Belgrade Theatre Review of the Year 2016/2017
“Last year the Belgrade won national recognition for its hard work in the area of diversity by winning the UK Theatre
Award for the Promotion of Diversity”
CHAIRMAN’S LETTER I find it difficult to believe that this is my fifth year as Chairman of the Belgrade’s Board of Directors. What a journey it’s been and I can’t express how proud I am to see what a strong place we’re currently in. There is so much more to the Belgrade than immediately meets the eye! As well as an exceptional programme of produced and received work, the team at the Belgrade has worked hard to play its role in life-blood of the City’s community, addressing issues like diversity, access, talent development and of course being central to Coventry’s City of Culture bid. Last year the Belgrade won national recognition for its hard work in the area of diversity by winning the UK Theatre Award for Promotion of Diversity as well as the Cultural Education Award in the Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards. This is especially important for Coventry with its diverse population. Our success was not just the fantastic range of diverse shows now included in the programme like MADE IN INDIA, FREEMAN, WIPERS and BRING ON THE BOLLYWOOD, and not just the successful marketing campaigns and audience development work being done, but the organisation-wide
approach that engages the whole theatre staff and pays attention to every important detail from staff and casting to targeted drama groups. Ongoing investment means that the Belgrade can pride itself in being fully accessible and amongst other facilities, offers captioned, audio described and sign language interpreted performances. 2016 was the year the Belgrade offered its first relaxed performance for those with learning disabilities or on the autistic spectrum. It’s important for the Belgrade to share its knowledge and resources so it acts as a hub for talent development, ensuring that local creatives at the start of their career are given the best possible chance to succeed. I’m delighted that eleven companies were supported by the Belgrade last year through its In Association and Springboard models and saw new companies like Noctium and Strictly Arts Theatre, go on to secure Arts Council funding. The Belgrade is rich with hardworking, talented staff who have helped to make it the success it is today. Thanks must go not just to them, but also to those who continue to support it. Stewart Fergusson Chairman
“A show of rip-roaring nostalgia and obvious quality”
★★★★
Musical Theatre Review on Roll Over Beethoven
FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE In our last annual report I recall saying how that year must have been our busiest yet, so this year I’m delighted to be able to say that audience numbers have again grown to their highest ever with 176,180 tickets sold. The Theatre produced, co-produced or supported 28 professional and professionally led pieces of work, including work from our Springboard and In Association companies and artists, three of which went on to tour nationally. The Belgrade produced eight of its own professional shows covering a broad range of interests. The premieres of WIPERS and MADE IN INDIA spoke to the black and minority ethnic experience in the UK. The OSTRICH BOYS for young people, and the British premiere of THE QUITE REMARKABLE ADVENTURES OF THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT based on Eric Idle’s book, appealed to young audiences. There was high quality drama with LA STRADA by Sally Cookson; the feel-good musical ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN and Christmas shows DICK WHITTINGTON and PRIVATE DICK WHITTINGTON. The Theatre also produced nine shows with community participants including HERITAGE, RISE and TRUTH OR DARE. Our In Association shows included: BRING ON THE BOLLYWOOD with Phizzical; BEYOND THE EDGE with Midland Creative; and PHYSICAL FELLOWSHIP and FALL OUT with Highly Sprung, 4Play with Sondheim’s INTO THE WOODS and
ULLA'S ODYSSEY from Opera Up Close. We supported our Springboard Companies High Time opera with CINDERELLA and physical theatre company Noctium with A COUNTRY DOCTOR, our South Asian Producer to deliver the Belgrade MELA, Strictly Arts with GREEN LEAVES FALL and FREEMAN, and the SHOOT FESTIVAL. The broad range of visiting programmes included Russian State Ballet, BUDDY, DEAD SHEEP, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, RELATIVELY SPEAKING, PEPPA PIG, MACBETH, MIDDAY VARIETY, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, DIRTY DANCING, BLOOD BROTHERS, JASPER CARROT & ALISTAIR McGOWAN and the Peter James thriller NOT DEAD ENOUGH alongside Michael Morpurgo’s RUNNING WILD from The Children’s Touring Partnership and DIARY OF A HOUNSLOW GIRL from Black Theatre Live. The Belgrade is delighted to be sharing the growth and successes of Coventry’s bid to become the next City of Culture and we’re heartened by the level of support from audiences far and wide. Thank you. Hamish Glen Artistic Director & Chief Executive
The Belgrade Theatre's vision: Now established as one of England’s major producing houses, our mission is to grow the reach, excellence and engagement of all the work we produce and present. We will provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality for Coventry and the surrounding regions and act as an ambassador for Coventry and the West Midlands when touring.
“A hummable defence of the spirit nonsense … Invention and relentless energy” The Guardian on The Quite Remarkable Adventures of The Owl and the Pussycat
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Theatre continues to work hard to increase its earnings from existing and new sources. Like all publicly funded organisations we knew it was necessary to adapt to a new climate that would enable us to continue to offer quality productions and community programmes, serving the City and Region, on declining levels of funding. During 2016/17 we received some late funding cuts and bore some exceptional one-off costs, but despite these have succeed in increasing turnover by 3.8% to £5.9 million. This represents 72.8% of earned vs grant income, up from 66.2% in the previous year and quite a remarkable journey from the 40% figure just 10 years ago. We are also delighted to have delivered on all our Arts Council England, National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) obligations to date and have since won another NPO Award taking us to 2022. At the same time we have continued to increase our activity producing a record breaking 515
performances of 133 different productions (2015/16: 531 performances of 114 productions) and increased attendances to 176,180 (up from 171,000) and rising to 199,855 when including Events & Conferencing attendees (up from 183,000). The Theatre’s trading subsidiary Belgrade Theatre Enterprises continued to grow resulting in a 41% increase taking it to £1.35m (£945k in 2015/16) with a profit of £303k donated in full to the Theatre (a registered Charity). A highly successful first year from Catering being taken inhouse resulted in a turnover of £413k, offsetting the impact of a difficult year from Belgrade Production Services with one-off staffing matters. The results speak for themselves, particularly in the current tough economic climate. We continue to be grateful to a skilled, committed and motivated staff who make this all possible. Joanna Reid Executive Director
Mission: The Belgrade Theatre is the largest producing theatre in Coventry, England’s 11th most populous city and the second largest conurbation in the Midlands, and acts as the city and subregion’s commercial and producing theatre. The Belgrade creates theatre in the belief that it can enrich its community and fundamentally change peoples’ lives for the better.
“Lyrical, poetic and choreographically close to perfection” Leamington Courier on La Strada
Community & Education Winner of the Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Award for Cultural Education The Belgrade’s Community & Education (C&E) programme aims first and foremost to make theatre which bears witness to the experiences of under-represented communities within our city. We believe that these voices are best heard when given a platform through high quality productions and projects, which attract a diverse audience. We are committed to supporting participants to gain skills which enable them to develop careers in all industries, including but not limited to the performing arts sector. In 2016/17 we were winners of the Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism & Culture Award for Cultural Education (with Culture Coventry Trust) and were shortlisted for The Stage’s School of the Year 2016. We produced nine shows with community participants including HERITAGE by Dafydd James with our Acting Out students; RISE a devised all-female piece from the Young Company; HALF OF ME by Satinder Chohan, in partnership with Tamasha; THE LAST NEWSPAPER in partnership with the University of Warwick and DREAMERS, with the inaugural cohort of students from the National Mathematics and Science College. We hosted a vibrant festival for the National Theatre’s Connections 500 Festival, with 122 children and young people performing in 7 NT Connections productions, and participating in 10 workshops over the weekend. As part of the festival, Belgrade outreach groups performed in CHILDREN OF KILLERS by Katori Hall (Black Youth Theatre) and WHAT ARE THEY LIKE? by Lucinda Coxon (Canley Youth Theatre).
We are increasingly providing our groups with ‘sharing’ opportunities / small-scale productions in place of full-scale productions, due to prioritising reduced funds to continue delivering a broad range of engagement opportunities. Our Theatre in Education programme Big School, which deals with the transition from primary to secondary school, toured for the 18th year with ROOM TO GROW. The production and accompanying workshop reached 30 local schools and 1,869 pupils. In Spring 2016 we launched our Arts Gymnasium project in partnership with Coventry University, Age UK Coventry, and Coventry City Council and supported by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. This three year participation and research project uses theatre and arts activities to contribute to the quality of life and positive well-being of people living in Coventry. The ‘Living Well’ strand is tailored to meet the needs of people living with memory impairments and/or early stage dementia. During this very busy and successful year the participation programme expanded its commercial activity with a weekly programme for adults (alongside those for young people) and increased activity for young people during half terms and holidays. In total the programme involved 11,635 participants in 634 workshops, nine fully staged productions and 27 sharings, delivering 78 performances.
“ Brilliant performance. Fantastic message. Great energy, diversity and inclusivity� Audience member Rise
Community & Education “The drama workshop made me feel capable of anything!� Participant Arts Gym
Heritage
Arts Gymnasium
9 productions 634 workshops 48 performances
Half of Me
30 performances in schools 11,635 participation opportunities 15%
Dreamers
of participants from priority postcode areas
“It builds our confidence, and it helps us to gain more friends,outside of school and mix with people that we wouldn’t otherwise mix with” Participant Youth Acting Classes
“It is important to meet new people as you find out new things and it makes you look at things through other people’s perspective” Participant The Last Newspaper
“You are amazing. Our
girls are very shy. You brought out the best in them” Parent Saturday Drama Class
“I look forward to it; it makes me feel good. Makes you use the brain cells that weren’t working before” Participant Reaching Out
Truth or Dare
Our Year in Figures
176,180 tickets sold
515 133 performances
productions
40% concession tickets 44% tickets to people living in priority postcode areas 856 free tickets for under 26 year olds
(Disabled, Unemployed, Students, Children, Seniors, Passport to Leisure)
Where our customers came from North - 6,691 Coventry City -16,502 South - 4,550 Other - 5,903
33,646 total number of bookers
20%
49% 14% 18%
“One of the most brilliantly crafted shows you will see all year … worth six stars. I couldn’t recommend it more highly”
★★★★★
Love Midlands Theatre on Ostrich Boys
Other Highlights “Coventry has a rich theatre heritage - but nowhere comes close to the Belgrade, which is undoubtedly the finest theatre in the city” Trip Advisor , August 2016
WINNER Promotion of Diversity Award at the UK Theatre Awards 2016
WINNER MADE IN INDIA - Best Production at the Eastern Eye Arts, Culture & Theatre Award
WINNER WIPERS - Best Stage production at the Asian Media Awards
WINNER Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards Cultural Education Award.
NOMINATIONS What’s On Live Readers Awards 2016 included nominations for: WIPERS -Best Home produced show, RED SNAPPER Best Home produced show, BRING ON THE BOLLYWOOD - Best Home produced show & Belgrade Theatre - Best Theatre in the West Midlands. Asian Media Awards - Best Stage procution for BRING ON THE BOLLYWOOD. Alfred Fagon Audience Award for RED SNAPPER. UK Theatre Awards for Best Touring Production— A RAISIN IN THE SUN. Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards Creative Marketing Campaign.
BPS
Belgrade Production Services (BPS), our commercial set building arm, builds sets for Belgrade productions that are seen in other theatres ( WIPERS played Curve Leicester and Watford Palace Theatre) as well as building sets for numerous other companies around the country.
BPS retains a pool of skilled workers in the city and in 2016/17 provided almost 27,600 hours of work for freelance/casual carpenters, welders, props makers, scenic artists and wardrobe technicians, in addition to the Belgrade’s core staffing.
Photo: Inspiring Curiosity Workshops
“An important play for a city … and for a nation” Whatsonstage.com on Wipers
For more information, please visit www.belgrade.co.uk/charity
Community Cohesion “This Theatre presents some wonderful productions. It’s fairly easily accessible, just on the edge of Coventry city centre , and is very disabled friendly” Trip Advisor, January 2017
FREE
TiE
1,869
12,767
19%
3,691
participative arts activity ensures access to those who could not otherwise afford to attend. Helpng them to develop confidence and skills and create high quality work.
year 6 pupils saw our TiE show Big School aiding the transition from primary to secondary school.
of our productions had Access related performances.
in 1965 The Belgrade Theatre invented Theatre in Education (TiE) which went on to become a worldwide movement.
school pupils attended performances.
disabled tickets purchased plus 3,460 carer tickets.
Springboard Companies The Belgrade Theatre acts as a Hub for local creatives. As part of this process we have established the Springboard initiative which supports early stage artists and companies to develop to the next chapter of their careers; offering performance and office space, mentoring, communications and fundraising support. Our five Springboard companies are: Noctium Theatre, Nasreen Akhtar Khan, High Time Opera, Strictly Arts Theatre Company and Shoot Festival.
Photo: Inspiring Curiosity Workshops
“An intellectually and emotionally stirring encounter”
★★★★
For more information, please visit www.belgrade.co.uk/charity
The Observer on Made In India
Helping ourselves
The amount of income the theatre now earns. Up from 46% in 2008/09.
EARNED INCOME
The amount each £1 of CCC funding generated which rises to £7.86 with ACE funding. The amount additional & existing sources of commercial income earned £5.56m since 2007.
Earned Income breakdown: Box Office 42.6% Enterprises* 22.5% Fundraising & Sponsorship 3.5% Other** 4.2% *Belgrade Enterprises Ltd incorporates income earned by Belgrade Production Services, Catering, Conferencing & Events, Commerical Workshops and ices/merchandising. **Other includes co-production income, hires and programmes.
Board Members:
Belgrade Theatre Trust (Coventry) Limited (A company limited by guarantee)
Mr S Fergusson, Chairman Ms Shelia Bates (appointed Sept 2017) Cllr R Bailey (resigned May 2016) Mr A Bhabra Cllr L Bigham (resigned May 2016) Mr G W Brooke-Taylor Mr Paul Carvell (appointed July 2017) Mr J F Davidson Mr P A W Deeley (resigned July 2016)
Mr P Fenner ACA/FCCA (resigned July 2017) Mr W H Glen LLB Ms P Johnstone Cllr J Lepodievin (May 2016 to June 2017) Cllr Tim Mayer (appointed June 2017) Mr J McGuigan Mr A F Pollock Ms K J Reid BA Hons Cllr A C Skipper (appointed May 2016)
Company Secretary and Executive Director : Ms K J Reid BA Hons Chief Executive and Artistic Director: Mr W H Glen LLB Funding Body Representatives entitled to attend Board meetings: Arts Council England West Midlands - Ms Nikki Ralston & Simon Fitch (Relationship Manager), Coventry City Council - Mr D Cockcroft (Assistant Director, City Centre & Development Services) Charity registered number 219163
Company registered number 593331
Registered office: Belgrade Theatre Belgrade Square Coventry West Midlands CV1 1GS
Photographs: Robert Day, Pamela Raith, Andrew Moore & Nicola Young
72.8% £6.45 £1.33m
Private Dick Whittington
The Theatre works hard to develop and diversify its income streams, creating commercial set building via Belgrade Production Services (BPS), commercial workshop programmes for children, young people and adults, and also developing Events & Conferencing. It also brought catering in-house in March 2016.
Thank you to our supporters The Belgrade Theatre Trust is a registered charity (number 219163). This means that all the money given, raised or earned is not distributed as profit but kept and reinvested in the work that we do. We are reliant on a number of generous individuals and organisations, who support our work, to make it possible for us to continue to develop our artistic and educational work and remain central to the communities we serve. As a result of this particular support last year, we raised £226,468 in donations, grants and corporate support, which enabled us to provide lots of exciting things, including:
12 places for young people on our Belgrade LifeStage programme of Work Related Learning giving students employability skills and confidence, and culminating in an end-of-year production (Truth or Dare) staged in B2
571 tickets to our pantomime Dick Whittington – thanks to our Making Memories campaign - for families facing challenging circumstances
1,435 engagement opportunities for over 50s as part of our Arts Gymnasium project and Touring our Big School production to 24 local schools and engaging with 1,224 pupils. In addition to our individual Members (My Belgrade+ and Producers’ Circle) and corporate Directors’ Club members, the Belgrade Theatre gratefully acknowledges financial support from the following Trusts & Foundations in 2016/17: Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust, Coventry Umbrella Club, The Backstage Trust and Big Lottery Fund (Awards for All).
“There are great
institutions which we should all support. The Belgrade is no exception”
Dick Whittington
Trip Advisor March 2017
For more information, please visit
www.belgrade.co.uk/charity
The Belgrade Theatre gratefully acknowledges financial support from all our supporters
Coventry’s vibrant producing & presenting theatre.
THE IMPACT OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT 2016-17 The Belgrade Theatre is a charity. Public funding received from Arts Council England, Coventry City Council, fundraising from various Trusts and Foundations, and Charitable and Business Sponsorship, enables us to leverage considerably more from earned income generated through ticket and other sales.
We worked with over
£519k
107
was paid in Tax and NI
+ £248k
= £767k
was paid in net VAT payments
artists from the UK’s talent pool in the creative industries
133
productions
directly paid to Government
176,180
people experienced a live performance at the Belgrade Theatre
£2.7m
£669k
Spent on gross payroll, creating full or part time employment for over 293 people
equivalent value of press coverage
leveraging £942 k Arts Council grant
We attracted over
£5.9m turnover
Our average ticket price of £16.05 meant our tickets were affordable & accessible
£226,468 in philanthropic support
11,635
4
apprenticeship posts making 28 since 2009 &
3,866
work placement hours
We earn
73%
of our income Up from 46% in 08/09
Economic Impact
£6.45 GENERATED FOR EVERY £1 OF COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL FUNDING
£7.9m
worth of local economic impact
children, young people & aged 50+ participated in workshops, and
33,682 tickets for children and young people sold
Cultural & Social Impact
BROADENING CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT & SOCIAL COHESION
Printed on FSC paper
£7.9m
Coventry City Council grant