celebratingover two centuries of theatre

225 50 10

1788 1963 2003T R I P L E

A N N I V E R S A R YA P P E A L 2 0 1 3

… is a unique year in the continuing life of a unique Theatre.Built in 1788, the Georgian Theatre Royal celebrates three significant anniversaries in 2013 and we are seeking your help to sustain this historically important gem.

The Georgian Theatre Royal is an exquisite venue that combines heritage, live performance and education and appeals to all ages. Your support will help to secure the future of this remarkable resource and allow it to progress and realise its plans.

1788 225 years ago… …in May 1788 Samuel Butler signed a lease for 21 years and built the Theatre which opened on Tuesday 2 September 1788. This followed the passing of the Licensing Act which gave local justices the right to license theatrical performances.

2003 10 years ago… …a fully restored Theatre opened in September 2003. A substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund allowed the Theatre to be returned to its original beauty. The Theatre had been closed for a year to provide facilities such as the modern bars and lift.

1963 50 years ago… …the Theatre re-opened in May 1963 with Dame Edith Evans and Dame Sybil Thorndike. The building had been closed in 1848 but despite being used as an auction house and a wine store it retained its basic structure.

2013

For such a small organisation the georgian Theatre royal has achieved a huge amount in relation to its size. We really are Small but Mighty. The Georgian is run by a dedicated staff team and over 120 volunteers who keep the Theatre’s heart beating with their energy and enthusiasm.

Taking Pride in our Achievements

“If you have never seen the Georgian Theatre Royal Youth Theatre perform then look out for their next production, you will not be disappointed.” The Teesdale Mercury

The georgian Theatre royal was a founder member of The association of Historic Theatres in europe. The members of this association form an outstanding part of European cultural heritage and we are proud to be associated with other prestigious venues in Europe. The theatre is open to visitors on most days and attracts tourists from around the world.

The Theatre was awarded royal Patronage in 2006 by TrHs The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall following their visit to the Theatre. We are delighted that they have recently decided to continue their patronage of the Georgian.

The georgian youth Theatre has developed brilliantly over the last 20 years. It is now attended by 180 young people from Richmond and the surrounding area each week. Classes focus on all aspects of Theatre craft and all students perform on the Theatre stage. Their performances have built up a substantial following.

“The Georgian Theatre Royal at Richmond. A treasure. Quite remarkable. Beautiful in every degree, and long may it flourish. It should be listed as one of the wonders of the world.Peter Davison”

“This is the best panto I’ve seen in a long time, I loved every minute and there’s no need to borrow a child to go and see this production: take the child within, you’ll have a great time. Oh yes you will !” The British Theatre Guide on ‘Mother Goose’ 2010

“..they have, if anything, taken pantomime forward and shown how the genre can be developed. Their show is wildly, ceaselessly entertaining but, most importantly, a thing of considerable beauty.” The Stage on ‘The Adventures of Sinbad’ 2011

“A fast paced script, brilliantly directed with great music and a smattering of audience participation make for an exceptional night out… This is not a show that uses extravagant sets, transformation scenes and pyrotechnics to engage the audience, it relies instead on humour, craft, love, warmth and excellent music.” The Yorkshire Post on ‘Babes in the Wood’ 2012

In 2004 the Theatre won the royal Institution of Chartered surveyors Building Conservation award, which is a mark of the quality of the building as it is now.

all of these outstanding achievements are only possible as a result of volunteer and staff commitment but the Theatre has also depended on the personal generosity of sponsors.

Licensed for on stage civil marriages and services, the Theatre offers a stunning and unusual venue for weddings. Over the years these have increased in popularity and the income from weddings helps to support our mainstream work.

on the stage the georgian Theatre royal is mainly a receiving venue but for the last three years the Theatre has produced its own professional pantomime. These have received great responses from audiences and Theatre critics alike.

The georgian Theatre royal has demonstrated its ability to delight, motivate and excite all age groups through a variety of activities, most recently through the expansion of its work with young people. Not only is our Youth Theatre thriving but 2013 sees the launch of a brand new scheme to encourage more 16-25 year olds to use the Georgian. We are passionate about inspiring the next generation.

During 2012 the Theatre developed exciting plans for a Learning Centre that will provide a remarkable opportunity for people of all ages to increase their knowledge, awareness and appreciation of theatre in the Georgian period and its social, geographical and historical context. We were delighted to receive support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the first stage of this major project. Despite the exciting future that the Learning Centre will potentially open up we still need your support.

Everyone is aware that this is currently a challenging time for Arts organisations. This is particularly so for the remarkable Georgian Theatre Royal which in addition to its artistic programme makes a major contribution to tourism, young people and the wider community.

The Triple Anniversary Appeal will support all our activities and allow us to continue to conserve, educate and entertain. You can be certain that every penny donated to the Theatre through this appeal will enable this extraordinary Theatre to survive and flourish.

Thank you for your supportMalcolm Bryant

A Message from our Chairman

The Georgian Theatre Royal Victoria Road

Richmond North Yorkshire

DL10 4DW

www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk

The Georgian Theatre Trust LtdRegistered Charity No 247 005

Georgian Theatre Productions LtdRegistered Charity No 241 921

Malcolm Bryant, Chairman of the Board (left) and Warnock Kerr, Chief Executive (right).

How you can helpTo achieve our dream of becoming an historic theatre of the future we need your financial support. The Theatre is facing a very difficult revenue situation and without the generous support of individuals the Theatre will not continue to sustain the wide variety of activities that make it so very special.

This triple anniversary year we would like to achieve:

Other ways to support usLegaciesA lasting gift to the Georgian Theatre Royal is a perfect way to Commemorate your support for the Theatre and will ensure you are remembered by the performers and audiences of the future.

Join the FriendsThe Friends of the Georgian Theatre Royal is a group established to encourage fundraising in support of the Theatre. Friends enjoy exclusive benefits including priority booking, quarterly newsletters and ticket discounts on selected shows. The Friends email: gtrfriends@gmail.com

Just Text GivingThe Theatre would also gratefully receive donations of any amount to help us in this challenging period. You can now donate via text message and the Georgian Theatre Royal will receive every single penny that you send. Simply text: TGTR01 £5 / £10 / £25 to 70070

THank you For your suPPorT

1788

20031963

225 50 10

1788 1963 2003T R I P L E

A N N I V E R S A R YA P P E A L 2 0 1 3

10 donations

of £10,000

50 donations of £225

225 donations of £50

“The Georgian Theatre Royal is so wonderful I can hardly stop talking about it… everyone should come and see it.”

Jonathan DimblebyBBC ‘Any Questions?’ 2009

225 50 10

1788 1963 2003T R I P L E

A N N I V E R S A R YA P P E A L 2 0 1 3

Donation FormThank you for supporting the Georgian Theatre Royal

Please use this form to make your donation. Simply tear this page out and send it to: The Georgian Theatre Royal, Victoria Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4DW or e-mail it to: finance@georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk

Amount in words: ______________________________

Please attach a cheque made payable to: The georgian Theatre royal or enter your card details below.

Card Type: Visa/ Mastercard/ Switch/ Other __________________ (delete as appropriate)

Card Number:

Card Security Code (CSC):

Expiry Date: Start Date:

Issue Number (Switch only):

Signature: ______________________________________

Date: ____________________________________________

Title: ______________ Initial(s): __________________

Surname: _______________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

___________________________________________________

_________________________ Postcode: _____________

Country: ________________________________________

Telephone Number: ____________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________

I am happy for my donation to be recognised publicly.

We may wish to send you further information about The Georgian Theatre Royal. If you don’t wish to receive this please tick this box.

GIFT AID MAkES EVERY £1 WORTH AT LEAST £1.25

I am a Uk Tax Payer and would like the Georgian Theatre to reclaim the tax on all qualifying donations I have made as well as any future donations until I notify them otherwise.

Please tick: Yes No

To qualify for Gift Aid, I understand that I must have paid Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax for the current tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount of tax that all the charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gift aid donations for the current tax year.

I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not qualify. I understand the charity will reclaim 25p of tax on every £1 that I have given.

Please notify the Georgian Theatre Royal if you:

• Want to cancel this declaration

• Change your name or home address

• No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains

If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rate and want to receive the additional tax relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self Assessment tax return or ask HM Revenue and Customs to adjust your tax code.

Thank you for your donation

Photo credits: Cover: Cloud 9 Photography; Page 5: Right Click Studios

I would like to make a donation of: £