Part of the
“ Increasingly the most crucial theatre in the region because of its emphasis on learning, nurturing and nourishing” Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
OVER
£1.3 million IN TICKET SALES
99,318 ATTENDERS OVER
25,000 YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED WITH US
Oliver Watts in Brassed Off, photography by Robert Day.
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Introduction Welcome to Derby Theatre’s annual review for the financial year 2015-2016; an opportunity for us to tell the story of Derby Theatre so far. We’ve come a long way in a short space of time and this year was particularly significant for us. Not only did it see our entry into the Arts Council England National Portfolio - a benchmark of artistic excellence and confirmation of our importance within the industry and to audiences - we also received great critical acclaim for our productions. We’ve achieved record audience figures, further developed our thriving artist development programme, engaged with thousands through our learning work, and even had a mention in the House of Lords. To top all that, we’ve celebrated the 40th anniversary of our wonderful theatre building. I hope you’ll agree there has been much to celebrate. Our unique partnership with the University of Derby continues to be a crucial relationship and enables us to genuinely reimagine what the role of a theatre should be in the 21st century.
With their support, and that from Arts Council England and other trusts and foundations, we are uniquely positioned to build on our dual strengths of artistic excellence along with accessible and exciting learning opportunities. The two go hand in hand at Derby Theatre; they are not mutually exclusive. We put our civic responsibility, to improve our city, at the heart of everything we do. We want Derby Theatre to be for everyone and everyone to feel welcome. Our team work hard to ensure we are a community centre for our locale, a laboratory for artists and a great night out for our audiences. And we understand that our remit goes far beyond our walls – you’ll find us in schools; community centres; care homes and beyond; bringing great drama and life changing experiences to all. Derby Theatre is your theatre. We hope you enjoy looking again at the highlights from a fantastic year, as we look forward to exciting times ahead.
Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Derby Theatre
3
AUG
SEP
OCT
18th Sep 2015 10th Oct 2015
Brassed Off
SEEN BY
12,845 PEOPLE
4,692 NEW ATTENDERS 141 PEOPLE ATTENDED EXTRA PARTICIPATION SESSIONS 30 LOCAL MUSICIANS FROM DERWENT BRASS PERFORMED 4
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
“One of the finest things the theatre has ever done” The Stage
“Brassed Off... shows the people of Derby that their theatre is indispensable to the city’s welfare” British Theatre Guide Brassed Off enabled Derby Theatre to tell the human story behind the closure of deep pit coal mining in Britain in an emotive and powerful way. This compelling production paid a moving tribute to the mining community in our region and celebrated the important heritage left behind. The show received a fantastic response from audiences, breaking all Box Office records and drawing thousands of new attenders to the Theatre. The combination of Paul Allen’s brilliant adaptation with a professional cast and the talent of Derwent Brass, one of the Midland’s leading Championship Section brass bands, couldn’t have worked better. 51 young people and community members also made up the company for this hugely popular production.
James Fairhurst, Garry Cooper, Jo Mousley and young company in Brassed Off, photography by Robert Day.
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SEP
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JAN
4th Dec 2015 9th Jan 2016
“ This new version of Cinderella is heart-warming, fun and uplifting. Magical stuff ” British Theatre Guide
6
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MAR
APR
“ Mike Kenny’s joyful take on the Cinderella story is wholly original and utterly refreshing” The Stage
MAY
JUN
JUL
Cinderella Building on Derby Theatre’s trademark actor-musician style, our Christmas family show delighted audiences young and old. This punchy and humorous new telling of a traditional tale, by award-winning writer Mike Kenny, was accompanied by wonderful, original music from Ivan Stott. In an innovative retelling from the perspective of the rats, Cinderella didn’t just sit around waiting for her prince to come. She had a passion for dancing and, alongside the rats, took over the palace in a story of ambition and expanding your horizons – all served up with a helping of magic and sparkle. The production featured Jake Waring in his professional stage debut thanks to our Brian Weaver Fellowship which introduces new voices to our main stage.
8 ACTORS PLAYED OVER 20 INSTRUMENTS A COMPANY OF
MORE THAN
OVER
18 YOUNG PEOPLE
6,000 LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN SAW THE PRODUCTION
400 DISABLED YOUNG PEOPLE ATTENDED OUR FIRST RELAXED PERFORMANCE
19,373 PEOPLE SAW THE PRODUCTION
Esme Sears as Cinderella, photography by Robert Day.
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NOV
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8th Dec 2015 27th Dec 2015
The Elves and The Shoemakers A delightful show that allowed the Theatre a fantastic opportunity to reach a new generation of theatre-goers. Working with pre-school theatre specialist, Penny Breakwell, and her organisation Big Window Theatre Company, this bespoke work for 3-7 year olds brought this classic, much-loved tale to life through physical storytelling with live music. After a successful run at Derby Theatre, The Elves and The Shoemakers went on to tour across the region, selling out at multiple venues across the Midlands.
NEARLY
50% OF THE AUDIENCE WERE NEW ATTENDERS
92% TICKETS SOLD 986 LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN SAW THE SHOW OVER 1,000 PEOPLE SAW THE PRODUCTION ON TOUR 8
JAN
FEB
MAR
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JUL
“ A lovely little Christmas production” Behind the Arras
“ We really enjoyed the story. We laughed, clapped and cuddled throughout” Audience comment
Bethany-Jo Clewes and Gareth Cooper in The Elves and The Shoemakers, photography by Robert Day.
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NOV
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John Osborne’s Look Back In Anger “Osborne’s unflinching study of a failing marriage still grips” Michael Billington, The Guardian
“An absorbing 60th anniversary production… powerful theatre” Jonathan Brown, The Independent
10 NATIONAL REVIEWS SYMPOSIUM ON JOHN OSBORNE’S WORK, CHAIRED BY JOURNALIST MARK LAWSON, WAS ATTENDED BY OVER
100 PEOPLE
FIRST DAY OF REHEARSALS STARTED WITH A COMPANY VISIT TO JOHN OSBORNE AND PAMELA LANE’S FLAT AT NUMBER
114 GREEN LANE, DERBY 10
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
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JUL
4th Mar 2016 26th Mar 2016
In 2016, Derby Theatre staged the 60th anniversary production of John Osborne’s seminal play, which changed the face of British theatre when it first came to the stage. The anniversary presented the Theatre with a unique opportunity to pay homage to one of its own and reclaim this Derby inspired production, which Osborne based on his life in Derby where he worked as an actor at Derby Playhouse, and the breakdown of his marriage to the Theatre’s leading lady, Pamela Lane. This compelling and powerful production received outstanding reviews for Sarah Brigham’s creative direction, and the emotive, highly charged performances from the stellar cast. Derby Theatre co-produced for the first time with Octagon Theatre Bolton, allowing this Made in Derby production a wider audience outside of the city.
James Fairhurst, Augustina Seymour and Patrick Knowles in Look Back in Anger, photography by Robert Day.
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Jinny
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
Commissioned by Derby Theatre as a contemporary response to Look Back in Anger, Jinny, the 2016 RETOLD production, reimagined Jimmy Porter, the archetypal angry young man in the 1950s as Jinny Porter, an angry young woman in 2016. Derbyshire-raised writer Jane Wainwright worked with local women in Derby from various backgrounds to explore their experiences and concerns and tackle the question of what it means to be a working class woman in the 21st century. This compelling story of a young woman trying to cope with the world she finds herself in, portrayed with great humour by Joanna Simpkins, appealed to traditional and new writing audiences alike, and played as a curtain raiser to Look Back in Anger.
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YOUNG WOMEN FROM THE REGION INVOLVED IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE SHOW
“A script packed with salty wit and sharp street level observation” The Times
Joanna Simpkins as Jinny, photography by Robert Day.
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FEB
MAR
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MAY
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7th Mar 2016 23rd Mar 2016
This clever re- telling of the Joan of Arc story has comic fizz, emotional ballast and cross-dressing that looks like sorcery” The Guardian THE SCOTSMAN FRINGE FIRST AWARD THE STAGE EDINBURGH AWARD
JUL
17th Jul 2016 18th s 2016
JOAN Part of Derby Theatre’s RETOLD programme and commissioned by the Theatre with Associate Company Milk Presents, JOAN attracted great critical acclaim along with multiple awards when it subsequently played at the Edinburgh Fringe, with a remarkable performance by Lucy Jane Parkinson. The show was conceived and directed by Lucy J Skilbeck, an artist Derby Theatre mentored through the BBC Performing Arts Fellowship, having spotted this young director’s standout talent early in her career. Presenting the story of Joan of Arc as you’ve never seen it before, this was a fearless play about what it means to stand out, stand up and stand alone, and brought LGBQT themes and questions of gender to our audiences in an accessible and intelligent way.
THE MERVYN STUTTER SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARD
Lucy Jane Parkinson as Joan, photography by Robert Day.
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NOV
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Received Work We presented 57 high quality received productions on our stages during the year. They ranged from classics such as Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap and Terence Rattigan’s Flare Path on our main stage, to innovative new work in our Studio such as Fifth Word’s All The Little Lights and Tim Crouch’s I, Malvolio. We also hosted a range of children’s work including Northern Ballet and M6 Theatre Company. In April 2016, an undoubted highlight on our main stage was Red Ladder’s The Damned United, written by Anders Lustgarten from the novel by David Peace, whilst in our Studio, Cathy Tyson starred in She Called Me Mother by Michelle Inniss, a Black Theatre Live production.
Visiting companies and producers included:
Main Theatre
Bill Kenwright Limited Agatha Christie Theatre Company Blackeyed Theatre South Hill Park Eastbourne Theatres Red Ladder Theatre Company West Yorkshire Playhouse Original Theatre Company Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory Tobacco Factory Theatres Spymonkey
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Brighton Festival Royal & Derngate Northampton Derby Book Festival Family: Compagnia TPO Paines Plough Half Moon Northern Ballet Evolution Productions
Studio
Curtis Productions Theatre by the Lake Tortoise in a Nutshell Oliver Emanuel Michael Pinchbeck OpenWorks Theatre Company of Angels Impulse Collective Pilot Theatre Santé Theatre Nonsuch Theatre LaPelle’s Factory Fifth Word Nottingham Playhouse
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
Andrew Lancel and Tony Bell in The Damned United, photography by Malcolm I Johnson. Cathy Tyson in She Called Me Mother, photography by Richard Davenport.
Pitch Lake Productions Tara Arts Black Theatre Live Arletty Theatre Warwick Arts Centre China Plate Jammy Voo Annie Siddons Single Shoe Productions Theatre 503 Tara Finney Productions Wales Millennium Centre present ATRESBANDES Theatre Company Proto-Type Theater Pipeline Theatre
Lizi Patch Hannah Silva Penned in the Margins Rebecca Crookshank Tim Crouch Lakin McCarthy Tony Jameson Louise Orwin Polka Theatre Babel 2 Magpies Theatre Paines Plough Latitude Festival ARC Stockton SH!T Theatre
Spiltmilk Dance Victoria Melody Theatre Témoin & Grafted Cede Ambreen Razia Theatre Hullaballoo Theatre by the Lake Quite Remarkable Productions M6 Theatre Company Second Hand Dance The Spark Arts for Children 154 Collective
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Our University Partnership Derby Theatre’s special partnership with the University of Derby presents students with a unique opportunity to develop, be nurtured and learn within a professional producing theatre environment. Students studying for Technical Theatre and Contemporary Theatre & Performance degrees benefit from shadowing and learning alongside professionals on a daily basis, whilst students studying for other degrees are also given the opportunity for practical projects in areas of marketing, technical, set and costume design. Last year, Derby Theatre hosted five student performances on the main stage and in the Studio, supporting second and third years with their accredited performances for a public audience. In addition, the University’s Fashion Show and Music Showcases premiered on our stage to packed audiences.
“..a trailblazing idea” Sir Peter Bazalgette, Chair of Arts Council England, on the partnership between Derby Theatre and the University of Derby
University of Derby Theatre Arts and Technical Theatre students in The Hour Before We Knew Nothing of Each Other. Photography by Richard Richards.
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Creative Learning At Derby Theatre, professional production and learning opportunities go hand in hand. We have an extensive talent development programme for young people and emerging artists, a full schools and community outreach programme and a bespoke programme for young people in care. On top of all this, our unique partnership with the University of Derby presents the perfect setting for artists of the future to learn their craft.
Working With Young People A core focus of our learning programme is introducing young people to theatre life, enabling them to develop skills and confidence in areas such as performance, leadership, technical theatre and events management. We run a year-long young technicians course led by our own technical team, meet fortnightly with our young ambassadors and of course enable our incredible Youth Theatre to work with professional theatre practitioners and perform onstage in a professionally produced show. We interact regularly with several hundred young people who are a key part of Derby Theatre.
OVER
100 YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORMED ON OUR MAIN STAGE AND IN OUR STUDIO
32 YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORMED IN OUR PROFESSIONAL SHOWS CINDERELLA AND BRASSED OFF 100% OF YOUTH THEATRE MEMBERS WHO ENGAGED IN THE SCHEME PASSED THEIR ARTS AWARD 80 YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORMED TO FRIENDS AND FAMILIES THROUGH OUR HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS OVER
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1,000 WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS DELIVERED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
“ I joined Youth Theatre in September and haven’t stopped smiling since” Youth Theatre Member
Derby Theatre Youth Theatre participants in I Am England, photography by Robert Day.
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“ It nurtures our talents... it doesn’t care about our past, only our futures”
“ I gained the confidence to believe in myself. It also inspired me a lot”
Emma, young person in care
Discover Day Student
Plus One
Cultural Education
Working in partnership with arts organisations and care services across Derbyshire, the Plus One initiative provided 600 free theatre visits to young people in care, care leavers, and their families. Funded mainly through public donations, Plus One enabled hundreds of young people to experience live performance and take part in a host of exciting opportunities, with the aim of opening doors, changing perceptions and enriching lives.
Derby Theatre makes a wide-reaching impact across the city with its learning work, particularly with schools and educators. We work with partners in some of the most economically challenged communities in the region to reach young people through targeted programmes of work including Start, the National Theatre Connections Festival and our Schools Festival.
600 VISITS TO THE THEATRE
3,085 STUDENTS FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS ENGAGED
£12,500 RAISED THROUGH PUBLIC DONATIONS
TRAINING PROVIDED FOR
25 LOOKED-AFTER CHILDREN ACTED AS ADVISERS ON
20 YOUNG PEOPLE GIVEN WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS
SOLACE OF THE ROAD, A PLAY ABOUT YOUNG PEOPLE IN CARE
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50 TEACHERS
Theatre Unwrapped Theatre Unwrapped was launched in autumn 2015 to allow our audiences to join us behind the scenes and learn more about the theatre making process. Over 150 people took part in a variety of sessions for free around lighting, costume, sound composition and directing to name but a few, as the creatives and technicians got ready for the opening nights of Brassed Off, Cinderella and Look Back in Anger.
OVER
150 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN FIRST THEATRE
UNWRAPPED SESSIONS
29 THEATRE UNWRAPPED SESSIONS DELIVERED FREE TO PARTICIPANTS
97% OF PARTICIPANTS GAVE 4/5 AND 5/5
FOR THEIR EXPERIENCE OF THEATRE UNWRAPPED
Derby Theatre Youth Theatre participants in rehearsal, photography by Chris Webb.
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Emerging Talent Derby Theatre is passionate about inspiring, supporting and developing the theatre makers of the future. Over the last year we have facilitated more creative opportunities than ever before and have seen artists we’ve previously nurtured, emerge into the industry amid a flurry of praise, recognition and promise.
“The way in which
Derby Theatre is working with artists and responding to them in the Midlands has really been noted by the industry” Madani Younis – Artistic Director, The Bush
682 ARTISTS NETWORKED INTO ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
26 ASSOCIATE ARTISTS SHOWCASED AT BAC,
CAMDEN PEOPLE’S THEATRE AND DEPARTURE LOUNGE
3 FRINGE FESTIVAL AWARDS FOR JOAN OVER
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570 PEOPLE ATTENDED OUR SUMMER FESTIVAL
Derby Theatre Associate Companies Derby Theatre works with associate companies in order to support their creativity. The companies benefit from commissioning money, rehearsal space in kind, masterclasses, direct access to advice, skills and the expertise of Sarah Brigham our Chief Executive and Artistic Director, plus other professional development opportunities. Selected in April 2016 were Maison Foo and Milk Presents.
In Good Company Associates In Good Company is a professional development programme that aims to engage, ignite and inspire artists making work in the East Midlands. Each year, In Good Company selects a number of companies to work with, providing invaluable opportunities such as mentorship, business support, masterclasses, workshops and platforms for new work. The associate companies, artists and graduates for 2015/2016 were: Egg Box Theatre / Jack Britton Impulse Collective / PAD Productions Graduate Associates from the University of Derby were: Helena Rimmer / Nafeesa Hamid / Daniel Ellis / Joe Allen
Spilt Milk, photography by Matthew Cawrey.
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Fundraising & Development Derby Theatre is a registered charity. Alongside our core support from the University of Derby and Arts Council England, and the revenue we take from our ticket sales, we have an active sponsorship and development programme. Money raised goes directly to support our creative programme, learning opportunities and participatory work with young people, community groups, local artists and audience members.
During the year we secured £415,000 worth of public donations, grants and sponsorship which helped deliver the fantastic work outlined in this review.
Highlights
£150,000
Catalyst: Evolve funding from Arts Council England which matches public donations and corporate sponsorship £1 for £1 for the next 3 years.
£120,000
awarded in new core funding from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to support the Theatre over the next 3 years.
£12,500
received in public donations to our Plus One scheme, providing creative opportunities for young people in care and care leavers.
£14,000
received in public donations to support our learning programme, working with schools, colleges, young people and audience members.
Thank you to all those generous individuals and organisations that supported the charity in 2015/16 – you really helped to make a difference to Derby’s cultural life.
Sponsorship from local and regional companies including MINI Stratstone Derby, Office Care and Reprotec. Mrs Doreen Weaver generously supported The Brian Weaver Fellowship, granting Jake Waring, a Derbyshire actor, and Helena Rimmer, a University of Derby Theatre Arts graduate, paid opportunities to work as actors at Derby Theatre.
Part of the Derbyshire Community Foundation For Derbyshire for good
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Board & Staff Members Board Members Jane Claire Prof Huw Davies Graham Devlin Dawn Foote Chris Hughes Chair Prof Kathryn Mitchell Hari Punchihewa Ian Willgoose Derby Theatre Staff Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Rachael Thomas Executive Director (Finance and Commercial) Caroline Barth Head of Learning Box Office and Sales Paul Hawkins Box Office Manager Lindy Evans Box Office Supervisor Karen Hutchinson Box Office Assistant Lynda Stancliffe Box Office Assistant Box Office Assistants (Casual) Alice Adams Katie Spencer Annabelle Terry Catering Iona Henry Acting Catering Manager Catering Assistants Imran Cousins Aadam Khan Janet Khan Katyanna Malcolm Development Andrew McIntyre Business Development Manager Paul Challacombe Development Officer
Finance Harriet Spalding Finance Officer Lukas Slonimski Finance Assistant
Amy Louise Smith Josh Smithurst Kara Spriggs Ashton Vine Hope Ward-Brown
Front of House Katrina Richardson House Manager Ruth Brailsford Duty Manager Helena Rimmer Duty Manager Andrew Tinley Duty Manager
Learning Nicola Bellenger Creative Learning Associate Beth Williams Stage Management and Learning Coordinator Alix Manning-Jones Cultural Education Producer Cheryl Mitchell Creative Learning Assistant
Customer Service Assistants Niamh Atkinson Jasmine Barkes Jade Boden Victoria Bond Hannah Brent Joseph Burton Jake Castle Dil Chima Darius Cranston Nyasha Douse-Cousins Reuben Dykes Jennifer Ellis Adam Horvath Georgie Hughes Ellie-May Jones Christine Kilby Sam Lammond Terianne Lloyd-Jones Shane Lynch Lucy Mabbitt Sarah MacGeagh Beki Mahon Mihnea Mandoiu Julia McLaughlin Tara Morley Jordan Peters Rebecca Pipes Emily Redlaff Daniel Richardson Mia Schroder Natalie Simone Natalie Smallwood
Marketing Marianne Jacques Marketing and Audience Development Manager Heidi McKenzie Senior Marketing and Press Officer Katie Garland Marketing and Digital Officer Hannah Redfern Marketing Assistant Operations Dave Beckford IT/AV Technician Tony Shaw Building Caretaker Programming and Artist Development Lauren Barkes Programme Co-ordinator Ruby Glaskin Creative Producer (In Good Company) Lekan Lawal Resident Assistant Director (RTYDS) Yu Ohsawa Trainee Director (British Council Placement)
Technical Phil Bentley Production and Facilities Manager Andy Nairn Technical Stage Manager Lianne Clamp Technician Ele Munn Technician Katy Whitehouse Technician Elodie Mason Assistant Technician Technicians Simon Birchall Tim Booth Daniel Clarkson Daniel Ellis Peter Gough Brandon Hoult Stuart Marno Sandy McAlister Ian McKenzie Ashley Nickolds-Collin Fred Owen Ken Owen Richard Parker Olly Poulter Tony Stott Richard Swift Elvin Talot Simon Watson Richard Zamorski Wardrobe Tim Heywood Head of Wardrobe Natalia Czuplak Wardrobe Assistant and Dresser Karen Owen Wardrobe Assistant
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Looking Forward 2015/16 was an amazing year for Derby Theatre. From highly acclaimed productions and record ticket sales, to being granted National Portfolio status by Arts Council England.
We’re now building on this incredible success and cementing our position as a serious producing theatre with learning opportunities at the heart of everything we do. As you would expect from Derby Theatre, we’re planning a number of big productions this year, which will deliver a great night out for our audiences as well as embedding learning opportunities. We’ve also scommissioned Laura Lomas, in collaboration with Plymouth Theatre Royal, Dundee Rep and Northampton Theatres, to write a new play for young people. This will explore issues of conflict and how young people rebuild networks and communities – it’s set to be a fascinating and impactful production. The Big House, an EU funded project that will work alongside our artist development programme, will support more small businesses working within the Creative Industries to make sure they thrive in our city. In partnership with the University of Derby, we’ll be enhancing our learning environment through the development of new courses and investment in our building - providing students with even greater opportunities at the Theatre. We hope that you’ll play your part in these plans, whether that’s as an audience member, student, artist or funder. We believe strongly that Derby Theatre is for everyone. Our overriding mission is to share it with as many of you as possible.
Abby Wain and Jack Quarton in Alice in Wonderland, photography by Robert Day.
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Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Derby Theatre
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Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, Derby, DE1 2NF
Registered as a limited company in England no 06858792. Registered office: Kedleston Road, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 1GB. Front cover image: Daisy Badger and Patrick Knowles in Look Back in Anger 2016. Photography by Robert Day. Annual Review design : bridlecreative.co.uk