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.
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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.
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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?
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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
12 13Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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.
14 15Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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…
17 2016/17 Annual Review
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
18 19Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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
20 21Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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
22 23Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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
24 Nottingham Playhouse
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.
29 2016/17 Annual Review
PARTICIPATION
28 Nottingham Playhouse
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:
30 31Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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.
32 33Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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
34 35Nottingham Playhouse 2016/17 Annual Review
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