2017/18
Jo Mousley and Sean McKenzie in Two, photography by Robert Day.
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Introduction Welcome to Derby Theatre’s annual review for our financial year August 2017 – July 2018. What a year it has been – undoubtedly our busiest yet. In April 2018, we moved into our second round of Arts Council England support, having been awarded a 59% increase in our National Portfolio Organisation funding. The fact that Arts Council England chose to increase our funding so significantly in difficult financial times, is testament to the successful model of theatre making that Derby Theatre has put into practice over the last five years, placing community and learning at the heart of everything that we do. It is also an affirmation of our successful relationship with the University of Derby. I have led the organisation since 2013 and I’m enormously proud of the work that our team has achieved in putting Derby Theatre back on the map as a leading producing theatre. Last autumn, I really enjoyed directing the spine-chilling Great Expectations, in Neil Bartlett’s brilliant adaptation of Dickens’ classic. With an excellent ensemble cast and original music, the production featured a breathtaking set which incorporated not only fire, but also pools of water. In another first for Derby Theatre we even gave out ponchos to audience members in the front rows! Christmas brought festive treats in the form of Peter Pan and The Gingerbread Man. Our spring production of Jim Cartwright’s Two brought the audience right up close as we turned the stage into a working pub and drinks were served from the bar. With stellar performances from Jo Mousley and Sean McKenzie, we introduced a fantastic young company and we also welcomed Director Julia Thomas to the building for the first time.
As always, our Departure Lounge Festival, steered by our flagship In Good Company programme, was the event of the emerging theatre makers’ calendar. With over 18 shows, including two Derby Theatre commissions (I Dare You and User Not Found), workshops, conference, debate and speeches from Kwame Kwei-Armah and Jenny Sealey, this summer festival goes from strength to strength. As a direct result of our increase in funding, we were able to produce our first show for Under 5s – Holiday. Led by the talented Sarah Argent, our Studio Theatre played host to a magical tour of the imagination, followed by the children and their families enjoying the sunshine in our outdoor play area. Over 70 young people from Derby Theatre’s Youth Theatre were in brilliant voice with performances across both our studio and main stages this year. As well as producing The Dream Collector and Life Raft, both by Fin Kennedy, and Blank by Alice Birch, we also hosted the NT Connections Festival with schools and young people taking part from across the East Midlands. Thanks to Arts Council England, we’ve also received a Catalyst grant which means that for every £1 we raise for our charity, it is matched by another £1. Great news for drama on and off our stages in the coming year. I hope you enjoy this annual review and the opportunity to celebrate a fantastic year at Derby Theatre with us.
Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Derby Theatre
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29th Sep 2017 21st Oct 2017
Great Expectations Our Autumn season kicked off with a stunning production of Great Expectations, adapted by Neil Bartlett and directed by Sarah Brigham. Dickens’ magnificent language, a hugely talented ensemble cast and a stirring original score by Ivan Stott, combined to produce a deeply atmospheric production. Bold staging, featuring not only fire but also a huge water tank on stage to recreate the River Thames, made for a truly visual feast.
SEEN BY
7,459 PEOPLE
665 SCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDED THE SHOW 4
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“ Works beautifully as an ensemble piece.” The Stage
A visual feast that raised the hairs “on the back of my neck.” Artsbeat
Ensemble image from Great Expectations, photography by Robert Day.
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2nd Dec 2017 6th Jan 2018
Peter Pan “ A slick, well-acted production that is packed with gusto and passion. Clearly Christmas is in safe hands at Derby Theatre.” British Theatre Guide
“ Practically perfect in every way.” What’s Good To Do
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Christmas was filled with adventure and a determination to never, ever grow up with our main house production of Peter Pan. The show was led by the creative team behind Alice In Wonderland, with a talented cast of actor musicians. Audiences members were mesmerised by the set, with a particular audience highlight being a very naughty crocodile… Told from the perspective of the Lost Boys, Mike Kenny’s new adaptation created a fresh, funny and heartwarming production of this muchloved story. 18 young people joined the cast as “losties”, mermaids and a gang of fairies alongside a feisty Tinkerbell.
SEEN BY
22,135 PEOPLE
7,146 SCHOOL CHILDREN ATTENDED OUR SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES
471 PEOPLE JOINED US FOR A RELAXED PERFORMANCE
Sally Ann Staunton and Jack Brett in Peter Pan, photography by Robert Day.
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5th Dec 2017 31st Dec 2017
“ A gentle, warm yet beautifully humorous festive show with heart.” Derby Telegraph
“ A fast-paced joyous fairy-tale for all ages.” The Stage
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The Gingerbread Man SEEN BY
4,095 PEOPLE
2,025 CHILDREN FROM LOCAL NURSERY GROUPS AND SCHOOLS VISITED
Derby Theatre’s latest collaboration with Hiccup Theatre brought to life an original family show especially for 3 – 7 year olds, our most well attended Studio Christmas show to date. The combination of a traditional story portrayed through quirky characters, charming original songs, puppetry and a little splash of Christmas magic, delighted audiences and gave children the perfect introduction to theatre.
John Holt Roberts, Ivan Stott and Paula James in The Gingerbread Man, photography by Robert Day.
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2nd Mar 2018 24th Mar 2018
“A mesmerising two-hander.” Derby Telegraph
Two Our Spring production of Jim Cartwright’s much-loved play, packed with humour and pathos, gave us an opportunity to realise Sarah Brigham’s unique vision for the show experience. The set featured a fully working bar, from which audience members could order their pre-show and interval drinks. We also offered exclusive ‘experience’ seats actually on the set, making the audience part of the action and giving them a chance to witness up close a rich tapestry of colourful characters and a rollercoaster of emotions. The production was directed by Julia Thomas, and also featured three young performers from the local community as part of Derby Theatre’s Learning and Development programme.
“A rich revival of Jim Cartwright’s toast to love, in all its forms.” The Stage
SEEN BY
5,369 PEOPLE
844 SCHOOL STUDENTS ATTENDED
THE SHOW AND PARTICIPATED IN A RANGE OF WORKSHOPS INCLUDING AN ACTING MASTERCLASS WITH THE DIRECTOR THE PRODUCTION WAS SPONSORED BY THE DANCING DUCK BREWERY
Jo Mousley and Sean McKenzie in Two, photography by Robert Day.
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Departure Lounge For the sixth year, Derby Theatre was transformed into a festival site, home to In Good Company’s flagship Departure Lounge. The four-day festival offered Edinburgh Fringe previews, workshops, panel discussions and much more. Jenny Sealey, Artistic Director of Graeae, Natalie Ibu, Artistic Director of Tiata Fahodzi, and Kwame Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director of the Young Vic, made up a panel discussion chaired by arts journalist Matt Trueman, to debate the future of arts leadership.
813 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FESTIVAL
38 PERFORMANCES, WORKSHOPS AND TALKS DELIVERED
Natalie Ibu, Departure Lounge 2018, photography by Chris Webb.
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19th July 2018 22nd July 2018
The summer season was brought to a close with a brand new production for Under 5s. Director Sarah Argent, who specialises in creating work for early years, worked closely with the Creative Learning team and nursery groups in Derby to gather children’s vivid stories about holidays. The result was a charming piece of theatre that drew upon those stories and experiences. Celebrating the power of the imagination, our two central characters decided to play at being on holiday on a rainy day in their attic. Trap doors in the floor revealed a sandy beach, rockpools and a field for camping under the stars, taking our audience into a world of magical destinations.
25th July 2018 5th Aug 2018
Holiday
The experience was enhanced by a free outdoor stay and play area to encourage families to spend more time with us.
“ Little mouths were open; as they were absolutely mesmerised by the entire performance.” Boom Magazine
SEEN BY
1,144 PEOPLE
WE HOSTED OUR FIRST EVER DEMENTIA FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS A RELAXED PERFORMANCE AND BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE Ceri Elen and Ibrahim Ben Hadi in Holiday, photography by Robert Day.
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Touring Programme Our Main House and Studio spaces played host to over 75 exciting, moving and entertaining productions and events. Audiences enjoyed adaptions of literary classics such as Birdsong, Brighton Rock, and Mountains: The Dreams of Lily Kwok, as well as international work, including Market Theatre Johannesburg’s The Suitcase. The Play That Goes Wrong played to packed houses and family audiences joined us for productions including Theatre Alibi’s The Boy Who Climbed Into The Moon and Northern Ballet’s The Ugly Duckling. Our Studio continued to be a hub of innovative work with highlights including Curious Monkey’s Leaving, by Paddy Campbell, giving voice to young people in care; and Oily Cart’s astonishing new work Kubla Kahn, which was created for those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, or on the autism spectrum, bringing Coleridge’s poem to life in a multi-sensory and highly interactive production.
Visiting companies and producers included:
Main Theatre
Gecko Graeae Kenny Wax Live Nation London Classic Theatre Company Market Theatre Johannesburg Metta Theatre National Dance Company Wales Northern Ballet Off The Kerb Out of Joint and Octagon Bolton Pilot Theatre Selladoor Theatre Alibi Yellow Earth Theatre
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Studio
Action Transport Theatre Curious Monkey Filament Theatre Fingersmiths HighRise Theatre with Black Theatre Live & Stratford Circus Arts Centre Little Angel Theatre Mashi Theatre New Perspectives Oily Cart PAD productions Rachael Clerke & The Great White Males Red Earth Theatre The Thelmas & Ovalhouse
Amateur Theatre Companies Centre Stage Theatre Arts Creatio Arts Derby East Scouts and Guides Flying High Derbyshire LGBT+ Derby Youth Musical Theatre Good Companions Stage Society Present Company
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Graeae Theatre’s Reasons To Be Cheerful, photography by Alison Baskerville.
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Creative Learning As a Learning Theatre, we engage with a diverse range of people to deliver workshops, youth theatre, work experience placements and unique opportunities to get behind the scenes to see how our shows are made. This year was also the fifth year that Derby Theatre was a host venue for the National Theatre’s Connections Festival and saw the highest audience figures to date. 178 young people performed as part of the festival. Specialist professional workshops included a session with the award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company Gecko. We continue to work with our arts organisation partners across the city and region to deliver a strong and varied cultural offering to our schools and young people.
22,222 YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED WITH US THROUGH
WORKSHOPS, LEARNING PROGRAMMES AND THEATRE VISITS
5 YOUTH THEATRE SHOWS PRODUCED INVOLVING 77 YOUNG PEOPLE PERFORMING ON OUR MAIN STAGE AND STUDIO
4 YOUNG TECHNICIANS WORKED ON OUR YOUTH THEATRE SUMMER SHOWS WITH THE PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL TEAM
31 WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS COMPLETED 101 YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED WITH RESEARCH FOR OUR PRODUCTIONS OF ABI AND HOLIDAY
32 AMATEUR COMPANIES TOOK PART IN THE EAGLE AWARDS, CELEBRATING COMMUNITY THEATRE IN THE REGION
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“ It’s life changing. You learn a lot of different skills and things you already knew how to do well, and you will now be able to do very well.” Work Experience student
“ I got to perform on a professional stage with professional people, lighting and sound. It was thrilling and educational!” Discover Day Student
Derby Theatre Youth Theatre perform The Dream Collector by Fin Kennedy, photography by Nicola Belllenger.
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Theatre Unwrapped
Plus One
Theatre Unwrapped sessions allow audiences to join us at the heart of the theatre making process. During the year we opened up our behind the scenes spaces as our creative and technical teams prepared for opening night of our produced work. All Theatre Unwrapped sessions are completely free to attend and offer unique insights into lighting design, costume making, sound composition, stage management, directing, acting and more.
Plus One offers an award-winning new approach to cultural education, bringing the transformative power of the arts into the lives of children and families within the care system. The scheme works with arts organisations and care services across Derbyshire, to not only facilitate theatre visits but also to enable young people to participate in a host of exiting creative opportunities.
14 THEATRE UNWRAPPED SESSIONS DELIVERED
119 AUDIENCE MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THEATRE UNWRAPPED ACTIVITIES
Over the last year, Plus One young participants have worked with a number of nationally recognised theatre companies, including Gecko, around their production of The Wedding, and Curious Monkey, to create a curtain raiser to their show Leaving by Paddy Campbell. Other projects have included working with spoken word artists such as Emteaz Hussian and Jess Green.
£12,750 RAISED THROUGH PUBLIC DONATIONS
“ Come along to an event like this, it will allow you to truly understand the work that goes into a production.” Theatre Unwrapped participant
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41 LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN AND CARE
LEAVERS AGED 13-22 TOOK PART IN CROSS ARTS PROJECTS WORKING WITH A RANGE OF ARTISTS
425 PLUS ONE FUNDED THEATRE VISITS 3
A FURTHER YEARS OF FUNDING AWARDED BY ESMÉE FAIRBURN FOUNDATION, AS PART OF THEIR LEAVING CARE PROGRAMME CARE LEAVER APPRENTICE FOR PLUS ONE APPOINTED AND SUPPORTED BY DERBY THEATRE AND OTHER ARTS ORGANISATIONS
“ It nurtures our talents... it doesn’t care about our past, only our futures.” Emma, Plus One participant
Image from Plus One documentary film by Sam Jordan.
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Emerging Artists Derby Theatre and In Good Company have continued to be passionate facilitators for the development of new work by artists across the East Midlands. They aim to nurture a culture of support, to help develop the theatre makers of the future. Companies involved with In Good Company benefit from a rolling artistsupport fund, seed commissioning for regional artists, rehearsal space, masterclasses and workshops, platforms to showcase new work, direct access to advice and expertise from independent creative producers, and much more.
995 ARTISTS NETWORKED INTO IN GOOD COMPANY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
IN GOOD COMPANY’S MID-CAREER ARTIST COMMISSION AWARDED TO USER NOT FOUND BY DANTE OR DIE, WHICH WENT ON TO BE LISTED AS ONE OF THE TOP SHOWS AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL BY THE STAGE
2016 – 2018
IN GOOD COMPANY ASSOCIATE ARTISTS : FLICKBOOK, NOT NOW COLLECTIVE, DAVID RALFE AND LOUISE WHITE
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“ It wouldn’t be an understatement to say it’s (In Good Company) been life changing.” Louise White (IGC Associate)
“ What marks out In Good Company is that Derby began by asking artists what it was they wanted and needed rather than simply telling them what they had planned for them, and the scheme continues to consult.” Lyn Gardner, Critic
User Not Found by Dante or Die, photography by Justine Jones.
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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 degrees on Technical Theatre, Contemporary Theatre and Performance, and Costume and Set Design benefit from shadowing and learning alongside professionals on a daily basis, whilst students studying for other degrees are also given the opportunity to undertake practical projects and work experience in marketing, technical, set and costume design. This year saw an exhibition of students’ costumes and designs displayed alongside professional designs for the Derby Theatre production of Peter Pan. Last year Derby Theatre hosted The Street of Crocodiles on the main stage and The Laramie Project and Fugee in the Studio, supporting second and third year students with their accredited performances in front of a public audience.
25 STUDENT WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS HOSTED
18 ADDITIONAL LECTURES
AND WORKSHOPS DELIVERED BY DERBY THEATRE STAFF FOR STUDENTS
Ensemble image from The Street of Crocodiles, photography by Chris Webb.
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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.
Highlights
Our busy sponsorship and development programme runs alongside this, with all money raised invested back into supporting our artistic programme and the work that we do with young people and local communities.
Foundation to support Derby Theatre’s work
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.
£16,362 received from public donations
£12,750
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
£40,000 received from Esmée Fairbairn £150,000 awarded by The Clothworkers’
Foundation for outreach project, Your Place Our Place
£143,000 received from Creative Local
Growth Fund and ERDF to build competitiveness of creative SMEs as part of The Big House
£160,000 awarded from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation’s Leaving Care programme to support Plus One
Derbyshire Community Foundation For Derbyshire for good
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Financial Performance 2017/18 was another successful year for the theatre financially, consolidating the two previous years’ results.
Total income increased by
12% to £3.5m
Over
£100k
invested in working with children and young people through our Creative Learning Programme
Public funding made up
Self-generated funds made up
of our income
income, an increase of 4% on the previous year and including income from ticket sales, bars and catering, trusts and foundations, hires, commissions and tax relief
28%
Catering income up by
29%
72% of our
£143k spent on supporting emerging creative businesses in the region through our ERDF and CLGF-funded Big House project
Income from ticket sales increased by in the year
5%
Our core funding from Arts Council England increased by a huge
59%
from April 2018
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Board & Staff Members Derby Theatre Board Members Jane Claire Dawn Foote Keith McLay Professor Kathryn Mitchell (Chair) Hari Punchihewa Achusla Vigh-Bolger Derby Theatre Leadership Team Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Rachael Thomas Executive Director Caroline Barth Creative Learning Director Administration Helen Pack Administration Officer Artistic & Learning Stuart Allen Senior Producer Ben Anderson In Good Company Creative Producer Lauren Barkes-Nickolds Programming and Community Engagement Co-ordinator Nicola Bellenger Young Artists and Participation Producer Tom Craig Community & Learning Associate Rafia Hussain Sustained Theatre Regional Associate Producer Alix Manning-Jones Cultural Education Producer Cheryl Mitchell Creative Learning Assistant Chloe Riley Learning Projects Co-ordinator Larry Waller Plus One Project Co-ordinator
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Box Office and Sales Paul Hawkins Box Office Manager Lindy Evans Box Office Supervisor Box Office Assistants Karen Hutchinson Lynda Stancliffe Casual Box Office Assistants Jasmine Barkes Adam Horvath Edward Jones Andy Mandoiu Helena Rimmer Lukas Slonimski Kate Spencer Annabelle Terry Catering Iona Henry Catering Manager Catering Assistants: Niamh Abbott Joseph Burton Tyrika Christian Imran Cousins Aalia Ebrahim Amelia Finch Dominic Gibbs Janet Khan Rebecca Legg Katyana Malcolm Kamara Markwell Lily Proto Amy Smith Susan Taylor
Customer Service Assistants Isobel Adams Niamh Atkinson Ellie Bustin Jake Castle Rosalie Carvin Georgie Hughes Molly Jennings Christine Kilby Harry Kingscott Aisling Lammond Sara MacGeagh Andy Mandoiu Jordan Peters Brianna Piasecki Rebecca Pipes Emily Redlaff Mia Schroder Ashton Vine Development David Brownlee Head of Development Edward Jones ERDF Project Officer Robyn Wilson Catalyst Programme Assistant Finance Harriet Spalding Finance Officer Lukas Slonimski Finance Assistant Front of House Andrew Tinley Front of House Manager Duty Managers Ruth Brailsford Aadam Khan Helena Rimmer
Marketing Emma Hogan Head of Marketing Heidi McKenzie Press and Marketing Manager Tom Adcock Marketing Officer Megan Langer Marketing Assistant Technical and Production Andy Nairn Head of Production and Premises Simon Birchall Technical Manager Beth Williams Company & Stage Manager Ele Munn Head of Lighting and Sound Ed Hingley Head of Stage James Bennett Technician (Sound) Lianne Clamp Technician (Stage) Katy Whitehouse Technician (Lighting) Shannon David Production Assistant Shaun Fishwick Maintenance Technician Wardrobe Tim Heywood Head of Wardrobe Aimee Russam Wardrobe Assistant
Looking Forward 2017/2018 was an amazing year for Derby Theatre. With fantastic productions, brilliant community work, exciting learning opportunities and access to the theatre making process at the heart of all that we’ve done. As we move forward, our plans remain ambitious. We have big productions planned for our stages, including Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses and a brilliant adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. We will continue to commission work and lead the way in supporting artists through our innovative and expanded In Good Company programme. We will nurture our successful partnership with the University of Derby and continue to enhance the learning environment that we have been able to create so successfully. Our commitment to making Derby Theatre a friendly and welcoming place for the city and region will continue. We strongly believe that Derby Theatre is a theatre for everyone. We want to share our theatre making process and look forward to you being part of that, whether as an audience member, student, staff member, artist or funder.
Sarah Brigham Chief Executive and Artistic Director Derby Theatre
Ivan Stott and Karen Young in Goldilocks & The Three Bears, 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: Jack Brett and Esme Sears in Peter Pan, photography by Robert Day. Designed by: thegreatfield.co.uk