Annual Review2012/13

A Gigantic Achievement!2012/13 has been one of our best financial years to date. We have enjoyed great success at the box office and grateful thanks are due to our ever loyal audience and the huge support we receive from sponsors, donors, Friends, staff and artists.

Attendance for the year was excellent averaging just over 85% for main house productions. 69,000 people saw a show at The Watermill Theatre with a further 30,400 seeing a Watermill production on tour in the UK.

In this year, we produced:

• 7 main house shows

• 1 outreach tour to 25 rural venues

• 1 mid-scale tour to 12 theatres

• 1 schools production to 34 schools

• 2 youth theatre productions

We also offered a range of additional activities including Book Clubs, one-off shows for children and a number of special Friends events.

‘It’s just amazing, standing on that stage and thinking ‘wow, I’m actually doing this!’ Senior Youth theatre

“There is nothing like drama for bringing young people together, and it kindles their interest in the theatre from a young age.” Senior Youth theatre parent

Outreach & EducationOur success extends to Outreach and Education work, with 13,250 participants taking part in a huge variety of activities, including:

• Waterminis (for the under 5s)

• Junior Youth Theatre

• Senior Youth Theatre

• Encore (regular drama workshops for older people no longer in full-time work)

• Upstage (weekly drama group for adults)

• Raising Voices (script reading service)

• Actors’ Forum (support network for local professional actors)

• Business Training Courses

• Holiday Courses for children of all ages

• Family Fun Days

• Scratch Choirs

• Schools workshops and bespoke teacher training

• Student work placements

• A large-scale community Shakespeare performance

• Young Company

• Associate Youth Theatre

Our core education and outreach work is kindly supported by The Dr. Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation.

Love on the Tracks By Richard AttleeInspired by the short stories of Anton ChekhovIn association with Big Olive Productions

“This play, without doubt, shows what English humour is all about: classy, witty, understated and not overtly played-for-laughs. After its short run at The Watermill, the production will be touring rural venues - what a treat those audiences have in store.” the public reviewS

“...a lightly farcical and endearingly romantic piece of theatre” the Stage

“It is an absolute treat, a truly first class production filled with ingenious action, impeccable acting and inventive direction by Michael Woodwood.” the britiSh theatre guide

“A delight from start to finish. Warm, inventive, touching, brilliantly observed and acted. Thank you” audience MeMber

Of Mice and MenBy John Steinbeck

“It’s hard to think of a play more perfectly calibrated to tug at the heart-strings than this one.” the good review *****

“…a final dramatic, emotional and moving ending that leaves you in a state of disbelief and tugs at your heartstrings. Highly recommended.” the britiSh theatre guide

“This is a beautifully subtle interpretation of Steinbeck’s classic and a memorable production.” whatSonStage.coM

“In the intimacy of that tiny theatre, we were part of his story, and all felt we‘d seen something special…all contributing to an evening of exceptional theatre.” dailY info

“Can’t explain how amazing that was! Cried my eyes out! Wow!” audience MeMber

EXCEEDED

ExceededBox Office

Target

EXCEEDED

ExceededBox Office

Target

Ben Hur Based on the novel by General ‘Lew’ Wallace Written by Patrick Barlow with Sean Foley

“...one of the funniest evenings in the theatre this decade.” what’S on Stage *****

“This is perfectly calibrated comedy.” the good review *****

“This stellar cast of four perform the epic Ben Hur…and it is an absolute triumph, a hilarious romp through Roman times with laughs from beginning to end.” the britiSh theatre guide

“...the Watermill is the master of executing small scale productions with a big impact.” the Stage

“A fantastic evening’s entertainment. Brilliantly acted, a superb production and utterly hilarious.” audience MeMber

Thoroughly Modern Millie Book by Richard Morris and Dick ScanlanNew Music by Jeanine Tesori, New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan

“Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Watermill Theatre is intoxicatingly uplifting and features a gifted cast.” the telegraph

“Musical Millie’s a dippy delight on stage.” the dailY Mail

“This is a high-energy exuberant production that has the feel-good factor in abundance.” the britiSh theatre guide

“Entering the auditorium for a first look at Tom Rogers’ extraordinary set is just the start of this thoroughly delightful experience.” what’S on Stage *****

“If this Production was entered in the Olympics it would be worthy of a Gold Medal…” audience MeMber

EXCEEDED

ExceededBox Office

Target

EXCEEDED

ExceededBox Office

Target

Arabian Nights By Toby Hulse

“… as welcome and snug as a Christmas stocking.” the tiMeS

“A delightful evening of storytelling awaits the audience in a very traditional style mixed with the usual Watermill resourcefulness and originality.” the Stage

“The Watermill Theatre’s Christmas show Arabian Nights is a delicious slice of Turkish Delight’. the britiSh theatre guide

“This is two hours of pure unadulterated joy for the whole family; a perfect festive treat.” public reviewS

“Arabian Nights is a wonderful Christmas treat.” Marlborough people

“Wonderful show - talented cast. Loved it.” audience MeMber

The Tempest By William Shakespeare

“The metaphors work on whichever level you choose, but one thing’s for sure - it’s a magical experience.” the Stage

“Director Paul Hart’s bold, modern-dress production of The Tempest is sheer magic” the britiSh theatre guide

“this interpretation is fresh and powerful, packed full of emotion.” Marlborough people

“…what a storm The Watermill conjures up!” dailY info

“Really enjoyed the performance - what energy!” audience MeMber

EXCEEDED

ExceededBox Office

Target

Sleuth By Anthony Shaffer

“This is a fast paced, high-energy production that is thoroughly enjoyable and is undoubtedly a must-see show.” the britiSh theatre guide

“… Attlee and Spencer ignite the stage, sparking off each other as the advantage see-saws between them, and the menace and tension are unsettlingly real, enhanced by Isobel Waller-Bridge’s suspenseful music and sound design and Nick Richings’ mood-changing lighting.” what’S on Stage *****

“… a production that remains gripping throughout.” the good review ****

“An amazingly skilled performance. Stunning and intriguing!” audience MeMber

Special Projects This year we ran arts-based projects with a variety of different groups including:

• Adults with physical and learning disabilities, frailty and dementia

• Students not in mainstream school aged 12-14 years

• Young people aged 13-18 with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

• Sufferers of Alzheimer’s and their carers

• Interview Skills for job seekers

• Communication skills for vulnerable families

Other Achievements• Our Friends committee raised over £90,000 for the theatre

• Ticket prices remain affordable starting at just £14

• Our restaurant generated a net of income of over £85,000

• 81% of income was earned from direct theatre activities and fundraising initiatives

EXCEEDED

ExceededBox Office

Target

Sustainability, Growth, Resilience Thanks to a special three year grant awarded by the Arts Council, England in 2011, we have been able to focus on some new elements of sustainability and artistic development. We have:

• employed two assistant directors, providing valuable training opportunities

• run a number of development workshops for new productions

• commissioned an initial feasibility study into the potential for implementing a sustainable heating and cooling system in the theatre building which would also reduce energy use and costs.

This year we received a Catalyst grant from the Arts Council, England. This scheme, running until June 2015, aims to make arts organisations more sustainable and innovative by increasing fundraising potential and attracting new money to invest in additional artistic work. Any new or increased donation will immediately un-lock Arts Council money at a level of £1 donated£1 matched. Our aim is to raise £110,000 during 2012-15 and in this period we raised just under £19,000, all of which is eligible for 100% match funding.

Financial Review It cost approximately £3.1 million this year to produce our plays, run the theatre and our education programme. We generated £2,519,000 of income ourselves through ticket sales, restaurant revenue and fundraising initiatives - a higher than budgeted income. Just £544,000 of our income came from grants and other income.

The success with our income, combined with continuing strict expenditure control, has resulted in a significant improvement in our unrestricted surplus. Our aim remains to re-invest any surplus in the continued excellence of our work and in the maintenance and improvement of our buildings which play such a key part in our viability. With the economic challenges ahead, the theatre must take steps to ensure that its long term viability is underpinned through a prudent reserves policy.

Sources of Income

Box office & Touring 49.5%Restaurant 17.9%Fundraising 12.1% Grant 16.7%Youth Theatre& Education 2.6%Other 1.2%

Sources of Expenditure

Production 58.6%Restaurant 15.8%Staff Costs 15.5%Fundraising 1.8%Organisational Costs 8.1%Other 0.2%

Restaurant 17.9%Fundraising 12.1% Grant 16.7%Youth Theatre& Education 2.6%Other 1.2%

Sources of Income

Box office & Touring 49.5%Restaurant 17.9%Fundraising 12.1% Grant 16.7%Youth Theatre& Education 2.6%Other 1.2%

Sources of Expenditure

Production 58.6%Restaurant 15.8%Staff Costs 15.5%Fundraising 1.8%Organisational Costs 8.1%Other 0.2%

Board of Directors, Development Boardand Friends Committee We are very grateful to the Board of Directors who continue to provide guidance and advice to the theatre and also the Development Board and Friends Committee whose fundraising commitment and energy is greatly appreciated.

Board of DirectorsAndrew Tuckey (Chairman), Tony Ayers, Ralph Bernard, Alison Blackmore, Peter Dann (Friends Chairman), Simon Fenton, Clare Fox, Karin Gartzke, Patrick Griffin, Deborah Puxley.

Development BoardRalph Bernard (Chairman), Robin Boycott, Peter Dann, Maggie Heath, Clare MacInnes, Julian Roskill, Elodie Stanley, Andrew Tuckey, Diana Waterlow.

Friends CommitteePeter Dann (Chairman), Carole Anne Armstrong, Mike Cole, Alan Davidson, Sally Fell, Caroline Lumley, Gaye Spencer, Barry Spiller, Julie Squire, Barry Stone, Ruth Tibbetts, Nicky Wilkins.

Contact UsAdministration: 01635 45834Facsimile: 01635 523726Email: admin@watermill.org.uk

The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 8AE

Our Supporters We rely heavily on the generosity of our corporate partners, trusts, foundations, Friends and the many individuals who support us financially throughout the year. We would like to express our sincere thanks to:

• Accenture • Archibald Shaw • Fuller’s Brewery, Horsey Lightly Solicitors • Sheepdrove Organic Farm • Cheam School • Codelocks Ltd • Cricketts • Dickins Hopgood Chidley • Gardner Leader Solicitors • The Garfield Weston Foundation • Highcross Group • Lloyds TSB Commercial • Newbury Building Society • Newbury Business Today • Rivar Ltd • Stearn Electric • Thorngrove School • Transform People International • The Arts Council, England • West Berkshire Council • Sir Trevor Chinn CVO and Lady Chinn • Cardy Beaver Foundation • The Colefax Charitable Trust • The Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation • The Dyers Company • CE Elliot-Cohen’s Charitable Settlement • The Englefield Charitable Trust • The AW Gale Charitable Trust • KDP • The Iliffe Charitable Trust • The Male Family Charitable Trust • Newbury DFAS • PGCT • Mr James Rees • Savills • Sheepdrove Trust • The Stanley Foundation •

Many thanks are extended to the tremendous team of Watermill staff, artists, technicians, volunteers, audience members and supporters who do so much to keep this unique theatre alive.

BOX OFFICE 01635 46044www.watermill.org.uk

The Watermill Theatre Trust is a registered charity no: 261430 and receives core funding from

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