ANNUAL REVIEW
2016-17
SPONSORS
OUR WORK WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES We would like to thank thank the businesses who supported our work throughout the year with their much valued sponsorship of Nottingham Playhouse. We’re proud to have such close relationships with companies in our city who help us to fulfil our mission of creating world class theatre that’s as diverse as the community we serve. Their support ensures we can welcome everyone to Nottingham Playhouse. Thank you.
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Nottingham Playhouse
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME In a year of new milestones for Nottingham Playhouse, we were pleased to reach more people, make stronger connections and provide more access to our work than ever before. We started the year with The Government Inspector, the inaugural Ramps on The Moon production. We are proud to be part of a consortium of six organisations, in association with Graeae Theatre Company, who have committed to providing greater opportunities for D/deaf and disabled artists. 2017 saw us smash all previous Playhouse Box Office records, with our biggest selling theatre production ever, Touched. The casting of Vicky McClure, in her first professional theatrical production, made headlines but the combination of a Nottingham playwright, a cast of local actors and a story set firmly in the heart of the city resulted in a fantastic production which really resonated with our audiences.
Image credit: The Government Inspector, Robert Day
We reached new people and forged stronger connections in the theatrical community thanks to co-productions with Northern Stage, Nuffield Southampton, West Yorkshire Playhouse, ajtc and New Perspectives Theatre Company. All The Little Lights (our co‑production with associate artists Fifth Word) and Tony’s Last Tape both went out on acclaimed UK tours, and Tony even made a pit-stop to perform for MPs in the Houses of Parliament. Our fundraising efforts continued apace, with our SHINE appeal flying past its target (largely thanks to our generous Panto audiences), leading to the opening of seven new youth theatres across the city and 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.
Stephanie Sirr
Giles Croft
Caroline Shutter
Chief Executive
Artistic Director
Chair
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PEOPLE AND PLACES
NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE AROUND THE UK NOISES OFF
Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne Nuffield Theatre, Southampton
THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR Birmingham Rep New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds Theatre Royal Stratford East Liverpool Playhouse Sheffield Theatres
Llanbedr Village Hall, Crickhowell
SLEUTH
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds
Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield Mumford Theatre, Cambridge Mercury Theatre, Colchester The Core at Corby Cube
TONY’S LAST TAPE
ALL THE LITTLE LIGHTS
THE UNDERGROUND MAN
Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford The Courtyard, Hereford Aberangell Village Hall, Machynlleth Theatr Twm o’r Nant, Denbigh The Market Theatre, Ledbury Everyman Studio Theatre, Cheltenham The Hawth Studio, Crawley The Beggar’s Theatre, Millom The Forum, Northallerton Eden Court Theatre, Inverness The Brunton, Musselburgh The Byre Theatre, St Andrews Innellan Village Hall, Argyll & Bute Theatre Royal, Margate The Civic, Barnsley The Lady Margaret Hall, Welbeck West End Centre, Aldershot Market Place Theatre, Armagh Island Arts Centre, Lisburn Down Arts Centre, Downpatrick Swallow Theatre, Whithorn, Wigtownshire Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal York Theatre Royal Lincoln Drill Hall
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Nottingham Playhouse
After two runs at the Playhouse, and a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015, Tony hit the road again in 2016 for a nationwide tour. But perhaps his most important appointment was in Westminster, where the show was performed as part of Nottingham in Parliament day. The select audience included Tony’s son and daughter, Hilary and Melissa Benn. Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield Everyman Theatre, Liverpool Torch Theatre, Milford Haven Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea Merlin Theatre, Frome Stamford Arts Centre Lincoln Drill Hall Gala Theatre, Durham Grand Theatre (Studio), Blackpool Brewhouse Arts Centre, Burton North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford Bridge House Theatre, Warwick
Theatre Royal Wakefield Birmingham Rep Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli Mercury Theatre, Colchester Hull Truck Theatre Quarry Theatre, Bedford Tron Theatre, Glasgow Oxford Playhouse Stamford Arts Centre Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Theatre Royal Plymouth
THE KITE RUNNER
The kites fly on – in December 2016, Giles Croft’s production entered the West End, three years after it first premiered at Nottingham Playhouse. During the run, which enjoyed sold out performances and further critical acclaim, the cast also took to the stage to condemn Donald Trump’s immigration ban on all Muslims entering the US. Wyndham’s Theatre, London
PEOPLE AND PLACES
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG
All Hallows CoE Primary School, Gedling Glenbrook Primary School, Bilborough Willowbrook Primary School Oaktree Primary Stanstead Nursery and Primary School Seely Infant & Nursery School Rufford Primary School Blue Bell Hill Primary School Kirby Woodhouse John Blow Primary School QMC Children’s Hospital School (The Chapel) Lady Bay Preschool School Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary Academy Fairfield Preparatory School Mansfield Woodhouse, Worksop Library Melbury Primary School Oakfield School & Specialist Sports College Fernwood Primary & Nursery School Crabtree Farm Primary TO MANSFIELD AND WORKSOP
CALVERTON
HUCKNALL
GEDLING
NOTTINGHAM
TO COLLINGHAM
BEESTON LONG EATON
RUDDINGTON KEYWORTH
TO LOUGHBOROUGH AND LEICESTER
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REVIEWS
HHHH “THE PUNCH-UPS
AND PRATFALLS ARE PEERLESSLY EXECUTED” The Guardian - Noises Off
“A POWERFUL AND MOVING, OFTEN FUNNY PIECE OF WORK” Nottingham Post - Kings
HHHH “MAGNIFICENTLY FRESH AND INNOVATIVE”
What’s On Stage - The Government Inspector
HHHHH
“A SURE FIRE HIT”
East Midlands Theatre - Sleuth
“A QUIETLY STRANGE, ORIGINAL AND RIVETING PIECE OF THEATRE.” Nottingham Post - The Underground Man
“SUPREMELY STYLISH”The Times - Darkness, Darkness
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Nottingham Playhouse
REVIEWS
“A VISUAL DELIGHT, WITH HUMOUR AND HORROR” LeftLion - The Revenger’s Tragedy
HHHHH
“A SWEET YET THOUGHTPROVOKING TALE.”
Mumsnet - The Princess and the Frog
HHHH
“WILDLY FUNNY AND BEAUTIFULLY STAGED PANTOMIME” The Stage - Aladdin
“POSSIBLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST REGIONAL SHOWS IN THE COUNTRY.” British Theatre Guide - Touched
HHHH
“EXQUISITE... A BEGUILING JOURNEY INTO THE PAST” Daily Mail - Touched
Image credits: (left) The Government Inspector, (this page) Aladdin, Robert Day
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FACTS AND FIGURES
THE YEAR IN FIGURES
TOTAL BOOKERS
24,961
AVERAGE TICKET YIELD
69
%
£17.50
130,747
TOTAL NUMBER O EVENTS F
£3,412,870
2263
V
tickets sold
Earned income
Subsidy of total turnover
PAY WHAT YOU CAN
PERCENTAGE OF LOCAL AUTHORITY FUNDING COMPARED TO TURNOVER Nottingham Playhouse
NUMBER OF FIRST TIME BOOKERS
9010
655
75
ACTORS HIRED
31 %
£1,510,003
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TOTAL TICKETS
3%
Subsidy per head from Nottingham City Council
£1.05
Subsidy per head from Arts Council England
£10.71
SHOWS
A co-production with Northern Stage and Nuffield, Southampton
NOISES OFF SATURDAY 9 - SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2016 As a touring troupe desperately try to hold their shambolic production of ‘Nothing On’ together and with under 24 hours to go until curtain-up, it’s downhill all the way through their dress rehearsal as backstage antics, forgotten lines, not-so-secret romances, hilarious malfunctions and a tin of sardines threaten to result in a disastrous first performance. Image credit: Noises Off, Robert Day
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SHOWS
KINGS WEDNESDAY 20 - SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2016 A new play brimming with black humour, celebrating the strong friendships of a group of men living in a Nottingham hostel. One of the residents, Wayne, is finally moving into his own flat, forcing his friends to examine their own lives over Jaffa Cakes, Special Brew and a bit of a sing-song.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: Kings, Robert Day
SHOWS A co-production with Ramps on The Moon
THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR WEDNESDAY 4 - SATURDAY 14 MAY 2016 The Mayor is in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent visit from a Government Inspector. His fear is well-founded as he has been somewhat lacking in his official duties. Surely the only possible solution is bribery, but a simple case of mistaken identity leads matters to spiral hysterically out of control. Could it be that they have met their match in the complicated business of deception?
Image credit: The Government Inspector, Robert Day.
OUR WORK WITH RAMPS ON THE MOON In 2016, our partnership with Ramps on the Moon produced its first touring show – The Government Inspector. A groundbreaking six-year touring project funded by Arts Council England, Ramps on the Moon’s creation signals a step change in disability arts provision in the UK and will reframe the inclusion and integration of D/deaf and disabled individuals in the UK theatre sector. Ramps on the Moon brings together a collaborative network of six National Portfolio Organisation theatres: New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Birmingham Rep, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and strategic partner Graeae Theatre Company. Nottingham Playhouse is proud to be part of a network committed to offering opportunities to disabled people by putting disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their programmes, to further the mainstreaming of disability arts and culture. Each venue will co-produce shows over consecutive years, aiming to give all the organisations direct experience of working with disabled artists and learning how to develop disabled audiences. This will teach each theatre how to integrate disabled people into everything they do going forward, create a collaborative circuit of regional theatres and address the current low levels of attendance by disabled audiences. Disabled artists will form a minimum of 50% of the creative team; sign language, captioning and audio description will be embedded in the productions – and organisations will be connecting with disabled audiences in each area and beyond. With the success of The Government Inspector, which went on to be nominated for an Olivier award, there are great things ahead. 2016/17 Annual Review
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SHOWS
neat16 TUESDAY 17 MAY – SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2016 Nottingham’s city-wide arts festival returned after a two-year hiatus with a fantastic and exciting programme of theatre, film, dance, literature, music, exhibitions and more, across multiple venues. neat16 at Nottingham Playhouse delivered a packed programme of amazing new work designed to fascinate, challenge and uplift. It showcased the best of every art-form and offered a remarkable amount of choice – new writing or re‑imagined classics, grand opera or contemporary art, new talent or old masters, hip-hop or household names.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: Schools Massive, Alan Fletcher
SHOWS
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SHOWS
A co-production with West Yorkshire Playhouse
SLEUTH
FRIDAY 9 - SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2016 Andrew Wyke is a rich and successful mystery writer whose obsession with playing games is in danger of losing him everything. Luring his wife’s lover Milo to his country pile, Andrew persuades him to take part in a specially created challenge.Before long their power struggle descends into a sinister and deadly duel of wits, where nothing is off-limits.
A co-production with New Perspectives
DARKNESS, DARKNESS FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2016 Detective Charlie Resnick is on the verge of retirement when DI Catherine Njoroge convinces him to take on one more case following the discovery of the body of Jenny Hardwick, a young woman who disappeared during the bitterly-fought miners’ strike 30 years earlier. As Resnick and Njoroge’s investigation unfolds, old wounds sustained on the Nottinghamshire picket lines are re-opened and memories of broken relationships resurface.
THE REVENGER’S TRAGEDY FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2016 Imagine a world without justice, where the rich and powerful do what they like and get away with murder. The Revenger’s Tragedy takes us behind the scenes in this world of glamour, riches and celebrity. Entering this lawless universe, Vindice thirsts for justice and plans a dazzling revenge for the murder of his sweetheart. As he is drawn further and further into the dark heart of this group, is he in danger of becoming just as bad as the amoral people he despises?
Sponsored by
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credits: Sleuth; Darkness, Darkness and The Revengers Tragedy, Robert Day.
SHOWS
2016/17 Annual Review
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SHOWS
A co-production with ajtc
THE UNDERGROUND MAN THURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 2016 William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, The Fifth Duke of Portland, is an eccentric Nottinghamshire aristocrat whose imagination and curiosity know no bounds. This deceptively simple man struggles to come to terms with a world that is teeming with new knowledge, ill-founded opinion and gossip. Why does he hide himself away at Welbeck Abbey? What is his fascination with tunnels? Will he ever unearth the secrets hidden in his memory?
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG THURSDAY 8 - SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2016 Once upon a time the rather spoilt Princess Fenella stole a beautiful golden ball to play with in the palace gardens. Then suddenly – ooops – she dropped and lost it! Thankfully, Filbert the Frog came to help her, but on one condition: he wanted to be allowed into the palace. And so began their most unlikely friendship…
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credits: The Underground Man and The Princess and the Frog, Alan Fletcher
SHOWS
TOUCHED FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2017 The promise of a brave new world has arrived with peace in Europe and the election of the first ever Labour government. But the fighting is not yet over. With her husband away at war and having lost her son in a tragic car accident during the blackout, Sandra is torn apart by grief. Meanwhile, her sisters – the brash Joan and naïve Betty – are brimming with hope for the future and the possibilities of new lives ahead for all of them. Sponsored by
ALADDIN FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2016 SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2017 Aladdin has everything you could wish for in a festive treat for all the family: spectacular sets, dazzling song and dance numbers, eye-popping costumes and familiar friends. It’s a magic carpet ride full of adventure as our hero attempts to win the heart of the beautiful Princess Jasmine. Just watch out for the evil magician Abanazar, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the all-powerful magic lamp. Sponsored by
Image credit: Aladdin and Touched, Robert Day.
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VISITING COMPANIES
VISITING COMPANIES
Jonathan Pie Live David O’Doherty Big Time Count Arthur Strong
COMEDY
DRAMA Different is Dangerous Two’s Company
A Girl and A Gun Louise Orwin The Hitchhikers Guide to the Family Ben Norris
Cathy Cardboard Citizens Call Mr Robeson Tayo Aluka and Friends
Love Life No Sat Nav Unanima Theatre
The Collector Kathryn Barker Productions
Police Cops This Theatre Richard III A One Woman Show
Rob Delaney Meat Tour Graeme of Thrones All-Star Stand-Up Tour 2016 Grumpy Old Women Star Wars MissImp Rhymes Against Humanity MissImp Comedy Summerfest Russell Howard Work In Progress Rich Hall Live Jenny Eclair How To Be A Middle Aged Woman
Miles Jupp Songs Of Freedom Hans Teeuwen Real Rancour Julian Clary The Joy Of Mincing Russell Brand Jeremy Hardy Marcus Brigstocke
Brite Theatre
Why The Long Face?
Cartoonopolis
Romesh Ranganathan Irrational John Shutleworth
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse
Love Sick All In Theatre Home Fozen Light in association with New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
Letters To Windsor House Sh!t Theatre
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Nottingham Playhouse
My Last Will and Tasty Mint
Ishi Khan- Jackson ImMIGRANT! Richard Herring The Best Reduced Shakespeare Company William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged)
The Sound Of Mucus
Stewart Lee Content Provider Morgan & West Parlour Tricks Rob Brydon I Am Standing Up Sue Perkins In Spectacles Al Murray Let’s Go Backwards Together
FAMILY Tom Thumb DNA Old Mother Hubbard and Her Cupboard Garlic Theatre Lullaby Lane Half Moon Very Hungry Caterpillar Dinosaur Zoo The Snow Queen Little Pixie Productions
Jack Frost Moon On A Stick Chester Tuffnut
DANCE Ballet Black Triple Bill featuring Storyville
Paco Pena Petrias Next Door Dance The Beautiful Game Motionhouse Scattered BalletBoyz Lost Dog Dance Image credit: The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Family
VISITING COMPANIES
MUSIC
SPOKEN WORD
Nicola Loud Lunchtime Classics Guy Johnson and Sheku Kanneh-Mason Lunchtime Classics Celebration of Ghazal, Qawalli and Sufi Music Mary Chapin Carpenter The Wallace Collection
Say Sum Thin 11
Lunchtime Classics
The Sacconi Quartet Lunchtime Classics
Roots of Reggae Cultural Vibrations
Wihan Quartet Lunchtime Classics Billy Bragg & Joe Henry The Carrivick Sisters Ramin Karimloo & The Broadgrass Band Johnny Cash Roadshow Streetwise Opera Women in Music Cultural Vibrations Georgie Fame in Concert Roy Wood
AN EVENING WITH Pat Barker Jacqueline Wilson Jack Monroe Jon Ronson
Image credit: Billy Bragg & Joe Henry
OTHER Café Missing Fittings Multi Media Arts #refugeewelcome
REHEARSED READINGS/ WORK IN PROGRESS Lit by Sophie Ellerby Scratch Nights
HIRES MADD Gala Showcase 2016 Stand In The Spotlight Spotlight Theatre
Dance Express and Variations 2016 Tracy Quaife School of Dance
What A Feelin’ Sophie’s Academy of Performing Arts
Feelin’ Good Sandra Taylor School of Dance
neat16
Youth Fest Against Love rehearsed reading Nordic Drama Company of Angels rehearsed reading
Radio Culture rehearsed reading Invisible rehearsed reading Coal Gary Clarke Dance World Fusion Music DH Lawrence: By Night and Day staged reading
The Trilogy performance The Domino Effect NP Youth Theatre Cloudcuckoolanders performance Time at the Bar performance War & Peace Gob Squad Documentaries by Michael Eaton Of or at a fairly low temperature I, Myself and Me The Complete Deaths Spymonkey A Girl with a Book Poet In Da Corner Mouthy Poets
Mihaela: Tiger of Our Town rehearsed reading
The Syrian Monologues rehearsed reading
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A CULTURAL DESTINATION
NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY
Nottingham Playhouse is pleased and proud to play a role on the Board of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature. As an organisation that has been telling Nottingham’s stories since 1948 and has a long term commitment to new writing we are working closely with City of Literature. Literature is an essential part of what we do – whether that’s supporting literacy in some of the city’s most deprived areas or staging a brand new main-stage play by a Nottingham writer. Nottingham Playhouse is a core member and Vice Chair of the City’s Strategic Cultural Partnership – a group of organisations that exists to unite, celebrate and
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credit: Luminarium, Alan Fletcher. Reading flashmob, Nottingham City of Literature
A CULTURAL DESTINATION
Writer Andy Barrett, director Giles Croft, Hilary Benn MP and Chief Executive Stephanie Sirr.
champion the extraordinary cultural offer in our city and the incredible force for good that this represents. Joining with Dance4, Lakeside Arts Centre, City of Literature, City Arts, Broadway Media Centre, New Art Exchange, Nottingham Contemporary, the two major Universities and the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall amongst others the SCP and its Cultural Framework has created a blueprint for the cultural life of the city. We were thrilled that our production of Tony’s Last Tape by local writer Andy Barrett was selected to represent the city at its Nottingham In Parliament Day. The day itself was a huge success with presentations of the very best of our city including our new status as UNESCO City of Literature. Philip Bretherton recreated his stunning performance as Tony Benn to an audience that included Bruce Kent, several MPs who had known Tony well - and the Benn family themselves. 2016/17 Annual Review
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PLAYHOUSE PASS Membership played a greater role than ever in 2016-17. Playhouse Pass membership is more than just a fresh new look. Launched in June 2016, it preserves the best features of the old Backstage Pass scheme – including generous discounts and extra invitations. It also adds a new guarantee of priority booking for its members, who are first to access every Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company
production and many visiting shows as well. Playhouse Pass got off to a promising start, seeing an immediate increase in new members over the financial year.
ONE YEAR IN: PLAYHOUSE PASS STATS Exclusive encounters with Vicky McClure and John Harvey were the best attended members’ events to date.
£7.84
12,479 The number of tickets booked by members in 2016-17 – worth £203,726.70
The average donation by members, making them big supporters of our fundraising appeals
£140.68 The average ticket spend per member
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Nottingham Playhouse
42%
of members saw 4 or more shows
Image credit: Noises Off and Aladdin, Robert Day
PLAYHOUSE PASS
“It was very interesting to see so many parts of the set and especially good that Jamie was able to tell us about the hard work going on backstage.” Kirsty Hatton on the Aladdin set tour
“A good play, well-acted, reflecting on a difficult time in the country’s history… If you get a chance go down and take a look for yourselves. Well done again to the Playhouse!” Shaun O’Sullivan on Darkness, Darkness
“Really enjoyed Touched last night... it was brilliant. Definitely not to be missed.” Mikaela Morley
“BRILLIANT!! One of the best things I have seen in the last few years... Give us more please.” Lynda Shaw on The Government Inspector
Image credit: Darkness, Darkness, Robert Day
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FUNDRAISING
WITH THANKS TO:
In 2016-17 we expanded our SHINE free community youth theatre programme and opened seven brand new youth theatres and continued to work in Bulwell.
The Thomas Farr Charity, The Chetwode Foundation, The Thoresby Charitable Trust, Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor John Doddy, our pantomime audiences for donating after performances, over 350 audience members who made donations when booking tickets, and Sylvia Draycott, Liz Squires, Cressida Laywood and David Swaby for their fundraising efforts. MANSFIELD
Now, over 120 young people have the opportunity to create theatre, discover their voices and grow in confidence. Thanks to our generous funders and donors who donated over £13,000, they can take part for free so no-one is excluded.
We operate these youth theatres in: • • • •
Bramcote Bulwell Chilwell Gedling Netherfield
• • • •
Gedling Newstead Mansfield Sherwood QMC Children’s Hospital School
GEDLING NEWSTEAD
SHINE youth theatre members also became involved in our other activities: • Two members have become regular members of Critics Circle. BULWELL
• Five members attended the Bugsy Malone Summer School and performed on the mainstage
SHERWOOD
• Six members now attend our weekly Youth Theatres held at Nottingham Playhouse
GEDLING NETHERFIELD
BRAMCOTE
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Nottingham Playhouse
CHILWELL
QMC
“Starting this group gave me a new opportunity to make friends, to have a social life which I previously didn’t have…Shine bought out the confidence I didn’t have, without it I wouldn’t be who I am now.” Louisa, Bulwell Youth Theatre Member, 16.
In January 2017, the SHINE youth theatres graced our mainstage and performed in front of an audience of their peers and family. They proudly performed the theatre pieces they had created and celebrated their achievements. They loved being and performing at Nottingham Playhouse and for many it was their first visit. They now feel a great sense of ownership of the building and can’t wait to come back in June 2017.
Taking part in SHINE isn’t all about performing - it helps members become more actively involved in the Arts and their community and gives them the opportunity to create relationships with young people from other schools in their area. For some children it gives them the confidence boost they need at a crucial time in their lives. One parent was exceptionally proud of her daughter who after attending SHINE workshops just for a month, was able to confidently go to the corner shop. Previously, she wouldn’t have even spoken to the shop owner. It’s the small but significant ways in which SHINE impacts members’ lives that really makes all the difference.
We have plans to continue to expand so every child in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can SHINE. You can keep up to date on new developments by visiting nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/shine 2016/17 Annual Review
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FUNDRAISING
PLAYHOUSE 50:50 APPEAL Generous audience members continued to donate to our 50:50 appeal. Over 1,200 people donated over £7,500. We were able to give away 700 tickets to people facing social and economic disadvantage and welcomed audience members from charities and community groups such as Framework, Home-Start, Nottingham Women’s Centre, the Refugee Forum and food banks based across the county.
VICKY McCLURE BECAME THE PATRON OF THE 50:50 APPEAL AND SAID: “Every time I see a live performance it makes me wonder why I don’t do it more often. The feeling it gives you is unlike anything else. It captures a moment and a memory that is hard to forget. From the moment you enter the theatre to the conversations it brings after the show, it has such a huge emotional effect. It’s a joyous feeling. However, not everyone is able to relish this experience like we are. Many people in our own community who face significant struggles will never have the chance to experience this joyful atmosphere. Nottingham Playhouse are working hard to change this through their important 50:50 appeal. Through 50:50, Nottingham Playhouse donates tickets to local charities, community groups, and schools to ensure that our theatre is truly for everyone.”
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Nottingham Playhouse
FUNDRAISING We also heard back from Clare. Clare’s family received 50:50 tickets to Dick Whittington in 2015 when they were receiving support from Home-Start, a charity that supports struggling families. Clare’s son, Freddie, has autism and struggles with being in new places and surroundings. Here is their story:
As Freddie’s story shows, it’s not just about the ticket – it’s about where someone’s first theatre experience will lead them. Thank you to all the 50:50 donors that make stories like this possible.
Photograph by: Robert Day
“Two years ago, Nottingham Playhouse very kindly donated free tickets to Home-Start so that the families they supported could come and watch the pantomime. For lots of families, this was the first time they had been to see a pantomime. Before our visit to the theatre, during one of the Home-Start family support group sessions, we got a surprise visit from some of the panto cast. The children were so excited to see the actors in their costumes - it was such a magical experience to see their faces light up. When the day came for the Home-Start families to watch the panto, I felt a bit apprehensive. Going into a huge theatre like Nottingham Playhouse, knowing how Freddie struggled with new experiences made me feel quite nervous as to how Freddie was going to react. But Nottingham Playhouse were great- before the show started I was allowed to take Freddie in to the auditorium early so that he felt at ease, knew what to expect and knew where he would be sitting. He loved it! And he remembered some of the actors from when they came to the Home-Start family group. For Freddie that was really important, as he needs to make sense of what’s going on
around him. Freddie loved the experience so much that when Nottingham Playhouse gave Home-Start panto tickets the following year, we came along again! Freddie’s experience of theatre and of Nottingham Playhouse gave him the confidence to take up drama at school, (something I’d never have thought possible before he saw the panto). The next thing I knew was that Freddie’s school were taking part in Nottingham Playhouse’s ‘Schools Massive’ project. I was over the moon, as was Freddie. He coped so well with it, and I felt so very proud watching him perform that day. Never did I ever imagine my little boy taking part in Shakespeare in a professional theatre, seeing him up on the stage is a memory I will treasure forever. Freddie has been on such a positive journey when it comes to drama, and it all started with the day he came to see the Nottingham Playhouse pantomime. Thank you.”
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PARTICIPATION
PARTICIPATION IN HOUSE
In House provides a welcoming space and inclusive environment for individuals who have experienced or are dealing with issues of homelessness, mental health problems, substance misuse or social isolation. Generously funded by Boots Charitable Trust this is a partnership project delivered alongside Services for Empowerment and Advocacy (SEA), who bring extensive experience in pastoral care to support the participants involved. The In House group is a regular participatory theatre group which provides vulnerable and disadvantaged adults with the opportunity to engage with the performing arts, many of whom would be doing so for the very first time.
IN HOUSE AIMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: • Develops knowledge, understanding and appreciation of all aspects of the performing arts • Develops skills • Helps to build confidence and improve overall well-being. • Builds relationships • Provides new experiences and opportunities to see professional theatre
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Nottingham Playhouse
PARTICIPATION
FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM PARTICIPANTS:
The group created their own performance - a moving piece about their own personal experience of homelessness. Over the weeks the “Very positive engagement participants created their own original keeps you out of negative audio and soundtrack and a group thoughts environment. Help poem which was worked into their play to build confidence and for the sharing. Each participant’s voice change mood in positive was recorded describing their experience way. Unbeatable, of being homeless or feeling isolated. This priceless service.” was then used as the opening soundtrack to the sharing. The sharing was performed to a group of 33 family and friends in the Neville Studio on Tuesday 28 March 2017.
“I was scared to come at first as I do not normally go to these kind of things but I am really glad I did. Every week I look forward to these sessions” and “This group has really helped to build my confidence again”
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PARTICIPATION
PARTICIPATION HIGHLIGHTS SCHOOLS MASSIVE Schools Massive in March 2017 was a great success with over 350 children from 10 different schools performing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on the main stage at Nottingham Playhouse. We had over 1400 parents, friends, family and teachers attend both performances.
THE PRACTICE This year we piloted our first weekly theatre group for D/deaf and disabled performers and theatre makers which started in January 2017. It was developed with Laura Guthrie, Agent for Change and Fiona Buffini, Associate Director as part of our involvement with the Ramps on the Moon project. Each week the sessions were led by Fiona or guest artists focusing on the group developing their practice, learning new skills and exploring ideas in a professional theatre setting. “The whole group had different backgrounds and levels of expertise. However the group merged really well. I probably had least experience of all but that didn’t matter, the group made me feel at home and never made me feel inferior experience wise. The tutors were very clear explaining things and their enthusiasm was contagious totally enjoyed the experience.” Kay Butler, participant.
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Nottingham Playhouse
Image credits: Schools Massive, Alan Fletcher; Tommy in rehearsal, Patrick Baldwin
PARTICIPATION
SUMMER SCHOOLS In August 2016, our two Summer Schools (9 -14 years, and 14 – 16 years) performed on the main stage at Nottingham Playhouse, enabling more children and young people to take part. 25% of the places offered were free, and these bursary places were taken by young people in the city and from our Shine Community Youth Theatres. Our summer schools provide the opportunity for young people to take part in a show created with the same care and skill we bring to professional productions. They also have the chance to perform to a large audience. The summer schools staged spectacular performances of Bugsy Malone and Noughts and Crosses. Young people taking part in our Shakespeare Summer School performed Macbeth in the Neville studio. “Brilliant for the young people’s confidence and a great exercise in concentration and focus for my son Kane. Kane has learned a great deal this week about focusing and collaborative work. I think his performance was great and the facilitators were brilliant also. Thank you.” – Simon, Parent
55+ This year we teamed up with Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall to offer a wider and more varied programme for over 55s. We have been able to offer four different creative activities a week and over 129 people came to Nottingham Playhouse in the past year to enjoy activities ranging from creative writing and dance, to our reader’s group and mixed media art. “Very accessible, involving and inclusive.” Participant “It was helpful to have looked at and discussed some of the Nottingham Playhouse productions – this enhances the actual experience.” Participant 2016/17 Annual Review
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STAFF
THE NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE TEAM 2016-17 NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE STAFF Hannah Abraham Ninan Thomas Adcock Rachel Amery Ben Anderson Ria Ashcroft Kathryn Bainbridge-Wilson Mark Bamford Ilija Barosevcic Shellie-Ann Barrowcliffe Steph Bartle Andy Bartlett Callum Battlemuch Christine Baxter Manya Benenson SinĂŠad Bevan Karl Bloch Ton Blythe Karl Bock George Boden Harry Bridge Fiona Buffini Andrew Bullet Pamela Bullett Louise Carney Jonathan Child Lauren Connolly Jessica Cormack Giles Croft James Curtis Martin Curtis Alexander Daniel Olwen Davies
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Nottingham Playhouse
Jordan Davis Mark Dawson Nicola Dawson Clare Devine Ian Downing Matt Dyas Nigel Eaton Jane Eliot-Webb Tony Emery Valerie Evans Heather Flinders Janine Forster Stacey Foster Emma Fowler Anna-Kate Golding Derek Graham Emma Greenhalgh Imane Guendouz Kristy Guest Philip Gunn Laura Guthrie Emily Hackett Amanda Hall William Hall Sharlene Harvard-Young Alex Hatton Katy Hautz Karla Henry Karon Hill Nikki Hill Rob Hill Tori Hope Chris Howitt Abi Hubbard
Brian Humpherson Dale Hurren Cindy Hutchinson Kirsty Hutchinson Laura Hutchinson Jayne Hyman Tracy James Sanpreet Janjua Tom Jeavons Lucy Jenkins Lydia Jones Victoria Jones Rebecca Jordan Will Kenny Mark Kenny Jessica Kemp Josh Knott Imogen Lea Stuart Lambert Michelle Leek Gemma Leggett Georgie Levers Acaycia Lewis Geoff Linney Dino Loizou Katie Luckhurst Shona MacDonald Heather Maclaurin Vickki Maiden Habiba Makhlouf Eliot Martin Alix Manning-Jones Giada Maran Richard Marson
Mufaro Makubika Valentine Makubika Livia McLauchlan Jo McLeish Callum McRobbie Sooki McShane Ellis Middleton Gary Miller Jack Monday Maddie Monte Sophie Morrell Nick Morris Clare Moss Judith Moulton Alexandra Moxon Tafadzwa Muchirahondo Siba Munsanje Andy Nairn Jess Niemz Sam Nicholson Lena Nitsch John Noton Sara Oakden Laura Osei-Bonsu Orkut Otcikin Tom Parsons Kushal Patel Frances Pearson Louise Pearson Adam Penford Aurora Perrin Will Pettipher Nathan Powell Paul Preston
STAFF
Kirk Ratcliffe Simon Raven Oliver Read Richard Renshaw Sarah Richard Dave Richardson Sarah Rickard Steve Ridgway Jill Robertshaw Lauren Robinson Milton Robinson Stephen Robinson Kate Robotham Nathan Rose Laura Rutty Aneela Samrai Dominika Sarosi Graham Saxby Jacob Seelochan Justine Sharp Sabrina Shaw Lisa Shipman Kathryn Shooter Joanna Sigsworth Sheila Sisson Stephanie Sirr Isla Sleath Jamie Smith Julian Smith Matthew Smith Ollie Smith Stewart Smith Sally Smithson Aoife Smyth
Allie Spencer Sarah Stephenson Hannah Stone Sarah Storey Dominico Stravino Richard Surgay Victoria Sutton Richard Swift Sheldon Talbot Otis Thomas Claire Thompson Andrew Tinley Tony Topping Amy Townson Holly Truelove Michael Turton Helen Tye Kerry Van-de-broucke Be Wade Jeremy Walker Patricia Walsh Carol Ward Andrew Weaver William Welch Olivia Wheeler Paul White Cherelle Wilks Susan Yeoman Richard Zamorski
VOLUNTEERS Ilija Barosevcic Karl Bloch Richard Brown
Louise Carney Lynn Coxon Sylvia Draycott Teri Forey Katy Gore David Lumb Susan MacCormick Siba Munsanje Andrew Pearce Liz Squires Olivia Trivett Nieves Zuniga
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Cllr Cat Arnold Cllr Steve Battlemuch Andy Batty David Belbin David Brownlee Tim Challans Harvey Goodman Caroline Shutter (Chair) Paul Southby Michelle Vacciana
MEMBERS
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
Katie Aungles Dan Baker Andy Barrett Fred Brookes Michaela Butter MBE Sue Cullen Sue Dewey OBE 2016/17 Annual Review
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STAFF
CAST AND CREATIVES 2016-17 ACTORS Isobel Adams James Alexandrou Ritu Arya Iain Armstrong John Askew Timothy Baggaley Becky Barry Sarah Beck Mather George Boden Navinder Bhatti Robin Bowerman Philip Bretherton Paul Brightwell Alexander Campbell David Carlyle Nathan Clarke Richard Clewes Esther Coles Stephen Collins Danielle Corlass Rachel Denning Joe Doherty Chris Donnelly Daniel Dore John Elkington Charlotte Ellen Sophie Ellerby Nathan Elwick
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Nottingham Playhouse
David Fleeshman Irene-Myrtle Forrester Luke Gell Becci Gemmell Dominic Grove Chloe Harris Rebekah Hinds Daryl Jackson Mick Jasper Christopher Jordan Michael Keane Ian Kirkby Rebecca Little Aisling Loftus Brian Lonsdale Chris Lund Ewan Marshall Bethan Mary-James Vicky McClure Kevin McGowan Rhona McKenzie Carla Mendonรงa Martin Miller Francesca Mills Robin Morrissey Sophia Nomvete Patrick Osbourne Declan Perring Mary Jo Randle Miles Richardson
Elizabeth Rider Lee Rufford Simone Saunders Darren Southworth Jean St Clair Kiruna Stamell Simon Startin Sophie Stone Emma Thornett Elizabeth Twells Aaron Virdee Tabitha Wady James Warrior Orlando Wells Jasmine White Jonathan Woolf Amanda Wright
CHILD ACTORS Isabella Elliott Isobel Gilbert Caitlin Kupsa Eve McLaughlin Scarlett Shaw Honor Solbe Kaiya Withey
MUSICIANS Ian Maclean John Morton
John Porter Nigel Waterhouse John Watterson
PANTO CHORUS Gabriella Beardsley Ella Biggs Tyler Boston Toni Cairns Jamie Charles Emma Coleman Elyse Davison Toni Doherty Paige Elkin Ellie Finnerty Lucy Fretwell Anna Hitchcock Danielle Houldsworth Charlotte Hoyle Olivia Neville Abigail Orwin India Roberts Jodie Ross Elia Sarricchio Leyla Yildirim
WRITERS Andy Barrett Michael Frayn Nikolai Gogol David Harrower John Harvey Daniel Hoffmann-Gill
STAFF
Robin Kingsland Stephen Lowe Thomas Middleton Anthony Shaffer Kenneth Alan Taylor Nick Wood
DIRECTORS Matt Aston Andrew Breakwell Fiona Buffini Giles Croft Blanche McIntyre Jack McNamara Roxana Silbert Allie Spencer Kenneth Alan Taylor
DESIGNERS Harriet Clarke Olivia du Monceau Barney George Ti Green Robert Innes-Hopkins Rachael Jacks Tim Meacock Neil Murray Dorrie Scott Ruth Sutcliffe Jamie Vartan
LIGHTING DESIGNERS Steph Bartle Martin Curtis Mark Jonathan Azusa Ono Nick Richings Alexandra Stafford Jason Taylor Will Welch Chahine Yavroyan
SOUND DESIGNERS Drew Baumohl Julian Butler Martin Curtis George Dennis Adam P McCready Max and Ben Ringham
COMPOSERS/ MUSICAL DIRECTORS Julian Butler Jonathan Girling Adam P McCready John Morton Jon Nicholls
AV/VIDEO/ PROJECTION DESIGNERS Timothy Bird Will Simpson Simon Wainwright
CHOREOGRAPHERS / MOVEMENT DIRECTORS Emma Annetts Amanda Hall Adele Parry Ayse Tashkiran Cydney Uffindell-Philips
FIGHT DIRECTORS Alison de Burgh Philip D’Orléans
ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Ewan Marshall
ASSISTANT DIRECTORS Milli Bhatia Natasha Hyman Justine Sharp Adele Parry
COSTUME SUPERVISORS Alison Cartledge
CASTING DIRECTORS Lucy Jenkins CDG Polly Jerrold Sooki McShane CDG
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS Andrew Breakwell Gareth Morgan Fifth Word Mouthy Poets
CHAPERONES Janet Barnes Sharon Barr Angela Beere Karen Broughton Lucille Denkinson Jennifer Hind Jana Kingsley Jayne Kirkham Nicola Kirkham Michelle Leek Janet Pavier Kayleigh Phillips Kelly Watson
VOICE COACHES Kat Hicks Stephen Kemble 2016/17 Annual Review
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NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE WELLINGTON CIRCUS NOTTINGHAM NG1 5AF
BOX OFFICE 0115 941 9419 NOTTINGHAMPLAYHOUSE.CO.UK Cover image credits: Touched and The Revengers Tragedy, Robert Day.