Belgrade Belgrade Theatre Review Review of of the the Year 2011/2012
“… a place where people grow and learn and celebrate life.”
performances of
72
productions
138,500 René Olivieri
audience members plus
47,500
audiences on tour
45%
concessions
443
free tickets to under 26s
51%
earned income
9,505
Community & Education Participation Opportunities National Press
equivalent value of column inches (excluding TV, radio or internet).
2011/2012 statistics
Belgrade Theatre Trust (Coventry) Limited (A company limited by guarantee)
At the core of this, however, is its impressive cultural offering with the Belgrade Theatre at its heart. The Belgrade recognises that people come to cities to do more than work - they shop, play, eat, and socialise here. The Theatre is more than just another source of entertainment for its community, it’s a place where people grow and learn and celebrate life. Theatre helps build communities and I’ve been impressed at how well the Belgrade achieves this and how well loved and used it is by all walks of life. I’ve also been impressed by Hamish’s bold vision. Experiencing such fantastically high quality drama as Bomber’s Moon, Nora, Stars in the Morning Sky and The Father has reinforced in my mind the importance of the Belgrade’s aim to offer audiences something different.
Board Members:
2011/12 was the first year of the Theatre’s three year contract as an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). It was a difficult year given declining core funding and low public confidence which affects ticket sales. While the Theatre has done very well to increase its earnings from new sources (commercial set building via Belgrade Production Services, Events and Conferencing, Trusts and Sponsorship and a new Non Voluntary Contribution that forms part of the ticket price) it has not proved possible to replace entirely the loss of income from statutory and box office sources. However the Theatre was able to return a surplus in the year due in large part to some highly successful visiting company work in the final quarter of the year, and thus is able to boost its reserves, which at a time of economic uncertainty is to be welcomed.
That unique experience is one of the things that sets it aside from other regional theatres, and with such high standards also gives it an international standing. Of course the Theatre is also loved for giving its community access to a range of much loved touring shows like David Essex’s All the Fun of the Fair and Moscow Ballet – both performing to sell out audiences this year. But it’s the work of the Community & Education Company that really moves me. Their aim is to “transform lives” and I’ve been astounded by the range and scope of the work they offer not to mention the ambition of putting on shows like Spring Awakening, which they pulled off with an impressive level of professionalism. I’ve joined the Belgrade team during an unsettling economic climate. Amid funding cuts, and audiences juggling priorities for their limited funds, the Theatre is doing remarkably well to retain its standards and not lose sight of its vision. I’ve no doubt that the Belgrade’s hard working staff and committed management are at the centre of this success and with the continued support of the public I’m sure the Belgrade will continue to shine.
René Olivieri Chairman
Mr A C Dent Mr P Fenner ACA/FCCA Mr R Olivieri, Chairman Ms K J Reid BA Hons Mr B C Beck BSc, C.Eng, MICE (resigned 24/11/11) Mr D J Shortland FRICS, Hon DBA (resigned 22/9/11) Mrs P Johnstone (appointed 24/11/11) Mr J McGuigan (appointed 22/9/11) Ms C M Hamilton (resigned 22/9/11) Mr N K Rambhani (resigned 9/6/11) Mrs C H Barnett BA Hons Cllr A Skipper BA MA PGCE DipM MCIM (resigned 22/9/11) Mr A Bhabra (appoint4ed 24/11/11) Cllr D Welsh Cllr J Blundell Mrs D Williams Mr W H Glen LLB
The ambition remains for the Theatre to reach its optimum balance between producing and presented work, keep B2 open and protect its Community & Education programme. The results from 2011/12 for BPS, Events & Conferencing and Trusts and Sponsorship see some recovery in these sources of income which remain however fragile in the face of the country’s economic problems.
The Theatre has returned an excellent year’s result despite some very high variances in some areas of income with audiences showing more caution for unknown plays but enthusiastically embracing feel good shows. The last quarter of the financial year in particular delivered unexpectedly good box office for the Theatre’s programme of Visiting Company work and the Theatre’s reserves were increased and will serve as contingencies against unexpected loss of income in the coming years. This financial strength combined with the proven ability of the staff and Executive Team to manage and control costs and maximise income opportunities, gives the Theatre the tools to meet the critical need of maintaining a reasonable balance between in-house and presented work even in the face of declining levels of public funding. Thus going forward the Theatre still plans to produce at least six in house shows a year, programme B2 for as many weeks as it can and maintain the Community & Education programmes.
The general economic climate continues to bite, however the Theatre is still vibrant and serving audiences a wide selection of different shows, to appeal to many different theatrical tastes. During the year the Theatre presented 384 performances of 72 different productions, of which six were the Belgrade’s own produced shows. Total audiences were 138,600.
Picture: The Father (March 2012)
£840,000
I have been honoured to have been able take on the role of Chair of the Belgrade Theatre this year. As a relative newcomer to the city I know it has been helpful to see Coventry through fresh eyes and what I see is a city with many assets: a good infrastructure and communications; a diverse, skilled, growing workforce; fantastic further education; and a forward-thinking local government.
The Belgrade Theatre's vision: To be one of the most dynamic producing houses in the country. Mission: Our role is to provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality for Coventry and the surrounding regions and to act as an ambassador for Coventry & The West Midlands when touring.
Production photographs: Robert Day & Paul Blakemore. Other photos: George Archer & Nicola Young.
384
Company Secretary and Executive Director : Ms K J Reid BA Hons
Registered office:
Chief Executive and Artistic Director: Mr W H Glen LLB
Belgrade Theatre Belgrade Square Coventry West Midlands CV1 1GS
Funding Body Representatives entitled to attend Board meetings: Arts Council England West Midlands - Ms R Robbins (Regional Director West Midlands) Arts Council England West Midlands - Mr M Addison (Theatre Officer) Coventry City Council - Mr D Cockcroft (Assistant Director, City Centre & Development Services) Charity registered number 219163
Company registered number 593331
Hamish Glen
As the Theatre approaches its fifth year since re-opening and the launch of its bold artistic vision it was the first year for the general funding cuts to hit the Theatre in a significant way. Both Coventry City Council (CCC) and the Arts Council England passed on cuts to the Theatre and as a result we had to reduce our output to just six of our own productions. Despite this, it is pleasing to report that the ambition of the Theatre’s programming policy won significant national press coverage and support. The Belgrade was cited as one of very few Theatres in England still resisting the pressures to retrench to safe, conservative programming. Our producing year opened with Bomber’s Moon, following this were Nora, a version of The Doll’s House, Stars in the Morning Sky, which was awarded the Inspire mark, and The Father. The annual pantomime was Mother Goose, alongside an “alternative Christmas show” Crackers. The challenge going forward is how to continue to articulate a bold artistic policy that differentiates the Belgrade in the region, but also respond to a more conservative audience attitude toward new and challenging work which is understandable at a time when audiences may feel more insecure about their own futures. At the same time, both our main funders, Coventry City Council and Arts
“The Belgrade is to be admired for such a serious endeavor.”
“inspires, entertains and enriches lives.” Council England, are being forced to reduce their expenditure and seek efficiencies. Although they both recognise the important creative and community work of the Belgrade, they must also maximise the return on their respective investments in the Theatre. We are determined to continue to deliver on the targets we have agreed, despite cuts in our core funding. In March 2011, the Theatre secured National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status from Arts Council England for 2012-2015 on confirmed levels of funding, which, however mean an overall cut of 15% since 2010. CCC funding in 2011/12 was cut by 3% and another cut of circa 5% in 2012/13 with formal advice of further cuts to come. The Theatre has drawn up ambitious plans to increase funding from new sources, Increase fund raising under the leadership of the Chairman and the whole Board and is also grateful to have won a Catalyst Grant from the Arts Council to help it make a step change in this area of income. Our loyal and talented staff have embraced the challenges that will be initiated over the coming years by the Catalyst Grant and are determined to work together to continue to secure the future of Coventry’s much loved theatre, despite the on-going economic challenges. The Belgrade continues to be nourished by the thousands who use it and is committed to continue to offer them a bold local theatre that inspires, entertains and enriches lives.
Hamish Glen Artistic Director & Chief Executive.
“Hamish Glen’s revival is provocatively timed.”
“… some daring programming that hasn’t always been popular. But when I saw Strindberg’s The Father there, in a production that has just closed, there was a sizeable house that sat for an uninterrupted two hours in rapt Attention.”
Pictures: Top left: Bomber’s Moon (Sept 2011), Middle: Crackers (Dec 2011), Middle left: The Father (March 2012), Top right: Mother Goose (Panto 2011), Middle right: Nora (Feb 2012). Main image: The Stars in the Morning Sky (March 2012).
“A wonderful show.”
“You have to salute the courage of the Belgrade Theatre. In these hard times, the temptation must be to programme light escapist entertainment to draw the crowds. Instead it is programming those Scandinavian doomand-gloom merchants Ibsen and Strindberg.”
other existing groups created new work around health themes key to the city, including the Senior Youth Theatre’s production Ministry of Meh exploring the effects of the abolition of the NHS.
Picture: Ministry of Meh
The Critical Mass programme, which encourages playwrights from Black and Minority Ethnic communities, continues to go from strength to strength and has seen a significant increase in the number of applications.
“The performance was visually stimulating and the intimate feel of it made the children feel very involved. Thank you for a great morning.” Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School on Big School
Community & Education Company The Belgrade Community & Education Company (C&E) aims first and foremost to make pieces of work that bear witness to voices marginalised in the mainstream. It believes that these voices are best heard if presented in original and high quality pieces of work that people want to watch and listen to. The Community & Education Company are also committed to supporting its participants to develop skills and understanding that enables them to develop careers in the performing arts, so increasing the diversity of the arts workforce. In 2011/12 507 workshops were delivered and over 3000 audience members watched five productions, two animations and a film. This included two new pieces created for the Coventry Mysteries 2011: My Perfect School and Article 36 which were themed around Rights and Responsibilities and inspired by the UN declaration on the Rights of the Child. Other work included baitbook: A devised performance which raised the awareness of the dangers and benefits of social networking, Pester Power: An animation commissioned by West Midlands Police which raised awareness of Crime Prevention in Primaryaged pupils and Promise, a TiE production on the transition from primary to secondary school which toured 39 schools in Coventry. The success of last year’s Young Company in developing the abilities of the most talented members of the
Picture: Spring Awakening
Belgrade’s Youth Theatres was built upon with a production of Spring Awakening by Frank Wedekind, which was the first time in eight years that the youth theatres explored an alreadyexisting script. The programme for the new academic year in 2011 was themed around Health and to connect with the Olympic year entitled ‘Creative Gymnasium’ to draw attention to the health and well-being benefits of participation in arts activity. Key to the programme is a new initiative funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Trust and Awards for All, that uses arts to develop education resources for teaching sexual health in secondary schools, and aims to raise levels of well-being amongst people aged 50+. In addition to the above programme Picture: Summer School Sharing
Picture: Spring Awakening
2011/12 stats 507 Workshops 9505 participation opportunities 39 performances in schools 76 different Community Groups supported 32 BTEC certificates achieved 37% of participants from priority Postcode areas
“It was an eye opener and especially gets the message across to youths who do not otherwise engage in the news.” Ministry of Meh audience member. Picture: baitbook
THE BELGRADE THEATRE:
Is a National leader in education work ... The Theatre has been celebrated in a Government White Paper for its work in improving educational standards and the social skills of the city’s young people.
The Belgrade is a vibrant place offering a wide range of shows that appeal to a variety of audiences. It does extensive and sustained work with the city’s communities within priority post code areas and attracts people who have never been to the theatre before. This includes running an Outreach Youth Theatre in Canley targeting young people who would find it difficult into the theatre to attend workshops.
For example, in partnership with the Education Authority, the
Belgrade tours to 60% of year 6 pupils in Coventry’s primary schools each year with the Theatre in Education play, Big School.
Picture: Open Doors
Promotes community cohesion …
It has been commended nationally for its work in community and
neighbourhood cohesion, delivering 9,505 participatory learning opportunities per year to the city’s children and young people.
The Belgrade’s Education Officer post established in 2010 enables the theatre to build relationships with even more schools.
Commendation for work in Intercultural Dialogue at the 2011 National Awards for Bridging Cultures.
Recognised in the Coventry Community Cohesion and Pride of Coventry Awards.
Picture: Education Officer
The Belgrade Theatre invented TiE (Theatre in Education)
13,000 school tickets sold at the theatre. 39 performances in schools. 2097 pupils saw Big School.
“All the students from Blue Coat School had a brilliant time and seemed to get a huge amount out of the day and they now have a much clearer insight into what career paths they can choose.”
Open Doors 2011
“I enjoyed working with a culturally diverse cast and thought it was really important that we chose to put on a play using colour blind casting.”
Spring Awakening Participant
Picture: Coventry Mysteries 2011
THE BELGRADE THEATRE:
Is key to the City’s regeneration …
Aids employability …
The Theatre is pivotal to the city’s economic regeneration, attracting increasing numbers of people from outside areas and at the heart of the city’s night time economy.
The Belgrade provides participative arts activity free at the point of delivery ensuring access to those who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend. These activities enable the development of confidence, transference of skills and the creation of high quality work by and for local people.
North
Acting Out, is the Belgrade’s ground-breaking work-related learning project which was cited in a Government White Paper for Best Practice.
13453 from City
In 2011 32 BTEC qualification’s were awarded to students who were at risk of exclusion from school.
Number of bookers by area*** 5021 from North Warwickshire
South
3119 from South Warwickshire 4298 from other areas
The Theatre employs up to 120 people at the height of its season and
25,891 bookers in total
during 2011/12 supported the equivalent of a further 67 full time posts.
48%
of visitors come from
outside of the Coventry city area. ***Note: number of bookers figure is the number of individuals making the booking, not the number of tickets purchased. *** Note: number of bookers figure is the
number of individuals booking, not the number of tickets purchased.
The Belgrade participates in national events, such as the 2012 Olympics with its revival of We Love You City and Stars in the Morning Sky. A wide range of shows that appeal to a variety of audiences. Well known and loved in the City. The Belgrade makes a significant contribution to the well-being of local people contributing towards making Coventry a good
place to work and live.
Belgrade Production Services was developed not only to provide a new income stream for the Theatre but also to retain a pool of skilled workers
in the city. During 2011/12 we provided almost 9,800 hours of work for freelance/casual carpenters, welders, props makers, scenic artists and wardrobe technicians, in addition to the Belgrade’s core staffing.
Apprenticeships/Internships/Placements: Named the Creative
Apprentice Employer of the Year 2012 by the
National Skills Academy in recognition of its thriving creative apprenticeship scheme, which employed apprentices in Operations, Community & Education, Electrics, Sound, Wardrobe and Marketing. In addition 3,604 hours of work placements were provided.
1958 listed building, refurbished and extended in 2007 with a 14m capital project. The attraction for the £150m Belgrade Plaza Development. Attracting £840,000 of National Press coverage In 20011/12.
Helping ourselves and others … Theatre works works hard hard to to develop develop and and diversify diversify its its income income streams, streams, creating creating Belgrade Belgrade Production Production Theatre Services, commercial commercial workshop workshop programmes programmes for for children children and and young young people people and and through through Services, Events Events & & Conferencing. Conferencing. The The Theatre Theatre now now earns earns
51% ofof its its income, income, up up from from 30% 30% four four years years ago. ago.
** Belgrade Belgrade Enterprises Enterprises Ltd Ltd incorporates incorporates income earned earned by by Belgrade Belgrade Production Production income Services, Services, Conferencing Conferencing & & Events Events and and ices/merchandising. ices/merchandising.
£350k £350k
Three Three new new sources sources of of commercial commercial income income (Belgrade (Belgrade Production Production Services, Services, Events Events & & Conferencing, commercial drama workshops) earned £350k turnover in 2011/12 Conferencing, commercial drama workshops) earned £350k turnover in 2011/12 and and £988,000 £988,000 since since 2007. 2007.
£654k £654k
£654k £654k raised raised from from fundraising fundraising (a (a new new source source of of income) income) since since reopening reopening in in 2007 2007 to to support revenue revenue activity, activity, £113k £113k of of which which is is from from outside outside the the region. region. support
£3.o1 £3.o1
During 2011/12 2011/12 each each £1 £1 of of CCC CCC funding funding was was matched matched by by £2.11 £2.11 of of earned earned income income which which During rises to £3.01 with Arts Council funding. rises to £3.01 with Arts Council funding.
45%
of of our our tickets tickets were were sold sold to to people people eligible for a concession ** eligible for a concession**
We enable enable access access to to the the arts arts via: via: We •• Concessionary Concessionary ticket ticket schemes schemes for for paid paid activity activity •• Wheelchair access to all public areas Wheelchair access to all public areas of of the the Building. Building.
•• ••
Free Free access access for for community community activity activity Access performances Access performances for for those those with with hearing hearing or sight sight impairment. impairment. or
The The Belgrade Belgrade Theatre Theatre gratefully gratefully acknowledges acknowledges financial financial support support from: from:
The The Belgrade Belgrade Theatre Theatre is is reliant reliant on on a a number number of of organisations organisations who who support support its its work work in in the the community. community. These These generous generous supporters supporters make make it possible possible for for us us to to undertake undertake our our exciting exciting and and innovative innovative programme programme of of work. work. Supporters Supporters in in 2011/12 2011/12 included: included: Awards Awards for for All All it England, England, The The Higgs Higgs Charity, Charity, Sir Sir Barry Barry Jackson Jackson Trust, Trust, 29th 29th May May 1961 1961 Charitable Charitable Trust, Trust, Esmeé Esmeé Fairbairn Fairbairn Foundation. Foundation. We gratefully acknowledge the commitment of all our supporters. We gratefully acknowledge the commitment of all our supporters.
Printed Printedon onFSC FSCpaper paper
** ** Concessions Concessions comprise: comprise: Unemployed, Unemployed, Students, Students, Children, Children, Disabled, Disabled, OAPs OAPs and and Passport Passport to to Leisure. Leisure. Other Other discounts discounts include include 20% 20% and and other other offers. offers.