCready
Philip D’Orléans Jude Poyer
Andrew Breakwell Gareth Morgan Fifth Word Mouthy Poets
LIGHTING DESIGNERS Steph Bartle Natasha Chivers Ben Cracknell Martin Curtis Chris Davey Mark Howland Mark Jonathan Richard G Jones Ian Scott Zoe Spurr (Associate) Jason Taylor
MUSICAL DIRECTORS/ COMPOSERS Matt Marks Adam P McCready John Morton Jon Nicholls
VIDEO /PROJECTION DESIGNERS Tim Reid Ian Valkeith (Associate)
CHOREOGRAPHERS/ MOVEMENT DIRECTORS Adele Parry Amanda Hall
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Rupert Hands Daniel Raggett James Turner-Donnelly
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS Adele Parry Rachel Ross
VOICE COACHES Sally Hague
CHAPERONES Janet Barnes Sharon Barr Angela Beere Karen Broughton Mary Buttle Lucille Denkinson Jayne Kirkham Nicola Kirkham Michelle Leek Janet Pavier
COSTUME SUPERVISORS Alison Cartledge Jess Richardson-Smith Holly White
CASTING DIRECTORS Lucy Jenkins CDG Kay Magson CDG Sooki McShane CDG Ginny Schiller CDG
2015/16 Annual Review
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NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE WELLINGTON CIRCUS NOTTINGHAM NG1 5AF
BOX OFFICE 0115 941 9419 NOTTINGHAMPLAYHOUSE.CO.UK Cover image credits: The Duchess of Malfi, Sheila Burnettt; The Glass Menagerie, Robert Day.