Alice In Wonderland, photography by Robert Day.
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Introduction Welcome to Derby Theatre’s annual review for our financial year August 2016 - July 2017. This year we have gone from strength to strength, increasing our audience numbers, supporting more local theatre makers than ever and delivering stunning theatre productions to our audiences. It was a fantastic achievement for us to bring West End star Hugh Maynard to Derby in our epic production of Sweeney Todd directed by Daniel Buckroyd. Our Christmas shows were the best-selling seasonal productions in our recent history reaching over 26,000 people, and it was with great delight that we gave Lekan Lewal his main stage directorial debut with his innovative production of Betrayal. This year was all about partnership with co-productions with Mercury Theatre Colchester and Octagon Theatre Bolton and an exciting new joint commission with Laura Lomas for our Youth Theatre production with Dundee Rep, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Northampton theatres. Our Departure Lounge Festival celebrated its fifth year and saw industry experts from across the UK sharing insights with emerging artists from across the region. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our funders and stakeholders: our unique partnership with the University of Derby means we can genuinely reimagine what the role of a theatre in the 21st Century should be. Derby Theatre is a wholly owned subsidiary of the university and they remain our largest funder.
With this support and that from Arts Council England and other trusts and foundations, we can build on our dual strengths of artistic excellence and accessible, exciting learning opportunities. We put our civic responsibility to improve our city at the heart of everything we do. We want to be for everyone and we want everyone to feel welcome. The team at Derby Theatre work hard to ensure we can be a community centre for our locale, a laboratory for artists and a great night out for our audiences. We understand that our remit goes far beyond our walls too – you’ll find us in schools, community centres, care homes and beyond bringing great drama and life changing experiences to those we meet. This year we presented over 300 nights of entertainment in our main house and studio and delivered hundreds of workshops in our community for young people. Thanks to Arts Council England we’ve also received a Catalyst grant which means that every £1 we raise for our charity is matched with another £1. So this year you can expect more great drama both on and off our stages. Derby Theatre is Your Theatre and I hope you enjoy flicking through this annual review and celebrating with us what has been a fantastic year.
Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Derby Theatre
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AUG
SEP
OCT
4th Oct 2016 22nd Oct 2016
Sweeney Todd
SEEN BY
8,637 PEOPLE
43% OF THE AUDIENCE WERE NEW ATTENDERS 12 MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
PERFORMED AS PART OUR COMMUNITY CAST HUGH MAYNARD WAS THE FIRST BLACK PERFORMER IN THE UK TO PLAY THE ICONIC ROLE OF SWEENEY TODD IN A PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION
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“ Imaginatively staged and immaculately delivered” The Stage
“A bloody good Sweeney Todd at Derby Theatre… Superb” East Midlands Theatre
This production of Stephen Sondheim’s multi-award-winning musical, performed by a stellar cast, was a true highlight of the autumn season. Co-produced with Mercury Theatre Colchester, and directed by Daniel Buckroyd, this allowed us to take the name of Derby Theatre and our city to an even wider audience. The amazingly flexible set allowed for the creation of incredible, beautiful, almost filmic sequences (including the clever disposal of Sweeney’s victims!) where dozens of litres of fake blood were also used.
Sophie-Louise Dann and Hugh Maynard in Sweeney Todd, photography by Robert Day.
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SEP
OCT
Alice in Wonderland “Wholly original
and truly inspired… the best theatre of its kind” The Stage
SEEN BY OVER
23,000 PEOPLE
7,524 LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN SAW THE SHOW 18 YOUNG PERFORMERS FROM THE LOCAL AREA
WERE IN THE YOUNG COMPANY AND PERFORMED IN THE SHOW THE PRODUCTION WAS SPONSORED BY MINI STRATSTONE DERBY
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2nd Dec 2016 7th Jan 2017
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
Olivier award-winning writer Mike Kenny’s brand new adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic story dazzled audiences of all ages. Directed by Sarah Brigham, the show was performed by a multi-talented company of actor-musicians. This winning formula resulted in the show being the most successful main house Christmas show produced by Derby Theatre to date. The rehearsal and production process for the show offered four University of Derby students the opportunity to shadow the creatives and professionals responsible for producing and marketing the production. After each performance, bucket collections were held to raise funds for Plus One, the citywide ticket donation scheme to provide children in care and care leavers with free arts experiences in and around the city, and during the run of Alice In Wonderland these collections raised over £12,000.
MAY
JUN
JUL
“ A wonderful theatrical confection in which being totally bonkers is perfectly normal as long as there is tea and cake… splendid… a great theatrical treat for all the family” East Midlands Theatre
Abby Wain in Alice In Wonderland, photography by Robert Day.
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6th Dec 2016 31st Dec 2016
Jack Jack, directed by Sarah Brigham, was a huge hit with audiences, both with the young and young at heart, and proved the perfect introduction to theatre for ages 3+. Original music, inventive puppetry and fun storytelling all came together for this wonderful adaptation from award-winning writer Mike Kenny, to create a magical, festive show. The success of the show also saw a huge increase in family audiences attending the Studio space.
3,813 PEOPLE SAW THE SHOW 940 LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN VISITED 8
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MAR
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“A gigantic success” East Midlands Theatre
“A brilliant adaptation and wonderful production” View from a Daddy blogger
Martyn Dempsey, Yana Penrose and Jake Waring in Jack, photography by Robert Day.
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JAN
Betrayal Derby Theatre’s spring production of Harold Pinter’s iconic play also marked Lekan Lawal’s main stage debut as Director, after working closely with the venue as Resident Assistant Director as part of the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme. Neil Irish created a wonderfully innovative set, which heightened the intensity of this gripping and bitterly dark comedy. To enhance the run of the show, and as part of Derby Theatre’s Unwrapped programme, we hosted Pinter Unwrapped, a symposium to discuss the works of Harold Pinter, chaired by journalist, broadcaster and author, Mark Lawson.
“The whole production is a triumph" BEST DIRECTOR AWARD FOR LEKAN LAWAL AT THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS SEEN BY
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3,620 PEOPLE
Theatreworld
Phillip Correia and Kemi-Bo Jacobs in Betrayal, photography by Robert Day.
FEB
MAR
27th Feb 2017 11 Mar 2017
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
17th Mar 2017 1st Apr 2017
Educating Rita Willy Russell’s award-winning, heart-warming and hugely popular play was a co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton, directed by Elizabeth Newman. An uplifting tale of self-discovery in which, through the central character Rita, audiences witnessed how the power of choice comes through education. To develop new audiences, and to build relationships with local businesses, we offered complimentary tickets to hairdressers to see the performance on the opening night.
“A wonder to behold..." The Guardian
CO-PRODUCTION WITH OCTAGON THEATRE BOLTON -SEEN BY
7,277 PEOPLE
Jessica Baglow in Educating Rita, photography by Richard Davenport.
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Departure Lounge and Arrivals Festival Derby Theatre’s summer festival of new shows, workshops and talks celebrated its fifth year in style, with the whole venue (and even car park!) transformed into a festival site. The thrilling four day festival of contemporary theatre, celebrating performance in the East Midlands and beyond, was also spearheaded by an industry day chaired by Lyn Gardner and attended by many key and influential figures in the arts industry from across the UK. In addition to the packed Departure Lounge schedule, a whole new festival was added to the bill: Arrivals, which celebrated the best of new writing and young voices, including Derby Youth Theatre’s production of The Blue Road.
27 PERFORMANCES, WORKSHOPS AND TALKS DELIVERED
FESTIVAL ATTENDERS CAME FROM ACROSS THE UK HAILED AS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE CULTURAL CALENDAR BY LYN GARDNER
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As part of Arrivals, the Theatre hosted New Writing, Young Voices: Can You Hear Us Now?!, a panel made up of young creatives who make theatre both with and for young people, chaired by Sarah Brigham, which focussed on a discussion around how our next generation of theatre-makers and theatre-goers are genuinely represented on our stages.
Two Destination Language’s production of Declining Solo from Departure Lounge 2017, photography by Matt Cawrey.
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20th July 2017 23rd July 2017
The Blue Road
27th July 2017 29th July 2017
Commissioned by Dundee Rep, Derby Theatre, Royal & Derngate Northampton and Theatre Royal Plymouth, The Blue Road was an inspiring project which saw Laura Lomas’ new play premiered in four venues across the UK by the most talented young actors. A cast of 16 Derby Youth Theatre performers took to the main stage at Derby Theatre, in a captivating performance featuring moving original music by Ivan Stott.
“ This truly was theatre created by young people, for everyone” Derby Theatre Youth Theatre participants in The Blue Road, photography by Robert Day.
Alice Vincent, Reviewer and Blogger
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Touring Programme Our received programme was busier than ever, offering audiences 67 stellar productions to choose from over the year. Productions in our main house varied from John Godber Company’s new comedy play This Might Hurt, a week-long run of Bill Kenwright’s production of The Shawshank Redemption which played to a huge 92% capacity, and The Original Theatre Company production Invincible. Our younger audience were delighted by a host of family shows including Birmingham Stage Company’s Gangsta Granny, Northern Ballet’s stunning Goldilock’s and the Three Bears and a sell-out performance of Morgan & West’s Magic Show for Kids and Childish Grown-Ups. Our Studio continued to offer the best in innovative new writing, including the RashDash and Northern Stage co-production in association with Soho Theatre production Two Man Show and An Evening With An Immigrant, written and performed by Inua Ellams.
Visiting companies and producers included:
Main Theatre
The John Godber Company Theatre Royal Wakefield Bill Kenwright Limited Jacksons Lane & Lost in Translation Circus The Original Theatre Company Theatre Bury St Edmunds RIP Productions Ltd Northern Broadsides in partnership
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with New Vic Theatre & Newcastle-under-Lyme Reduced Shakespeare Company Seabright Productions Crying Out Loud on behalf of Circus Evolution Live Nation Music UK Opera Up Close Gary Clarke Company
Family: Nonsuch Theatre Hot Coals Theatre
Quite Remarkable Productions Birmingham Stage Company Big Wooden Horse Munchkin Entertainment Ltd Northern Ballet Nicol Ltd Fidget Theatre in association with Little Mighty Egg Box Theatre M6 Theatre Company Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah Deafinitely Theatre
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FEB
MAR
APR
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JUL
Graeme Brookes and Emily Bowker in Invincible, photography by Jack Ladenburg.
Jenny Hackwell as Goldilocks and Lorenzo Trossello as Blue Bird in Goldilocks And The Three Bears, photography by Brian Slater.
Studio
Yolanda Mercy Jenny Lee Jack Dean in association with Derby Theatre, Arc Stockton & Bike Shed Theatre Tangled Feet RashDash and Northern Stage co-production in association with Soho Theatre Theatre 503 and Bristol Old vic in assosciation with Tara Finney Phil McIntyre Entertainments
Black Toffee & Harrogate Theatre Zoo Indigo 1623 Theatre Company Jack Brittain Louise White Mandala Theatre Company Toot & Ovalhouse Access All Areas Katy Baird Live Wire & Roughhouse Theatre Inua Ellams & Fuel with Black Theatre Live
Conrad Murray – developed by Battersea Arts Centre NotNow Collective Sh!t Theatre Alice Mary Cooper Uncanny Theatre Hubbub Theatre Company Sleeping Trees Certain Dark Things Paper Tiger Productions & Greenwich Theatre
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Our University Partnership The theatre’s unique partnership with the University of Derby presents students with a rare opportunity to learn, develop and be nurtured 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 and work experience in marketing, technical, set and costume design. Last year, Derby Theatre hosted Pronoun on the main stage and The Tempest, Marat Sade and Kvetch in the Studio, supporting second and third year students with their accredited performances for a public audience.
The Tempest performed in Dec 2016, photography by Richard Richards.
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Creative Learning Learning is at the heart of what we do at Derby Theatre and our mission is to offer education and learning opportunities for everyone, whatever their age or background. We offer unique opportunities for schools, students, artists, audiences and our local community to get to the core of our creative processes through our innovative programme of workshops, open rehearsals, conferences, talks, and bespoke training, all of which enable people of any age a chance to develop new skills, rediscover old ones or to just ignite a passion. Our unique partnership with the University of Derby also gives students a rare chance to train in a professional working environment and have hands on access to professional theatre staff. Young people who come through our doors are at the core of our learning programme and all members of the team at Derby Theatre take a role in introducing young people to all areas of the theatre; from performing, marketing, event management, technical theatre and much more to help develop their skills and grow their confidence.
800
OVER YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORMED ON OUR MAIN STAGE AND IN OUR STUDIO
1,789 WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS DELIVERED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
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“ Being able to explore my own ideas and learning from other young creative minds influences me a lot� Youth Theatre Member
Derby Theatre Youth Theatre participants in their Spring triple bill show, photography by Matt Cawrey.
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“ I would like to thank everyone who helps make these projects happen; the impact they make on my life and other young people’s is massive!” Plus One participant
Plus One
Theatre Unwrapped
The innovative partnership with arts organisations and care services across Derbyshire continued to offer hundreds of free theatre visits to young people in care, care leavers and their families. As well as visiting the theatre, the Plus One scheme enables hundreds of young people to participate in a host of exciting opportunities, with the aim of opening doors, changing perceptions and enriching lives. 2016/17 saw another year of generous public donations, enabling the Plus One scheme to thrive.
Following the launch of this unique scheme in 2015, we opened our back stage doors again, allowing audiences to join us at the heart of the theatre making process behind the scenes, as our creative and technical teams prepared for opening nights of our produced work. All Unwrapped sessions are completely free and offer unique insights into lighting design, costume making, sound composition and other theatre-making disciplines
£12,000 RAISED THROUGH
22 THEATRE UNWRAPPED
45 LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN AND CARE
191 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN OUR
PUBLIC DONATIONS
LEAVERS AGED BETWEEN 13-22 TOOK PART IN PLUS ONE CROSS ARTS PROJECTS WORKING WITH A RANGE OF ARTISTS WINNER OF THE BE MIGHTY BE CREATIVE GALA AWARDS 2017 WINNER OF THE CULTURAL LIFE AWARD
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SESSIONS DELIVERED
THEATRE UNWRAPPED SESSIONS
Derby Theatre Youth Theatre participants in rehearsal, photography by Chris Webb.
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Emerging Talent Derby Theatre and In Good Company have been a dynamic catalyst for the development of new work and regional artists, and has inspired a culture of nurture and support across the region. The companies benefit from commissioning money, rehearsal space in kind, masterclasses and direct access to the advice and expertise of an independent creative producer, plus many other professional development opportunities. Over forty applications were submitted through a competitive open access call-out and application process, and the successful Associate Artists for 2016 – 2018 are Flickbook, Not Now Collective, David Ralfe and Louise White.
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“ London is looking at In Good Company and what you are doing in this region… you are beyond the curve” Madani Younis, The Bush Theatre
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SUPPORTED OVER SUCCESSFUL GRANTS FOR THE ARTS APPLICATIONS
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HOSTED PAID SCRATCH PERFORMANCE PLATFORMS, EACH SUPPORTING FIVE NEW PIECES OF WORK IGC WORKED WITH THE ERDF PROJECT BIG HOUSE TO OFFER FINANCIAL AND BESPOKE 1:1 SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE AND DERBYSHIRE
50 WORKSHOPS
PRODUCED OVER FOR LOCAL ARTISTS
SUPPORTED ASSOCIATE ARTISTS WITH FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TOTALLING
£33,000
Sleeping Trees in Sci Fi, photography by Rosie Powell.
“ Without the support of In Good Company we would not have had the confidence, financial support or infrastructure to achieve and sustain the ambitious and crucial development period we are currently undertaking” Maison Foo (Associate Artists 2014/15)
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Fundraising & Development As a registered charity the funding Derby Theatre receives from trusts and foundations forms a crucial part of the venue’s income, alongside the core support from the University of Derby, Arts Council England and revenue from ticket sales. Our busy sponsorship and development programme runs alongside this, with all money raised supporting our creative programme, learning opportunities and participatory work with young people, community groups, local artists and audience members.
Thank you to all those generous individuals and organisations that supported us – you have truly made a difference to cultural life in Derby and beyond.
During this year, over £624k worth of public donations, grants and sponsorship was secured, helping us deliver some incredible projects.
Highlights
£150,000
Received from Catalyst: Evolve funding from Arts Council England which matches public donations and corporate sponsorship £1 for £1.
£45,000
Awarded from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to support the venue’s work.
£12,000
Received in public donations for our Plus One scheme, providing creative opportunities and a chance to attend shows for young people in care and care leavers.
£17,500
Received from public donations to support our vast learning programme which works with schools, colleges, young people and audience members. Received sponsorship from local and regional companies including Mini Stratstone Derby, Office Care and Reprotec.
Part of the Derbyshire Community Foundation For Derbyshire for good
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Financial Performance 2016/17 was a very successful year for the theatre financially. We were able to deliver a surplus of over £231,000, which was transferred into our reserves to improve our financial sustainability.
Total income increased by
6% to £3.14m
Total ticket income exceeded
£1m
Public funding made up
32%
of our income
Over
£120k
invested in working directly with children and young people through our Creative Learning Programme
68%
self-generated from a range of sources including ticket income, bars and catering, trusts and foundations, sponsorship, hires, royalties and commissions
Investment in the work on our stages increased by
14%
Ticket income on Derby Theatre Productions increased by
Ticket income on received productions
We reduced our overhead costs over the year by a total of
We also brought our catering in house at the start of the financial year and achieved a healthy surplus over our first full year operation
8%
10%
24%
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Board & Staff Members Board Members Jane Claire Prof Huw Davies Graham Devlin Dawn Foote Chris Hughes Chair Melissa Martin Prof Kathryn Mitchell Hari Punchihewa Ian Willgoose Derby Theatre Staff Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Rachael Thomas Executive Director (Financial and Commercial) Caroline Barth Creative Learning Director Administration Helen Pack Administration Officer 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 George Boden Jasmine Barkes Jess Colebourne –Viggers Rosie Field Greg Forrest Adam Horvath Edward Jones Terrianne Lloyd-Jones
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Beki Mahon Andy Mandiou Lauren Monaghan Kate Spencer Annabelle Terry Catering Iona Henry Catering Manager Catering Assistants Imran Cousins Janet Khan Katyanna Malcom Development Andrew McIntyre Business Development Manager Paul Challacombe Development Officer Finance Harriet Spalding Finance Officer Lukas Slonimski Finance Assistant Front of House Katrina Richardson House Manager Andrew Tinley Front of House Manager (Acting) Ruth Brailsford Duty Manager Helena Rimmer Duty Manager Aadam Khan Duty Manager Customer Service Assistants Niamh Atkinson Hannah Brent Joseph Burton Jake Castle Darius Cranston Reuben Dykes
Georgie Hughes Ellie-May Jones Christine Kilby Sam Lammond Shane Lynch Sara MacGeagh Beki Mahoon Katyana Malcolm Andy Mihnea Tara Morley Jordan Peters Rebecca Pipes Daniel Richardson Emily Redlaff Mia Schroder Natalie Simone Amy Smith Ashton Vine Learning Nicola Bellenger Creative Learning Associate Beth Williams Stage Management and Learning Coordinator Alix Manning-Jones Cultural Education Producer Cheryl Mitchell Creative Learning Associate Marketing Marianne Jacques Marketing and Audience Development Manager Heidi McKenzie Senior Press and Marketing 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 Oshawa Trainee Director Emily Coleman Associate Producer (In Good Company) Daniel Nicholas Assistant Producer (In Good Company) Raffia Hussain Regional Associate Producer (Sustained Theatre) Technical Phil Bentley Head of Production and Facilities Andy Nairn Technical Stage Manager Lianne Clamp Technician (Stage) Ele Munn Technician (Sound) Katy Whitehouse Technician (Lighting) Hazel Dunnicliffe Production Assistant Wardrobe Tim Heywood Head of Wardrobe Natalia Czuplak Wardrobe Assistant and Dresser Karen Owen Wardrobe Assistant
Looking Forward
In 2016/17 we had incredible growth and cemented the venue’s reputation as a hub of innovation and quality.
I am so very proud of what the venue has achieved, thanks to the passion of our teams and the support we receive. Everything we achieve wouldn’t be possible without you, our audiences, so I hope you are as excited I am about the future of Derby Theatre and will continue to play your part in our story. Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Derby Theatre
Esme Sears in Peter Pan, photography by Robert Day.
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University of Derby Theatre Limited, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, Derby, DE1 2NF Charity number 1129005 Registered as a limited company in England no 06858792 Registered office: Kedleston Road, Derby, Derbyshire, DE22 1GB Front cover image: Abby Wain in Alice In Wonderland, photography by Robert Day Designed by: thegreatfield.co.uk