**Charity Registration No. 1058780**
## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**
## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
|**Trustees**|Ms H Beard|
|---|---|
||Ms L Humpheson|
||Mr G Leak|
||Ms L Greeley|
||Ms E Fort|
||Mr G Dosanjh|
||S Kedia|
||H Pendleton|
|**Charity number**|1058780|
|**Independent examiner**|Bright Grahame Murray|
||Emperor's Gate|
||114a Cromwell Road|
||Kensington|
||London|
||SW7 4AG|
## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 6|
|Independent examiner's report|7|
|Statement of financial activities|8|
|Balance sheet|9|
|Notes to the accounts|10 - 12|
## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 5 April 2024.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity's [governing document], the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The Charity was established by a declaration of trust deed dated 20th September 1996.
The Trustees who served during the year were: Ms H Beard Ms L Humpheson Mr G Leak Ms L Greeley Ms E Fort Mr G Dosanjh S Kedia H Pendleton
## **Amici Trustee and Strategy Meetings**
A major focus for this year has been to ensure the continuity, creativity and financial stability in the organisation and activities of Amici and Young Amici within the context of the fluctuating health of Wolfgang Stange, Artistic Director of Amici. The diverse strategies to address this challenging prospect have been successful. Amici and Young Amici have continued to meet weekly with a stable membership under the creative leadership of Elaine Thomas and Ingrid Molinos Torres together with the support of Amici Associate Artists, longstanding members of Amici and with the much-valued support of Turtle Key Arts. External projects such as the “Dance Together” project in schools have continued and gained additional funding from John Lyons. Young Amici ran a very successful weeklong summer school. Students from Roehampton University and the Royal Academy of Dance were hosted and Amici remains financially secure.
Retrospectively the plans for continuity which were developed across the year of this report will be fundamental to enabling Amici to continue to flourish.
Sadly, we lost a longstanding member of Amici – Katie Barlow – towards the end of this financial year. The Amici family felt her loss deeply. Katie’s family generously, and touchingly, asked the attendees of the funeral to donate to Amici in lieu of flowers. Amici’s board and members remain extremely grateful for this kindness.
Our founder, Wolfgang Stange, was awarded a lifetime achievement award for his work integrating Disabled and non-Disabled performers in a creative space for more than 40 years from Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Council. The award was received on Wolfgang’s behalf by, Amici Member, Roy Peirson. In September 2023, Wolfgang also received an Honorary Doctorate from the dance department at Roehampton University for his pioneering work in integrated / disability arts. Wolfgang wore his graduation robes with pride and was joined in celebration by lots of Amici members who celebrated the achievement with him.
The Strategy Meeting on the 6/12/2023 focused on current and long-term planning for Amici and Young Amici. Due to Wolfgang’s health, a flexible response adjusting to his capacity to teach or not teach continued.
Elaine Thomas as the Interim Tutor and Director of Amici and Lead Tutor when Wolfgang was unable to attend undertook most of the teaching at the regular Wednesday evening Amici classes and the other Amici activities when Wolfgang was unavailable. The newly created roles of Associate Artist supported Elaine [7 people were awarded this title.] As previously planned, a Young Amici graduate or previous placement student regularly assisted with meeting and greeting and administrative tasks at the Wednesday classes such as maintaining the register. Open workshops were planned and joint workshops between Amici and Young Amici were planned once a term.
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
The transition for Young Amici members to Amici was refined and a graduation process put in place and several Young Amici members graduated and joined Amici. A number of other organisational and administrative issues were also reorganised.
There were two additional Amici Trustees meetings across the year together with smaller working groups addressing diverse aspects such as safeguarding and the Young Amici graduation process. Other issues included recruiting new members and setting appropriate and equitable payment arrangements for workshop leaders in their various roles. Equity of opportunities for external workshops for workshop leaders, facilitation of communication between Artistic Directors, Amici Trustees and Turtle Key Arts. Planning for the forthcoming production in October 2025, discussion of how to document the legacy of Amici. Attendance at Lyric Partnership meetings and Turtle Key’s Freelance Manifesto meeting and difficulties in seeking funding for transport costs. Changes in leadership at Hammersmith and Fulham Adult Education, planning of various additional workshops/ collaborations and General funding and financial matters including a separate Young Amici account. Revision of “Magic of Amici” educational pack and the revision and development of Amici and Young Amici website. Gaining a financial projection for next 3 years of activities. Long term planning.
Amici continues to enjoy the creative partnership with Turtle Key Arts who provide enthusiastic and strong practical and creative support for all Amici’s endeavours.
## **Administration**
Turtle Key Arts have continued to act as administrators and the company is very grateful to them for their professionalism and commitment and their practical and creative understanding of AMICI’S particular needs and talents. They have been instrumental in ensuring the growth of AMICI’S educational outreach work and of the continued development of “Young Amici”. As well as this, Turtle Key Arts have continued the development of the talents and skills of the company membership. They have also played a major role in developing a closer relationship with the Lyric. They have identified, fostered and administered many projects in Britain and abroad, including fund raising and they also support company members by their active presence as stage managers, sound technicians, filmmakers and web designers - to name just a few of the many roles they play. A formal contract negotiated by Turtle Key Arts with the Lyric Theatre is in place. As The Lyric has now extended their range of activities to include a number of other groups including music, dance, theatre, acting, and film, each group or company now pays a small fee for room use. This costs is shared between Amici and Young Amici.
## **Risk Response**
The Trustees has assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
## **Objectives and activities**
## Object Codes
Care, welfare and treatment for people with learning disabilities, additional cognitive needs and mental health issues.
Services for disabled and non-disabled people.
Promotion and furtherance of education in and knowledge of the arts and craft of dancing.
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
## Aims and Objectives
To provide stimulating and quality artistic experience for people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties and sensory impairment.
To provide opportunities for people with disabilities to create dance.
To provide opportunities for disabled and able-bodied people to work together in an ensemble company.
To train people with disabilities in skills relating to dance and choreography.
To provide performance opportunities for people with disabilities.
To provide training opportunities for special needs teachers and professional dancers in skills relating to creative work with people with disabilities.
To further AMICI’S artistic development through performance.
To increase public awareness of the high performing ability of its members.
To stress the need to acknowledge and share each other's abilities whether disabled or not.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.
## Activities of the Trust
AMICI meets as a weekly evening class at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, where it is the resident company, by kind permission of Amy Belson, Chief Executive and Rachel O’Riordan, Artistic Director. From time to time Amici presents public performances and open workshops.
## Organisational Activities
Amici’s activities across the first half of this year were focused on fostering the transition from Wolfgang Stange to Elaine Thomas as Interim Artistic Director and principal workshop leader. Elaine’s creativity and confidence in running Amici workshops has consolidated and flourished as demonstrated by the consistent membership of Amici and Amici members participation in various projects.
Amici Trustees and Turtle Key Arts and Wolfgang Stange and Elaine Thomas with participation from Ingrid Molinos Torres as the leader of Young Amici met for a successful strategy meeting on 6/12/2023. Further Amici Trustee meetings took place on 13/9/2023 and 8/11/2023. The transition of some of the responsibilities previously held by Lynne Humpheson to other Amici members continued. However, Lynne still holds a muchappreciated overview of the day-to-day activities of Amici which is greatly appreciated.
Amici Trustees continue to be grateful for the continued support of Turtle Key Arts who contribute much to Amici’s
ventures and activities.
Amici has remained fortunate in continuing to have Shane Aurousseau as resident photographer and George Waud as resident artist.
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
## Activities
Following the success of last years major production of “One World” this has been a quieter year focused more upon internal transitions.
John Lyons generously funded two further years of the “Dance Together “project in schools starting in the spring of 2024. This involved Amici and Young Amici members conducting workshops in local Hammersmith and Fulham SEN schools.
Planning for a possible collaboration between Amici and the British Museum possibly later in 2024.
The initiative to run mixed workshops between Young Amici and Amici each term has developed further and now occurs at least once a term.
Open workshops have been planned. We are aiming for once a term.
Visitors from other Integrated Dance Theatre Companies and students from Roehampton University and the Royal Academy of Dance joined AMICI classes for the experience of working within an integrated setting or as part of their teaching placement.
Planning and the beginning of choreographic exploration of the next Amici production scheduled for October 2025.
## Young Amici
Young AMICI is open to young people aged 11 to 25 years and meets prior to the original Amici class on Wednesday evenings during term time. Like Amici, they meet 30 times a year. Young Amici has continued to flourish creatively, led by the Artistic Director Ingrid Molinos Torres and supported by Turtle Key’s staff. It continues to be successfully funded by John Lyons Charity. Ingrid now attends and contributes to part of Amici Trustees meetings on a regular basis.
In July 2023 Young Amici ran a Summer School with additional support by a grant from Tesco’s from 10-3pm each day for a week. This included workshops in contemporary dance, improvisation, yoga, ballet, meditation, Feldenkrais and drama. It was well attended and highly successful with several young people going on to join Young Amici. Ingid Molinos Torres, Artistic Director of Young Amici, was invited to run a series of workshops at The Place involving Young Amici and Amici members.
These took place in May 2023. John Lyon’s Charity also funded additional Schools Workshops called “Dance Together” Schools. These were led by members of Amici and Young Amici across this year. The aim was to encourage young people to participate in dance/performing arts GCSE/BTEC courses. Young Amici Open workshops were also planned. Further discussions about updating the Young Amici website occurred. Young Amici has mentored and hosted Dance students on placement from Roehampton University and the Royal Academy of Dance and the Place. Further work on the respective roles and communication between Turtle Key Arts staff and Young Amici leadership have occurred. The LEAF process which has established a Graduation process from Young Amici to Amici has been further developed and is now successfully in action with several previous Young Amici members joining Amici and taking up active roles within Amici. This is also assisted by the joint workshops between Young Amici and Amici. Young Amici now has a separate bank account that runs alongside the main accounts at Natwest.
- 4 -
## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
## **Financial review**
## **Financial Developments**
Amici would like to extend their gratitude to those involved in funding Amici’s activities and to Turtle Key Arts in supporting Amici with funding applications. Gratitude is also extended to those involved in successfully gaining Theatre Tax Relief. Additionally, in sad circumstances, a legacy has been promised from the estate of John Kaye a longstanding friend of Amici who sadly passed away the previous year together with valued contributions from the funeral donations from the family of Katie Barlow and of the father of Freya Spencer - an Amici member.
## **Financial review**
The charity has recorded a modest surplus for the period, and continues to retain a sufficient level of reserves to underwrite the initial outlay required for the projects planned in the coming period. The financial position and future commitments are reviewed regularly at board meetings, so that the Trustees can remain confident that an appropriate level of reserves are being retained to continue to deliver to the charity's objectives. A three-year projection of Amici’s financial stability was prepared and discussed with the Trustees.
## **Financial Arrangements**
Amici Company has two bank accounts, both of which it had prior to becoming a Registered Charity. There is a current account and a business reserve account which carries a higher rate of interest. The majority of the company’s funds are held in the business reserve account and moved across when necessary. There are five signatories to the account.
The trustees are particularly grateful to the following Trusts and organisations for their support of the company and its work this year.
John Lyons Trust Arts Council England Hammersmith United Charity Young Hammersmith & Fulham Foundation A number of individuals who have donated to the charity
Fees paid by people who attend the weekly class go to the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham under whose auspices AMICI operates as an Adult Education Class. Fees are also paid to The Lyric for room hire. Amici is grateful for the moderation of both these fees due to the impact of COVID and the shift to virtual meetings.
Insurance Policies
The charity has two insurance policies.
Charity Trustee Assurance which covers professional and financial risks. This is with the Royal and Sun Alliance.
Theatres Combined Insurance for accidental loss or damage with Public and Performer’s Liability. This is with Aviva. The company’s public liability indemnity limit is £ 2,000,000 in line with recommendations from the lyric theatre management.
Both policies are brokered with Wrightsure who have particular expertise in these areas.
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
On behalf of the board of Trustees . . i {> 4 .............................. { ; **Ms H Beard** heyanSCO Trustee 31/1/2025 Dated: .........................
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2024, which are set out on pages 8 to 12.
## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner**
The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- (i) examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
- (ii) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- (iii) to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of independent examiner's report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- (a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- (i) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
- (ii) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act;
- have not been met; or
- (b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Bright Grahame Murray
Emperor's Gate 114a Cromwell Road Kensington London SW7 4AG
Dated: 4 February 2025
- 7 -
## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**Incoming resources from generated funds**
Donations and legacies
**2**
**2,549**
**-**
Merchandise Income
**32**
**-**
Investment income
**3**
**153**
**-**
**2,734**
**-**
Incoming resources from charitable activities
**4**
**25,698**
**50,200**
**Total incoming resources**
**28,432**
**50,200**
**Resources expended**
**Charitable activities**
Theatrical Productions
**-**
**-**
Other Charitable Activities
**-**
**40,263**
**Total charitable expenditure**
**-**
**40,263**
Governance costs
**1,473**
**-**
**Total resources expended**
**1,473**
**40,263**
**Net income/(expenditure) for the year/**
**Net movement in funds**
**26,959**
**9,937**
Fund balances at 6 April 2023
**49,538**
**-**
**Fund balances at 5 April 2024**
**76,497**
**9,937**|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**2,549**
**32**
**153**
**2,734**
**75,898**
**78,632**
**-**
**40,263**
**40,263**
**1,473**
**41,736**
**36,896**
**49,538**
**86,434**|Total
2023
£
14,524
2,557
50
17,131
75,128
92,259
105,996
-
105,996
1,200
107,196
(14,937)
64,476
49,539|
|---|---|---|
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## _**AS AT 5 APRIL 2024**_
|||**2024**||2023||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|£|£|
|**Current assets**||||||
|Debtors|**8**|**12,579**||-||
|Cash at bank and in hand||**74,505**||67,084||
|||**87,084**||67,084||
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within**||||||
|**one year**|**9**|**(650)**||(17,545)||
|**Total assets less current liabilities**|||**86,434**||49,539|
|**Income funds**||||||
|Restricted funds|||**9,937**||8,186|
|Unrestricted funds|||**76,497**||41,353|
||||**86,434**||49,539|
The accounts were approved by the Trustees on ......................... . . i {> 4 .............................. Ms H Beard { ; Daye SCO **Trustee**
- 9 -
## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **1.1 Basis of preparation**
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities", issued in March 2005 and the Charities Act 2011.
## **2 Donations and legacies**
|Donations and gifts
**Donations and gifts**
Unrestricted funds:
Amici Sponsorship and Donations|**2024**
**£**
**2,549**
2,549
**2,549**|2023
£
14,524|
|---|---|---|
|||14,524|
|||14,524|
## **3 Investment income**
||**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Interest receivable|**153**|50|
## **4 Incoming resources from charitable activities**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
Local Authority and Other Funding
**5,917**
**50,200**
Other Income (Theatre Tax Rebate)
**19,572**
**-**
Gift Aid
**209**
**-**
**25,698**
**50,200**|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
**56,117**
**19,572**
**209**
**75,898**|Total
2023
£
65,972
4,551
4,605|
|---|---|---|
|||75,128|
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
## **4 Incoming resources from charitable activities**
## **(Continued)**
|Included within income relating to Local Authority and Other Funding are the following grants and|Included within income relating to Local Authority and Other Funding are the following grants and|donations|
|---|---|---|
|Membership fees|3,530|4,472|
|Performance fees|2,387|6,100|
|Other income|-|1,000|
|John Lyons Charity (Young Amici)|24,000|20,500|
|Production Income (Arts Council England)|-|17,500|
|John Lyons Charity (Dance Together: School)|15,000|12,400|
|Young Hammersmith & Fulham Foundation|5,000|1,000|
|Hammersmith United|1,200|3,000|
|Groundwork UK|5,000|-|
||**56,117**|65,972|
## **5 Governance costs**
|Other governance costs comprise:
Accounting Fees
Other costs|**2024**
**£**
650
823
**1,473**|2023
£
1,200
-|
|---|---|---|
|||1,200|
## **6 Trustees**
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, nor were any of them reimbursed expenses.
## **7 Employees**
There were no employees during the year.
|**8**|**Debtors**|**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
||Other debtors|**12,579**|-|
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## **AMICI DANCE THEATRE COMPANY**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2024**_
|**9**|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
||Accruals|**650**|17,545|
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