Belgrade Theatre Review of the Year 2014/2015
“A Belgrade that belongs to everyone; creates inspiring theatre and transforms lives”
From rarely performed classics like The Spanish Golden Age productions, to brand new musicals such as Propaganda Swing, revivals of local stories in Three Minute Heroes or more diverse shows like Blood – the consistent theme has always been quality and a unique offering. The same goes for the family offering with another record breaking pantomime and a wonderfully engaging Only A Day. I struggle to pick a favourite; each one is so rewarding to watch in its own right. Our Visiting Company work complements our own plays, meaning that our Seasons are diverse and fresh, designed to broaden and appeal to the many different audiences in the City and region. It’s not just our bold programme of work that defines us, but also the valuable projects the Community & Education Company do. Being able to offer productions like Bassett, numerous participation opportunities and the TiE production Becoming Me has been an achievement in light of funding cuts, but is
what helps make a Belgrade that belongs to everyone, creates inspiring theatre and transforms lives. Being able to continue to offer such a vibrant programme in these challenging times is no mean feat. It has only been possible through the hard work of our talented staff and the success of our income generating activities making us less reliant on public funding. Belgrade Production Services is an important part of this story and has benefitted from further investment this year, and will continue to be an important income source for the Theatre. The Belgrade’s challenges lie hand in hand with those faced by the City, but we continue successfully to contribute towards their goals for Community and Economic development and look forward to playing a pivotal role in bidding for City of Culture in 2021. The Belgrade is a much loved creative hub for the area and our TiE 50th anniversary celebrations throughout 2015 will be another reason to be proud. With the continued support of the Theatre’s many stakeholders I’m confident we will continue to overcome the challenges ahead.
Stewart Fergusson Chairman
Photographs: Robert Day, George Archer, Keith Pattison, Paul Blakemore, Jane Hobson & Nicola Young
Looking back over the past year fills me with immense pride as well as great memories of the fantastic productions we’ve created to share with the world. It’s never an easy task putting together a programme of shows which appeal to the tastes of so many people, but that’s what the Belgrade does so well.
Board Members:
Belgrade Theatre Trust (Coventry) Limited (A company limited by guarantee)
Mr S Fergusson, Chairman Cllr R Bailey Mr A Bhabra Cllr L Bigham Mr G Brooke-Taylor Mr J Davidson Mr P A W Deeley
Mr P Fenner ACA/FCCA Mr W H Glen LLB Mrs P Johnstone Mr J McGuigan Mr A Pollock Ms K J Reid BA Hons Mrs D Williams
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 (Relationship Manager, Theatre), 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
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.
I am proud of our artistic achievements in 2014/15, delivered despite a third year when the general funding cuts significantly hit the Theatre. In terms of home produced plays, it has been our busiest year yet. Our first productions of the financial year were co-produced with Bath Theatre Royal and Arcola Theatre London: the Spanish Golden Age plays A LADY OF LITTLE SENSE, DON GIL OF THE GREEN BREECHES and PUNISHMENT WITHOUT REVENGE. The Autumn then opened with our co-production with Nottingham Playhouse of the World premiere of PROPAGANDA SWING by Peter Arnott, a true story of the survival of Jazz in Nazi Germany, which I directed, and the revival of THREE MINUTE HEROES by Bob Eaton.
Company, 100 YEARS WAR with Midland Creative Projects, THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO with OperaUpClose, THE PHYSICAL FELLOWSHIP with Highly Sprung and SANTA’S DIZZY DAY with Imagine Theatre. The Theatre also produced The Belgrade MELA.
Photo: Propaganda Swing
Catalyst Funding, a grant awarded by Arts Council England to boost fund raising ability, helped establish Asian Youth Theatre; the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Theatre in Education (TiE) – Inspiring Curiosity; stage the NEW BLACK SHOWCASE, rehearsed readings of work by young BAME writers from our CRITICAL MASS programme; tour UNPLUGGED; and take a recording of Panto to Hospitals, Hospices and Nursing Homes, as well as offer tickets Our always popular pantomime was for families facing financial hardship at ALADDIN in addition to our “alternative Christmas through ‘Give the Gift of Christmas show” OH NO IT ISN’T. We Theatre’. expanded our focus on work for children and young people by producing the UK We believe that we have succeeded in premiere of ONLY A DAY, that our aim to be one of the most dynamic complemented two NT Connections producing houses in the country, with a shows: Senior Youth Theatre’s PRObold artistic policy that the region both NOUN and Acting Out’s BASSETT; and embraces and deserves, and which puts Year 10 Acting Out’s ME, MYSELF AND us in a pivotal position for Coventry’s bid MY iPHONE. During Summer 2014 the for the next City of Culture. These are Theatre again toured extracts of the exciting, but challenging times for us, but forthcoming season’s work to unusual with a strong, creative and loyal team of venues in Coventry and Warwickshire staff continually championing the work with UNPLUGGED. At the other end of we do we are confident that we are the year our produced programme was equipped not just to survive, but to completed by a co-production of a new thrive. South Asian play BLOOD by Emteaz Hussain with national touring company Tamasha. We have been delighted to develop our ‘in association with’ partnerships supporting smaller companies and non-traditional theatre presentations. These included CHORALE with Presence Theatre and Actors Touring
Hamish Glen Artistic Director & Chief Executive
The final 10% cut from CCC hit this year, taking the total cut to 25% and Arts Council NPO funding, following in-period cuts,
The Theatre’s Business Model continues to prove its resilience as well as its flexibility. Our ability to respond creatively and energetically to continuing threats to funding will remain critical. We are fortunate to be able to rely on dedicated staff, and thank them for their hard and loyal work that enables the Theatre to face the future with ambition and confidence.
Joanna Reid Executive Director
Photo: Aladdin
Photo: Sons Without Fathers
The Theatre produced 18 own productions during the year, the highest ever, and combined with our lively Visiting Company programme presented 421 performances of 113 different productions. The number of different productions in the seasons is a record but performance numbers were slightly down on the previous year’s 434, but are still higher than all previous years. We had the biggest audiences ever for our Panto (over 42,000) but total audiences for the year at 151,000 were 8% down on last year, reflecting continuing audience risk aversion. Audience numbers are still greater than all previous years.
The Theatre’s wholly owned trading subsidiary Enterprises’ turnover this year nearly made it to £1million (£904k), making a surplus during the year of £274k (compared to £211k last year) that is donated in full to the Theatre (a registered Charity). The improvement in results was largely due to Belgrade Production Services that continues to increase turnover and Events and Conferencing. Community & Education self‑ generated income was £110k and includes income from commercial workshops run on Saturdays and Summer and Easter Camps.
Photo: Only A Day
Belgrade productions PROPAGANDA SWING and THREE MINUTE HEROES performed very well at Box Office, and our Panto once again exceeded previous Box Office records. Some of the Visiting Company work, particularly early in 2015, also did very good business.
was reduced. However sharing costs through co-productions and our continuing drive to increase earned income from all sources has enabled us again to improve Earned Income to Turnover ratio which is now 62% (up from 50% in 2009/10).
Photo: Blood
2014/15 was the final year of the Theatre’s first three year contract as an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). The Theatre exceeded agreed KPIs despite another difficult year of declining core funding and continuing low public confidence which affects ticket sales.
Photo: Oh No It Isn’t
“The Theatre’s Business Model continues to prove its resilience”
Photo: Propaganda Swing
Marriage
Photo: A Lady of Little Sense
“We do appreciate the range of shows you put on at the Belgrade - it's marvellous for us to have access to theatre of such quality” Email from Theatre-goer, Sept 2015
“This production is a triumph of style and substance”
Photo: Three Minute Heroes
Whatsonstage.com on Propaganda Swing
Photo: Don Gil of the GreenBreeches
“This is children’s theatre at its best’” Coventry Telegraph on Only A Day
“A brilliant piece of new writing” The Arts Desk on Blood
Main Photo: Punishment without Revenge
“Don’t waste your time travelling to London, come to Coventry; a more intimate theatre experience, and no need to stay over” Audience Member, Trip Advisor, February 2015
Photo: Big School
Photo: Pronoun
The Belgrade’s Community & Education Company (C&E) aims first and foremost to make theatre which bears witness to the experiences of marginalised 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. The C&E programme is committed to supporting
participants to gain skills which enable them to develop careers in the performing arts and other industries. 2014/15 saw the Community & Education Company deliver a record 12,875 participation opportunities through 804 workshops. Nine community performances and 22 sharings were seen by 2,425 audience members including
Photo: Summer School
Photo: Bassett
Community & Education Company
“It’s difficult when people talk about it. When I get to see it in action it’s a bit more clear” Pupil attending Big School two National Theatre Connections plays; the popular PRONOUN by Evan Placey performed by the Senior Youth Theatre at the Warwick Arts Centre 2014 NT Connections Festival; and BASSETT by James Graham, movingly performed by the Acting Out Company. The Year 10 Acting Out group also created their first performance ME, MYSELF AND MY iPHONE, around issues of body image and self-perception.
Work for black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities continues from strength to strength with Black and Asian Youth Theatres as well as the fourth NEW BLACK SHOWCASE, presenting rehearsed readings of two full scripts; RED MULLET a fictional account of the Jamaican Independence struggle by Liz Mytton and VISITING HOURS about four women visiting their menfolk in prison by Theresa Ikoko. In the Summer Term of 2014 we again toured our TiE production BECOMING ME, aiding the transition from Primary to Secondary school. The production toured to 39 schools in both Coventry and Sandwell. Throughout the year, the Theatre continued to run our programme of paid for workshops, introducing a weekly programme for adults, and an increased programme of youth activity for half terms and holidays.
2014/15 stats
804 workshops 12,875 participation opportunities 39 performances in schools 395 targeted workshops 8 BTEC certificates 33%
Achieved, 201 since 2007 of participants from priority Postcode areas
Photo: From the End Spring New Beginnings
“The programme has helped me to relearn skills that I thought I’d forgotten and enabled me to feel less self conscious” Shine On Participant
“Mask work was a totally new experience for me, and I really enjoyed it. I learnt that the movement of my body can be as important as speech or what I do with my face” Senior Youth Theatre participant
Photo: New Black Showcase
A large part of the programme for 2014-15 was given over to developing work for the Inspiring Curiosity year in 2015, marking 50 years since the birth of the TiE (Theatre in Education) movement at the Belgrade. The innovative artist residency generated six exciting productions for the July 2015 Festival INSPIRING CURIOSITY – IN OUR OWN WORDS. Partner companies and artists included Vamos Theatre, Gateway Studio Project, curious directive, Frantic Assembly, Chris White (RSC) and Chris O’Connell (Theatre Absolute) working with our Asian Youth Theatre, Black Youth Theatre, Canley Youth Theatre, Middle Youth Theatre, two Senior Youth Theatre groups and our 50+ group Shine On.
“It helps me feel confident and helps me at school. I’ve made lots of new friends” Asian Youth Theatre Participant
THE BELGRADE THEATRE:
Is a National leader in education work ... 50 years. The Belgrade Theatre invented TiE (Theatre in Education) in 1965. 38% of Coventry’s primary schools saw the TiE play, Big School, partnering with the Education Authority. 2,222 pupils aged 10 and 11, benefitted from seeing Big School. 201 BTEC certificates awarded since 2007 to students at risk of exclusion from school. 138 schools workshops were delivered. "I have learnt something from very residency workshop, as well as from the support of 11,313 schools tickets sold. different Belgrade course directors”
Photo: The Tempest
Workshop participant
Aids employability …
Providing free participative arts activity ensuring access to those who could not otherwise afford to attend and help them to develop confidence, skills and create high quality work.
The Theatre employs up to 135 people at the height of its season and during 2014/15 supported the equivalent of 77 full time posts.
Belgrade Production Services retains a pool of skilled workers in the city and in 2014/15 provided almost 21,201hours of work for freelance/ casual carpenters, welders, props makers, scenic artists and wardrobe technicians, in addition to the Belgrade’s core staffing.
3,344 hours of work placements were provided.
Promotes community cohesion … The Belgrade is a vibrant place offering a wide range of shows that appeal to a variety of audiences. It does extensive work with the City’s communities within priority post code areas attracting people who have never been to the Theatre before. We enable access to the arts via: Concessionary ticket schemes for paid activity Wheelchair access to all public areas of the Building free tickets Free access for community activity Access performances for those with hearing or sight impairment were given to under 26s
694
42%
** Concessions comprise: Unemployed, Students, Children, Disabled, Senior Citizens & Passport to Leisure. Other discounts include 20% and other offers.
of tickets
were sold to people eligible for a concession**
Is key to the City’s regeneration … Evidence from around the UK demonstrates conclusively that cities can regenerate and reinvent themselves through the success of their cultural institutions because those institutions not only help to project the City’s profile nationally, they also serve the City’s needs locally. The Belgrade’s 1958 listed building was refurbished and extended in 2007 with a £14m capital project. The Theatre is now pivotal to the City’s economic regeneration, attracting increasing numbers of people from outside areas and is at the heart of the City’s night time economy. In 2014/15 the Theatre’s activities generated
£6.6m in the local economy.
The Belgrade offers a wide range of shows that appeal to a variety of audiences. It is well known and loved in the City and has a significant impact on the well-being of local people, contributing towards making
Coventry a good place to work and live.
Attracting visitors to the City ... Number of bookers by area*** 6,561 from North Warwickshire region (5,972 in 2013/14) North
15,086 from City (15,357 in 2013/14) 3,814 from South Warwickshire region (4,429 in 2013/14) 3,909 from other areas (6,420 in 2013/14)
South
29,369 bookers in total (32, 178 in 2013/14 )
***Note: number of bookers figure is the number of individuals making the booking, not the number of tickets purchased.
52%
of bookers are
drawn into the City from outside the City of Coventry area.
THE BELGRADE THEATRE:
Helping ourselves and others ... The Theatre works hard to develop and diversify its income streams, creating Belgrade Production Services (BPS), commercial workshop programmes for children and young people and also developing Events & Conferencing.
The Theatre now earns
62%
of its income,
up from 46% in 2008/09.
£1
During 2014/15 each of CCC funding was matched by of earned income which rises to with Arts Council funding.
£3.86
£4.98
Additional and existing sources of commercial income earned turnover in 2014/15 and since 2007.
£904,000 £3.3m
Earned Income: Box Office 39% Enterprises* 18% Fundraising & Sponsorship 3% Other 2%
*Belgrade Enterprises Ltd incorporates income earned by Belgrade Production Services, Conferencing & Events, Commerical Workshops and ices/ programmes/merchandising.
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 over £176,352 in donations and sponsorship. This enabled us to provide:
44 places for young people in our Asian and Black Youth Theatres Belgrade Unplugged, which toured venues across Coventry & Warwickshire and was enjoyed by 600 people Our Give the Gift of Theatre appeal, providing 362 tickets to see Aladdin for families facing financial hardship The production of Only a Day Improvements to our access facilities
In addition to our Friends’ and Directors’ Club members, The Belgrade Theatre gratefully acknowledges financial support from the following Trusts & Foundations in 2014/15:
Photo: I Burn, I Pine, I Perrish
The Norton Foundation, The Grantham Yorke Trust, The Rowlands Trust, The Patrick Trust, The Elizabeth Swillington Trust, Coventry City Council (Small Arts Grants), The John Thaw Foundation, The MB Trust, and 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust.
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 2014-15 The Belgrade Theatre is a charity. Public funding received from Coventry City Council, Arts Council England; fund-raising 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.
£418k + £204k
We worked with over
137
Was paid in Tax and NI
= £622k
Was paid in net VAT payments
artists from the UK’s talent pool in the creative industries
113
productions 51% up on 13/14
directly paid to Government
151,000 people experienced a live performance at the Belgrade Theatre
£2.1m
£845k Coventry City Council grant leveraging £942k Arts Council grant
& £125k Project grants
£8.2m equivalent value of press coverage
We attracted over
£176,352
£5m
turnover
in philanthropic support
12,875
42%
4
up on 13/14
apprenticeship posts making 20 since 2009 &
3344
work placement hours
We earn
62%
of our income Up from 46% in 08/09
Economic Impact
£4.98 GENERATED FOR EVERY £1 OF COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL FUNDING
Our average ticket price of £13.28 meant our tickets were affordable & accessible
£6.6m worth of local economic impact
Children, young people & aged 50+ participated in workshops, and
65,813
people attended performances for families and young people
Cultural & Social Impact
BROADENING CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT & SOCIAL COHESION
Printed on FSC paper
Spent on gross payroll, creating full or part time employment for over 135 people