annual review 2016-17 - nottingham playhouse · 04 nottingham playhouse 2016/17 annual review 05...

ANNUAL REVIEW 2016-17

02 Nottingham Playhouse

SPONSORS

OUR WORK WITH LOCAL BUSINESSESWe would like to thank thank the businesses who supported our work throughout the year with their much valued sponsorship of Nottingham Playhouse.

We’re proud to have such close relationships with companies in our city who help us to fulfil our mission of creating world class theatre that’s as diverse as the community we serve. Their support ensures we can welcome everyone to Nottingham Playhouse.

Thank you.

WELCOMEIn a year of new milestones for Nottingham Playhouse, we were pleased to reach more people, make stronger connections and provide more access to our work than ever before.

We started the year with The Government Inspector, the inaugural Ramps on The Moon production. We are proud to be part of a consortium of six organisations, in association with Graeae Theatre Company, who have committed to providing greater opportunities for D/deaf and disabled artists.

2017 saw us smash all previous Playhouse Box Office records, with our biggest selling theatre production ever, Touched. The casting of Vicky McClure, in her first professional theatrical production, made headlines but the combination of a Nottingham playwright, a cast of local actors and a story set firmly in the heart of the city resulted in a fantastic production which really resonated with our audiences.

We reached new people and forged stronger connections in the theatrical community thanks to co-productions with Northern Stage, Nuffield Southampton, West Yorkshire Playhouse, ajtc and New Perspectives Theatre Company. All The Little Lights (our co-production with associate artists Fifth Word) and Tony’s Last Tape both went out on acclaimed UK tours, and Tony even made a pit-stop to perform for MPs in the Houses of Parliament. Our fundraising efforts continued apace, with our SHINE appeal flying past its target (largely thanks to our generous Panto audiences), leading to the opening of seven new youth theatres across the city and county.

Once again we thank the people who make all this possible: our fantastic and hard-working staff; our funders Arts Council England and Nottingham City Council; our growing band of members, sponsors and donors, and our wonderful and diverse audiences – thank you so much for your support of Nottingham Playhouse. We couldn’t do it without you.

03

INTRODUCTION

2016/17 Annual ReviewImage credit: The Government Inspector, Robert Day

Stephanie Sirr Chief Executive

Giles Croft Artistic Director

Caroline Shutter Chair

NOTTINGHAMGEDLING

RUDDINGTON

KEYWORTH

LONG EATON

BEESTON

HUCKNALL CALVERTON

TO MANSFIELD AND WORKSOP

TO COLLINGHAM

TO LOUGHBOROUGH AND LEICESTER

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROGAll Hallows CoE Primary School, GedlingGlenbrook Primary School, Bilborough

Willowbrook Primary SchoolOaktree Primary

Stanstead Nursery and Primary School Seely Infant & Nursery School

Rufford Primary SchoolBlue Bell Hill Primary School

Kirby WoodhouseJohn Blow Primary School

QMC Children’s Hospital School (The Chapel) Lady Bay Preschool School

Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary AcademyFairfield Preparatory School

Mansfield Woodhouse, Worksop Library Melbury Primary School

Oakfield School & Specialist Sports CollegeFernwood Primary & Nursery School

Crabtree Farm Primary

05 2016/17 Annual Review04 Nottingham Playhouse

PEOPLE AND PLACES

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE AROUND THE UKPEOPLE AND PLACES

NOISES OFFNorthern Stage, Newcastle upon TyneNuffield Theatre, Southampton

THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTORBirmingham RepNew Wolsey Theatre, IpswichWest Yorkshire Playhouse, LeedsTheatre Royal Stratford EastLiverpool Playhouse Sheffield Theatres

THE UNDERGROUND MANMill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, GuildfordThe Courtyard, HerefordAberangell Village Hall, MachynllethTheatr Twm o’r Nant, DenbighThe Market Theatre, LedburyEveryman Studio Theatre, CheltenhamThe Hawth Studio, CrawleyThe Beggar’s Theatre, MillomThe Forum, NorthallertonEden Court Theatre, InvernessThe Brunton, MusselburghThe Byre Theatre, St AndrewsInnellan Village Hall, Argyll & ButeTheatre Royal, MargateThe Civic, BarnsleyThe Lady Margaret Hall, WelbeckWest End Centre, AldershotMarket Place Theatre, ArmaghIsland Arts Centre, LisburnDown Arts Centre, DownpatrickSwallow Theatre, Whithorn, WigtownshireBrewery Arts Centre, KendalYork Theatre Royal Lincoln Drill Hall

Llanbedr Village Hall, Crickhowell

SLEUTHWest Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

TONY’S LAST TAPE

After two runs at the Playhouse, and a stint at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015, Tony hit the road again in 2016 for a nationwide tour. But perhaps his most important appointment was in Westminster, where the show was performed as part of Nottingham in Parliament day. The select audience included Tony’s son and daughter, Hilary and Melissa Benn.

Lawrence Batley Theatre, HuddersfieldEveryman Theatre, LiverpoolTorch Theatre, Milford HavenRoyal Welsh College of Music & DramaTaliesin Arts Centre, SwanseaMerlin Theatre, FromeStamford Arts CentreLincoln Drill HallGala Theatre, DurhamGrand Theatre (Studio), BlackpoolBrewhouse Arts Centre, BurtonNorth Wall Arts Centre, OxfordBridge House Theatre, Warwick

Pomegranate Theatre, ChesterfieldMumford Theatre, CambridgeMercury Theatre, Colchester

The Core at Corby Cube

ALL THE LITTLE LIGHTSTheatre Royal WakefieldBirmingham RepFfwrnes Theatre, LlanelliMercury Theatre, ColchesterHull Truck TheatreQuarry Theatre, BedfordTron Theatre, GlasgowOxford PlayhouseStamford Arts CentreMarlowe Theatre, CanterburyTheatre Royal Plymouth

THE KITE RUNNER

The kites fly on – in December 2016, Giles Croft’s production entered the West End, three years after it first premiered at Nottingham Playhouse. During the run, which enjoyed sold out performances and further critical acclaim, the cast also took to the stage to condemn Donald Trump’s immigration ban on all Muslims entering the US.

Wyndham’s Theatre, London

06 07Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review

REVIEWS REVIEWS

“A VISUAL DELIGHT, WITH HUMOUR AND HORROR” LeftLion - The Revenger’s Tragedy

HHHHH “A SWEET YET THOUGHT-PROVOKING TALE.” Mumsnet - The Princess and the Frog

HHHH “WILDLY FUNNY AND BEAUTIFULLY STAGED PANTOMIME” The Stage - Aladdin

“POSSIBLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST REGIONAL SHOWS IN THE COUNTRY.” British Theatre Guide - Touched

HHHH “EXQUISITE... A BEGUILING JOURNEY INTO THE PAST” Daily Mail - Touched

HHHH “THE PUNCH-UPS AND PRATFALLS ARE PEERLESSLY EXECUTED” The Guardian - Noises Off

“A POWERFUL AND MOVING, OFTEN FUNNY PIECE OF WORK” Nottingham Post - Kings

HHHH “MAGNIFICENTLY FRESH AND INNOVATIVE” What’s On Stage - The Government Inspector

HHHHH “A SURE FIRE HIT” East Midlands Theatre - Sleuth

“A QUIETLY STRANGE, ORIGINAL AND RIVETING PIECE OF THEATRE.” Nottingham Post - The Underground Man

“SUPREMELY STYLISH”The Times - Darkness, Darkness

Image credits: (left) The Government Inspector, (this page) Aladdin, Robert Day

AVERAGE TICKET YIELD

£17.50

THE YEAR IN FIGURES TOTAL TICKETS

130,747TOTAL BOOKERS

24,961TOTAL NUMBER OF EVENTS 655

£3,412,870 Earned income

V £1,510,003

Subsidyof total turnover 31%

69%

PERCENTAGE OF LOCAL AUTHORITY FUNDING COMPARED TO TURNOVER

Subsidy per head from Nottingham City Council

£1.05

Subsidy per head from Arts Council England

£10.713%09 2016/17 Annual Review

A co-production with Northern Stage and Nuffield, Southampton

NOISES OFFSATURDAY 9 - SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2016As a touring troupe desperately try to hold their shambolic production of ‘Nothing On’ together and with under 24 hours to go until curtain-up, it’s downhill all the way through their dress rehearsal as backstage antics, forgotten lines, not-so-secret romances, hilarious malfunctions and a tin of sardines threaten to result in a disastrous first performance.


FACTS AND FIGURES SHOWS

Image credit: Noises Off, Robert Day

NUMBER OF

FIRST TIME

BOOKERS

9010

75 ACTORS HIRED

2263PAY WHAT YOU CAN tickets sold

A co-production with Ramps on The Moon

THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTORWEDNESDAY 4 - SATURDAY 14 MAY 2016The Mayor is in a cold sweat. News has reached him of an imminent visit from a Government Inspector. His fear is well-founded as he has been somewhat lacking in his official duties. Surely the only possible solution is bribery, but a simple case of mistaken identity leads matters to spiral hysterically out of control. Could it be that they have met their match in the complicated business of deception?

11 2016/17 Annual Review

SHOWS

OUR WORK WITH RAMPS ON THE MOONIn 2016, our partnership with Ramps on the Moon produced its first touring show – The Government Inspector. A groundbreaking six-year touring project funded by Arts Council England, Ramps on the Moon’s creation signals a step change in disability arts provision in the UK and will reframe the inclusion and integration of D/deaf and disabled individuals in the UK theatre sector.

Ramps on the Moon brings together a collaborative network of six National Portfolio Organisation theatres: New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Birmingham Rep, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Nottingham Playhouse, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and strategic partner Graeae Theatre Company.

Nottingham Playhouse is proud to be part of a network committed to offering opportunities to disabled people by putting disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their programmes, to further the mainstreaming of disability arts and culture.

Each venue will co-produce shows over consecutive years, aiming to give all the organisations direct experience of working with disabled artists and learning how to develop disabled audiences. This will teach each theatre how to integrate disabled people into everything they do going forward, create a collaborative circuit of regional theatres and address the current low levels of attendance by disabled audiences. Disabled artists will form a minimum of 50% of the creative team; sign language, captioning and audio description will be embedded in the productions – and organisations will be connecting with disabled audiences in each area and beyond.

With the success of The Government Inspector, which went on to be nominated for an Olivier award, there are great things ahead.

Image credit: The Government Inspector, Robert Day.10 Nottingham Playhouse

SHOWS

KINGSWEDNESDAY 20 - SATURDAY 30 APRIL 2016A new play brimming with black humour, celebrating the strong friendships of a group of men living in a Nottingham hostel. One of the residents, Wayne, is finally moving into his own flat, forcing his friends to examine their own lives over Jaffa Cakes, Special Brew and a bit of a sing-song.

Image credit: Kings, Robert Day


SHOWS SHOWS

neat16TUESDAY 17 MAY – SUNDAY 12 JUNE 2016 Nottingham’s city-wide arts festival returned after a two-year hiatus with a fantastic and exciting programme of theatre, film, dance, literature, music, exhibitions and more, across multiple venues.

neat16 at Nottingham Playhouse delivered a packed programme of amazing new work designed to fascinate, challenge and uplift. It showcased the best of every art-form and offered a remarkable amount of choice – new writing or re-imagined classics, grand opera or contemporary art, new talent or old masters, hip-hop or household names.

Image credit: Schools Massive, Alan Fletcher

A co-production with New Perspectives

DARKNESS, DARKNESSFRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER - SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER 2016Detective Charlie Resnick is on the verge of retirement when DI Catherine Njoroge convinces him to take on one more case following the discovery of the body of Jenny Hardwick, a young woman who disappeared during the bitterly-fought miners’ strike 30 years earlier. As Resnick and Njoroge’s investigation unfolds, old wounds sustained on the Nottinghamshire picket lines are re-opened and memories of broken relationships resurface.


SHOWS SHOWS

THE REVENGER’S TRAGEDYFRIDAY 28 OCTOBER - SATURDAY 12 NOVEMBER 2016Imagine a world without justice, where the rich and powerful do what they like and get away with murder. The Revenger’s Tragedy takes us behind the scenes in this world of glamour, riches and celebrity. Entering this lawless universe, Vindice thirsts for justice and plans a dazzling revenge for the murder of his sweetheart. As he is drawn further and further into the dark heart of this group, is he in danger of becoming just as bad as the amoral people he despises?

A co-production with West Yorkshire Playhouse

SLEUTHFRIDAY 9 - SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2016Andrew Wyke is a rich and successful mystery writer whose obsession with playing games is in danger of losing him everything. Luring his wife’s lover Milo to his country pile, Andrew persuades him to take part in a specially created challenge.Before long their power struggle descends into a sinister and deadly duel of wits, where nothing is off-limits.

Sponsored by

Image credits: Sleuth; Darkness, Darkness and The Revengers Tragedy, Robert Day.

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROGTHURSDAY 8 - SATURDAY 31 DECEMBER 2016Once upon a time the rather spoilt Princess Fenella stole a beautiful golden ball to play with in the palace gardens. Then suddenly – ooops – she dropped and lost it! Thankfully, Filbert the Frog came to help her, but on one condition: he wanted to be allowed into the palace. And so began their most unlikely friendship…


SHOWS

TOUCHEDFRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 4 MARCH 2017The promise of a brave new world has arrived with peace in Europe and the election of the first ever Labour government. But the fighting is not yet over. With her husband away at war and having lost her son in a tragic car accident during the blackout, Sandra is torn apart by grief. Meanwhile, her sisters – the brash Joan and naïve Betty – are brimming with hope for the future and the possibilities of new lives ahead for all of them.

ALADDINFRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2016 - SATURDAY 21 JANUARY 2017Aladdin has everything you could wish for in a festive treat for all the family: spectacular sets, dazzling song and dance numbers, eye-popping costumes and familiar friends. It’s a magic carpet ride full of adventure as our hero attempts to win the heart of the beautiful Princess Jasmine. Just watch out for the evil magician Abanazar, who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the all-powerful magic lamp.

SHOWS

16 Nottingham Playhouse Image credits: The Underground Man and The Princess and the Frog, Alan Fletcher Image credit: Aladdin and Touched, Robert Day.

Sponsored by

A co-production with ajtc

THE UNDERGROUND MANTHURSDAY 22 SEPTEMBER - SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER 2016William Cavendish-Scott-Bentinck, The Fifth Duke of Portland, is an eccentric Nottinghamshire aristocrat whose imagination and curiosity know no bounds. This deceptively simple man struggles to come to terms with a world that is teeming with new knowledge, ill-founded opinion and gossip.

Why does he hide himself away at Welbeck Abbey? What is his fascination with tunnels?

Will he ever unearth the secrets hidden in his memory?

Sponsored by


VISITING COMPANIES VISITING COMPANIES

MUSICNicola Loud Lunchtime Classics

Guy Johnson and Sheku Kanneh-Mason Lunchtime Classics

Celebration of Ghazal, Qawalli and Sufi Music

Mary Chapin Carpenter

The Wallace Collection Lunchtime Classics

The Sacconi Quartet Lunchtime Classics

Roots of Reggae Cultural Vibrations

Wihan Quartet Lunchtime Classics

Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

The Carrivick Sisters

Ramin Karimloo & The Broadgrass Band

Johnny Cash Roadshow

Streetwise Opera

Women in Music Cultural Vibrations

Georgie Fame in Concert

Roy Wood

AN EVENING WITHPat Barker

Jacqueline Wilson

Jack Monroe

Jon Ronson

VISITING COMPANIES

DRAMADifferent is Dangerous Two’s Company

A Girl and A Gun Louise Orwin

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Family Ben Norris

Cathy Cardboard Citizens

Call Mr Robeson Tayo Aluka and Friends

Love Life No Sat Nav Unanima Theatre

The Collector Kathryn Barker Productions

Police Cops This Theatre

Richard III A One Woman Show Brite Theatre

Cartoonopolis Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse

Love Sick All In Theatre

Home Fozen Light in association with New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich

Letters To Windsor House Sh!t Theatre

COMEDY Rob Delaney Meat Tour

Graeme of Thrones

All-Star Stand-Up Tour 2016

Grumpy Old Women

Star Wars MissImp

Rhymes Against Humanity MissImp

Comedy Summerfest

Russell Howard Work In Progress

Rich Hall Live

Jenny Eclair How To Be A Middle Aged Woman

Miles Jupp Songs Of Freedom

Hans Teeuwen Real Rancour

Julian Clary The Joy Of Mincing

Russell Brand

Jeremy Hardy

Marcus Brigstocke Why The Long Face?

Romesh Ranganathan Irrational

John Shutleworth My Last Will and Tasty Mint

Ishi Khan- Jackson ImMIGRANT!

Richard Herring The Best

Reduced Shakespeare Company William Shakespeare’s Long Lost First Play (abridged)

Jonathan Pie Live

David O’Doherty Big Time

Count Arthur Strong The Sound Of Mucus

Stewart Lee Content Provider

Morgan & West Parlour Tricks

Rob Brydon I Am Standing Up

Sue Perkins In Spectacles

Al Murray Let’s Go Backwards Together

FAMILYTom Thumb DNA

Old Mother Hubbard and Her Cupboard Garlic Theatre

Lullaby Lane Half Moon

Very Hungry Caterpillar

Dinosaur Zoo

The Snow Queen Little Pixie Productions

Jack Frost Moon On A Stick

Chester Tuffnut

DANCEBallet Black Triple Bill featuring Storyville

Paco Pena Petrias

Next Door Dance The Beautiful Game

Motionhouse Scattered

BalletBoyz

Lost Dog Dance

SPOKEN WORD Say Sum Thin 11

OTHERCafé Missing Fittings Multi Media Arts

#refugeewelcome

REHEARSED READINGS/ WORK IN PROGRESSLit by Sophie Ellerby

Scratch Nights

HIRESMADD Gala Showcase 2016

Stand In The Spotlight Spotlight Theatre

Dance Express and Variations 2016 Tracy Quaife School of Dance

What A Feelin’ Sophie’s Academy of Performing Arts

Feelin’ Good Sandra Taylor School of Dance

neat16Mihaela: Tiger of Our Town rehearsed reading

The Syrian Monologues rehearsed reading

Youth Fest

Against Love rehearsed reading

Nordic Drama Company of Angels rehearsed reading

Radio Culture rehearsed reading

Invisible rehearsed reading

Coal Gary Clarke Dance

World Fusion Music

DH Lawrence: By Night and Day staged reading

The Trilogy performance

The Domino Effect NP Youth Theatre

Cloudcuckoolanders performance

Time at the Bar performance

War & Peace Gob Squad

Documentaries by Michael Eaton

Of or at a fairly low temperature

I, Myself and Me

The Complete Deaths Spymonkey

A Girl with a Book

Poet In Da Corner Mouthy Poets

Image credit: Billy Bragg & Joe HenryImage credit: The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Family


A CULTURAL DESTINATION A CULTURAL DESTINATION

Nottingham Playhouse is pleased and proud to play a role on the Board of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature. As an organisation that has been telling Nottingham’s stories since 1948 and has a long term commitment to new writing we are working closely with City of Literature. Literature is an essential part of what we do – whether that’s supporting literacy in some of the city’s most deprived areas or staging a brand new main-stage play by a Nottingham writer.

Nottingham Playhouse is a core member and Vice Chair of the City’s Strategic Cultural Partnership – a group of organisations that exists to unite, celebrate and

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITY

champion the extraordinary cultural offer in

our city and the incredible force for good that this represents. Joining with Dance4, Lakeside Arts Centre, City of Literature, City Arts, Broadway Media Centre, New Art Exchange, Nottingham Contemporary, the two major Universities and the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall amongst others the SCP and its Cultural Framework has created a blueprint for the cultural life of the city.

We were thrilled that our production of Tony’s Last Tape by local writer Andy Barrett was selected to represent the city at its Nottingham In Parliament Day. The day itself was a huge success with presentations of the very best of our city including our new status as UNESCO City of Literature. Philip Bretherton recreated his stunning performance as Tony Benn to an audience that included Bruce Kent, several MPs who had known Tony well - and the Benn family themselves.

Writer Andy Barrett, director Giles Croft, Hilary Benn MP and Chief Executive Stephanie Sirr.

Image credit: Luminarium, Alan Fletcher. Reading flashmob, Nottingham City of Literature

ONE YEAR IN: PLAYHOUSE PASS STATS

“BRILLIANT!! One of the best things I have seen in the last few years... Give us more please.” Lynda Shaw on The Government Inspector

“Really enjoyed Touched last night... it was brilliant. Definitely not to be missed.” Mikaela Morley


PLAYHOUSE PASS PLAYHOUSE PASS

Membership played a greater role than ever in 2016-17. Playhouse Pass membership is more than just a fresh new look. Launched in June 2016, it preserves the best features of the old Backstage Pass scheme – including generous discounts and extra invitations. It also adds a new guarantee of priority booking for its members, who are first to access every Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company

production and many visiting shows as well. Playhouse Pass got off to a promising start, seeing an immediate increase in new members over the financial year.

“It was very interesting to see so many parts of the set and especially good that Jamie was able to tell us about the hard work going on backstage.” Kirsty Hatton on the Aladdin set tour

Image credit: Noises Off and Aladdin, Robert Day Image credit: Darkness, Darkness, Robert Day

12,479 The number of tickets booked by members in 2016-17 – worth £203,726.70

Exclusive encounters with Vicky McClure and John Harvey

were the best attended members’ events to date.

£7.84 The average donation by members, making them big supporters of our fundraising appeals

£140.68The average ticket spend per member

42% of members saw 4 or more shows

“A good play, well-acted, reflecting on a difficult time in the country’s history… If you get a chance go down and take a look for yourselves. Well done again to the Playhouse!” Shaun O’Sullivan on Darkness, Darkness

We have plans to continue to expand so every child in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire can SHINE. You can keep up to date on new developments by visiting nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/shine

WITH THANKS TO:The Thomas Farr Charity, The Chetwode Foundation, The Thoresby Charitable Trust, Nottinghamshire County Council, Councillor John Doddy, our pantomime audiences for donating after performances, over 350 audience members who made donations when booking tickets, and Sylvia Draycott, Liz Squires, Cressida Laywood and David Swaby for their fundraising efforts.

FUNDRAISING

In January 2017, the SHINE youth

theatres graced our mainstage and performed in front of an audience of their peers and family. They proudly performed the theatre pieces they had created

and celebrated their achievements. They loved being and performing at

Nottingham Playhouse and for many it was their first visit. They now feel a great sense of ownership of the building and

can’t wait to come back in June 2017.

“Starting this group gave me a new opportunity to make friends, to have a social life which I previously didn’t have…Shine bought out the confidence I didn’t have, without it I wouldn’t be who I am now.” Louisa, Bulwell Youth Theatre Member, 16.

Taking part in SHINE isn’t all about performing - it helps members become more actively involved in the Arts and their community and gives them the opportunity to create relationships with young people from other schools in their area.

For some children it gives them the confidence boost they need at a crucial time in their lives. One parent was exceptionally proud of her daughter who after attending SHINE workshops just for a month, was able to confidently go to the corner shop. Previously, she wouldn’t have even spoken to the shop owner. It’s the small but significant ways in which SHINE impacts members’ lives that really makes all the difference.

2016/17 Annual Review 25

BRAMCOTE

CHILWELL

QMC

GEDLINGNETHERFIELD

GEDLINGNEWSTEAD

MANSFIELD

SHERWOODBULWELL

We operate these youth theatres in:• Bramcote• Bulwell• Chilwell• Gedling Netherfield

• Gedling Newstead• Mansfield• Sherwood• QMC Children’s Hospital School


In 2016-17 we expanded our SHINE free community youth theatre programme and opened seven brand new youth theatres and continued to work in Bulwell.

Now, over 120 young people have the opportunity to create theatre, discover their voices and grow in confidence. Thanks to our generous funders and donors who donated over £13,000, they can take part for free so no-one is excluded.

SHINE youth theatre members also became involved in our other activities:• Two members have become regular members of Critics Circle.

• Five members attended the Bugsy Malone Summer School and performed on the mainstage

• Six members now attend our weekly Youth Theatres held at Nottingham Playhouse

VICKY McCLURE BECAME THE PATRON OF THE 50:50 APPEAL AND SAID:

“Every time I see a live performance it makes me wonder why I don’t do it more often. The feeling it gives you is unlike anything else. It captures a moment and a memory that is hard to forget. From the moment you enter the theatre to the conversations it brings after the show, it has such a huge

emotional effect. It’s a joyous feeling.

However, not everyone is able to relish this experience like we are. Many people in our own community who face significant struggles will never have the chance to experience this joyful atmosphere.

Nottingham Playhouse are working hard to change this through their important 50:50 appeal.

Through 50:50, Nottingham Playhouse donates tickets to local charities, community groups, and schools to ensure that our theatre is truly for everyone.”

We also heard back from Clare. Clare’s family received 50:50 tickets to Dick Whittington in 2015 when they were receiving support from Home-Start, a charity that supports struggling families. Clare’s son, Freddie, has autism and struggles with being in new places and surroundings. Here is their story:

“Two years ago, Nottingham Playhouse very kindly donated free tickets to Home-Start so that the families they supported could come and watch the pantomime. For lots of families, this was the first time they had been to see a pantomime. Before our visit to the theatre, during one of the Home-Start family support group sessions, we got a surprise visit from some of the panto cast. The children were so excited to see the actors in their costumes - it was such a magical experience to see their faces light up.

When the day came for the Home-Start families to watch the panto, I felt a bit apprehensive. Going into a huge theatre like Nottingham Playhouse, knowing how Freddie struggled with new experiences made me feel quite nervous as to how Freddie was going to react. But Nottingham Playhouse were great- before the show started I was allowed to take Freddie in to the auditorium early so that he felt at ease, knew what to expect and knew where he would be sitting. He loved it! And he remembered some of the actors from when they came to the Home-Start family group. For Freddie that was really important, as he needs to make sense of what’s going on

around him. Freddie loved the experience so much that when Nottingham Playhouse gave Home-Start panto tickets the following year, we came along again!

Freddie’s experience of theatre and of Nottingham Playhouse gave him the confidence to take up drama at school, (something I’d never have thought possible before he saw the panto). The next thing I knew was that Freddie’s school were taking part in Nottingham Playhouse’s ‘Schools Massive’ project. I was over the moon, as was Freddie. He coped so well with it, and I felt so very proud watching him perform that day. Never did I ever imagine my little boy taking part in Shakespeare in a professional theatre, seeing him up on the stage is a memory I will treasure forever.

Freddie has been on such a positive journey when it comes to drama, and it all started with the day he came to see the Nottingham Playhouse pantomime. Thank you.”

As Freddie’s story shows, it’s not just about the ticket – it’s about where someone’s first theatre experience will lead them. Thank you to all the 50:50 donors that make stories like this possible.

27 2016/17 Annual Review26 Nottingham Playhouse

FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING

Photograph by: Robert Day

PLAYHOUSE 50:50 APPEAL

Generous audience members continued to donate to our 50:50 appeal. Over 1,200 people donated over £7,500. We were able to give away 700 tickets to people facing social and economic disadvantage and welcomed audience members from charities and community groups such as Framework, Home-Start, Nottingham Women’s Centre, the Refugee Forum and food banks based across the county.


PARTICIPATION


PARTICIPATION

PARTICIPATION IN HOUSEIn House provides a welcoming space and inclusive environment for individuals who have experienced or are dealing with issues of homelessness, mental health problems, substance misuse or social isolation. Generously funded by Boots Charitable Trust this is a partnership project delivered alongside Services for Empowerment and Advocacy (SEA), who bring extensive experience in pastoral care to support the participants involved.

The In House group is a regular participatory theatre group which provides vulnerable and disadvantaged adults with the opportunity to engage with the performing arts, many of whom would be doing so for the very first time.

IN HOUSE AIMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:• Develops knowledge, understanding and appreciation of all aspects of the performing arts

• Develops skills

• Helps to build confidence and improve overall well-being.

• Builds relationships

• Provides new experiences and opportunities to see professional theatre

The group created their own performance - a moving piece about their own personal experience of homelessness. Over the weeks the participants created their own original audio and soundtrack and a group poem which was worked into their play for the sharing. Each participant’s voice was recorded describing their experience of being homeless or feeling isolated. This was then used as the opening soundtrack to the sharing. The sharing was performed to a group of 33 family and friends in the Neville Studio on Tuesday 28 March 2017.

“Very positive engagement keeps you out of negative thoughts environment. Help to build confidence and change mood in positive way. Unbeatable, priceless service.”

“I was scared to come at first as I do not normally go to these kind of things but I am really glad I did. Every week I look forward to these sessions” and “This group has really helped to build my confidence again”

FEEDBACK AND COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED FROM PARTICIPANTS:


PARTICIPATION PARTICIPATION

Image credits: Schools Massive, Alan Fletcher; Tommy in rehearsal, Patrick Baldwin

SUMMER SCHOOLSIn August 2016, our two Summer Schools (9 -14 years, and 14 – 16 years) performed on the main stage at Nottingham Playhouse, enabling more children and young people to take part. 25% of the places offered were free, and these bursary places were taken by young people in the city and from our Shine Community Youth Theatres.

Our summer schools provide the opportunity for young people to take part in a show created with the same care and skill we bring to professional productions. They also have the chance to perform to a large audience. The summer schools staged spectacular performances of Bugsy Malone and Noughts and Crosses. Young people taking part in our Shakespeare Summer School performed Macbeth in the Neville studio.

“Brilliant for the young people’s confidence and a great exercise in concentration and focus for my son Kane. Kane has learned a great deal this week about focusing

and collaborative work. I think his performance was great and the facilitators were

brilliant also. Thank you.” – Simon, Parent 55+

This year we teamed up with Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall to offer a wider and more varied programme for over 55s. We have been able to offer four different creative activities a week and over 129 people came to Nottingham Playhouse in the past year to enjoy activities ranging from creative writing and dance, to our reader’s group and mixed media art.

“Very accessible, involving and inclusive.” Participant

“It was helpful to have looked at and discussed some of the Nottingham Playhouse productions – this enhances the actual experience.” Participant

PARTICIPATION HIGHLIGHTSSCHOOLS MASSIVE Schools Massive in March 2017 was a great success with over 350 children from 10 different schools performing Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet on the main stage at Nottingham Playhouse. We had over 1400 parents, friends, family and teachers attend both performances.

THE PRACTICE This year we piloted our first weekly theatre group for D/deaf and disabled performers and theatre makers which started in January 2017. It was developed with Laura Guthrie, Agent for Change and Fiona Buffini, Associate Director as part of our involvement with the Ramps on the Moon project. Each week the sessions were led by Fiona or guest artists focusing on the group developing their practice, learning new skills and exploring ideas in a professional theatre setting.

“The whole group had different backgrounds and levels of expertise. However the group merged really well. I probably had least experience of all but that didn’t matter, the group made me feel at home and never made me feel inferior experience wise. The tutors were very clear explaining things and their enthusiasm was contagious - totally enjoyed the experience.” Kay Butler, participant.


STAFF STAFF

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE STAFFHannah Abraham NinanThomas AdcockRachel AmeryBen AndersonRia AshcroftKathryn Bainbridge-WilsonMark BamfordIlija Barosevcic Shellie-Ann BarrowcliffeSteph BartleAndy BartlettCallum BattlemuchChristine BaxterManya BenensonSinéad BevanKarl BlochTon BlytheKarl BockGeorge BodenHarry BridgeFiona BuffiniAndrew BulletPamela BullettLouise CarneyJonathan ChildLauren ConnollyJessica CormackGiles CroftJames CurtisMartin CurtisAlexander DanielOlwen Davies

Jordan DavisMark DawsonNicola DawsonClare DevineIan DowningMatt DyasNigel EatonJane Eliot-WebbTony EmeryValerie EvansHeather FlindersJanine ForsterStacey FosterEmma FowlerAnna-Kate GoldingDerek GrahamEmma GreenhalghImane GuendouzKristy GuestPhilip GunnLaura GuthrieEmily HackettAmanda HallWilliam Hall Sharlene Harvard-YoungAlex HattonKaty HautzKarla HenryKaron HillNikki HillRob HillTori HopeChris HowittAbi Hubbard

Brian HumphersonDale HurrenCindy HutchinsonKirsty HutchinsonLaura HutchinsonJayne HymanTracy JamesSanpreet JanjuaTom JeavonsLucy JenkinsLydia JonesVictoria JonesRebecca JordanWill KennyMark KennyJessica KempJosh KnottImogen LeaStuart LambertMichelle LeekGemma LeggettGeorgie LeversAcaycia LewisGeoff LinneyDino LoizouKatie LuckhurstShona MacDonaldHeather MaclaurinVickki MaidenHabiba MakhloufEliot MartinAlix Manning-JonesGiada MaranRichard Marson

Mufaro MakubikaValentine MakubikaLivia McLauchlanJo McLeishCallum McRobbieSooki McShaneEllis MiddletonGary MillerJack Monday Maddie MonteSophie MorrellNick MorrisClare MossJudith MoultonAlexandra Moxon Tafadzwa MuchirahondoSiba MunsanjeAndy NairnJess NiemzSam NicholsonLena NitschJohn NotonSara OakdenLaura Osei-BonsuOrkut OtcikinTom ParsonsKushal PatelFrances PearsonLouise PearsonAdam PenfordAurora PerrinWill PettipherNathan PowellPaul Preston

Kirk RatcliffeSimon RavenOliver ReadRichard RenshawSarah RichardDave RichardsonSarah RickardSteve RidgwayJill RobertshawLauren RobinsonMilton RobinsonStephen RobinsonKate RobothamNathan RoseLaura RuttyAneela SamraiDominika SarosiGraham SaxbyJacob SeelochanJustine SharpSabrina ShawLisa ShipmanKathryn ShooterJoanna SigsworthSheila SissonStephanie SirrIsla SleathJamie SmithJulian SmithMatthew SmithOllie SmithStewart SmithSally SmithsonAoife Smyth

Allie SpencerSarah StephensonHannah StoneSarah StoreyDominico StravinoRichard SurgayVictoria SuttonRichard SwiftSheldon TalbotOtis ThomasClaire ThompsonAndrew TinleyTony ToppingAmy TownsonHolly TrueloveMichael TurtonHelen TyeKerry Van-de-brouckeBe WadeJeremy WalkerPatricia WalshCarol WardAndrew WeaverWilliam WelchOlivia WheelerPaul WhiteCherelle WilksSusan YeomanRichard Zamorski

VOLUNTEERSIlija Barosevcic Karl BlochRichard Brown

Louise CarneyLynn CoxonSylvia DraycottTeri ForeyKaty GoreDavid LumbSusan MacCormickSiba MunsanjeAndrew PearceLiz SquiresOlivia TrivettNieves Zuniga

BOARD OF TRUSTEESCllr Cat ArnoldCllr Steve Battlemuch Andy BattyDavid BelbinDavid Brownlee Tim ChallansHarvey GoodmanCaroline Shutter (Chair)Paul SouthbyMichelle Vacciana

MEMBERSKatie Aungles Dan BakerAndy BarrettFred Brookes Michaela Butter MBE Sue CullenSue Dewey OBE

Stephanie DrakesJonathan EnglishRastarella FaladeHelen FlachMark FletcherCllr Brian GrocockRoger HarcourtSuma HardingCllr Stan Heptinstall Tom HuggonCressida Laywood Thulani MolifeHoward MorrisBernadette O’DriscollCllr Jill Owen Cllr Michael PayneProf. John Pike OBEMich StevensonDavid Stewart OBEHelen TarverDavid TillySimon WhiteCllr John WilmottTony WillsDorothy WilsonCllr Malcolm WoodRod Wood

THE NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE TEAM 2016-17


STAFF STAFF

ACTORSIsobel Adams

James Alexandrou

Ritu Arya

Iain Armstrong

John Askew

Timothy Baggaley

Becky Barry

Sarah Beck Mather

George Boden

Navinder Bhatti

Robin Bowerman

Philip Bretherton

Paul Brightwell

Alexander Campbell

David Carlyle

Nathan Clarke

Richard Clewes

Esther Coles

Stephen Collins

Danielle Corlass

Rachel Denning

Joe Doherty

Chris Donnelly

Daniel Dore

John Elkington

Charlotte Ellen

Sophie Ellerby

Nathan Elwick

David Fleeshman

Irene-Myrtle Forrester

Luke Gell

Becci Gemmell

Dominic Grove

Chloe Harris

Rebekah Hinds

Daryl Jackson

Mick Jasper

Christopher Jordan

Michael Keane

Ian Kirkby

Rebecca Little

Aisling Loftus

Brian Lonsdale

Chris Lund

Ewan Marshall

Bethan Mary-James

Vicky McClure

Kevin McGowan

Rhona McKenzie

Carla Mendonça

Martin Miller

Francesca Mills

Robin Morrissey

Sophia Nomvete

Patrick Osbourne

Declan Perring

Mary Jo Randle

Miles Richardson

Elizabeth Rider

Lee Rufford

Simone Saunders

Darren Southworth

Jean St Clair

Kiruna Stamell

Simon Startin

Sophie Stone

Emma Thornett

Elizabeth Twells

Aaron Virdee

Tabitha Wady

James Warrior

Orlando Wells

Jasmine White

Jonathan Woolf

Amanda Wright

CHILD ACTORSIsabella ElliottIsobel GilbertCaitlin KupsaEve McLaughlinScarlett ShawHonor SolbeKaiya Withey

MUSICIANSIan Maclean John Morton

John Porter Nigel WaterhouseJohn Watterson

PANTO CHORUSGabriella BeardsleyElla BiggsTyler BostonToni CairnsJamie CharlesEmma ColemanElyse DavisonToni DohertyPaige ElkinEllie FinnertyLucy FretwellAnna HitchcockDanielle HouldsworthCharlotte HoyleOlivia NevilleAbigail OrwinIndia RobertsJodie RossElia SarricchioLeyla Yildirim

WRITERSAndy BarrettMichael FraynNikolai GogolDavid HarrowerJohn HarveyDaniel Hoffmann-Gill

Robin KingslandStephen LoweThomas MiddletonAnthony ShafferKenneth Alan TaylorNick Wood

DIRECTORSMatt AstonAndrew BreakwellFiona Buffini Giles CroftBlanche McIntyreJack McNamaraRoxana SilbertAllie SpencerKenneth Alan Taylor

DESIGNERSHarriet ClarkeOlivia du MonceauBarney GeorgeTi GreenRobert Innes-HopkinsRachael JacksTim MeacockNeil MurrayDorrie ScottRuth SutcliffeJamie Vartan

LIGHTING DESIGNERSSteph BartleMartin CurtisMark JonathanAzusa OnoNick RichingsAlexandra StaffordJason TaylorWill WelchChahine Yavroyan

SOUND DESIGNERSDrew BaumohlJulian ButlerMartin CurtisGeorge DennisAdam P McCready Max and Ben Ringham

COMPOSERS/ MUSICAL DIRECTORSJulian ButlerJonathan GirlingAdam P McCreadyJohn Morton Jon Nicholls

AV/VIDEO/ PROJECTION DESIGNERS Timothy BirdWill SimpsonSimon Wainwright

CHOREOGRAPHERS / MOVEMENT DIRECTORSEmma AnnettsAmanda HallAdele Parry Ayse TashkiranCydney Uffindell-Philips

FIGHT DIRECTORSAlison de BurghPhilip D’Orléans

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORSEwan Marshall

ASSISTANT DIRECTORSMilli BhatiaNatasha HymanJustine SharpAdele Parry

VOICE COACHESKat HicksStephen Kemble

COSTUME SUPERVISORSAlison Cartledge

CASTING DIRECTORSLucy Jenkins CDGPolly Jerrold Sooki McShane CDG

ASSOCIATE ARTISTSAndrew BreakwellGareth MorganFifth WordMouthy Poets

CHAPERONESJanet BarnesSharon BarrAngela BeereKaren BroughtonLucille DenkinsonJennifer HindJana KingsleyJayne KirkhamNicola KirkhamMichelle LeekJanet PavierKayleigh PhillipsKelly Watson

CAST AND CREATIVES 2016-17

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSEWELLINGTON CIRCUSNOTTINGHAMNG1 5AF

BOX OFFICE 0115 941 9419NOTTINGHAMPLAYHOUSE.CO.UK

Cover image credits: Touched and The Revenger’s Tragedy, Robert Day.

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