2024-05-31-accounts

Chairperson's Report

I am incredibly proud to have served as chair of BOS Musical Theatre Group for the past two years, witnessing our accomplishments post-COVID. We've produced five shows: the concert "Step in Time," "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," "My Fair Lady," "The Addams Family," and "Big Fish," all of which have been hugely successful. The reviews have been fantastic, often comparing us to professional productions, and we hope we have thoroughly entertained our audiences.

We are especially proud that "The Addams Family" was nominated for Best Musical in District 5 at the NODA awards, though we missed out on the win this year. Congratulations to Grantham for their production of "Me and My Girl."

A huge thank you to the production teams who dedicate countless hours and manage the stress of producing full-scale musicals to the high standards we expect at BOS. From the directors to the backstage crew, chaperones, marketing team, wardrobe, set builders, and everyone in between, your support is invaluable. It's a remarkable achievement that we haven't made a loss on a single show in the past two years, thanks to generous sponsorships, grant applications, and tireless fundraising efforts. As always we are encouraging people to step up to take on roles within the production team and welcome people to shadow or assist to build their experience. It is vital to the longevity of the society.

Special thanks to Boston Big Local, which has supported many of our shows, including "My Fair Lady," and Datacom Cabling, which sponsored "The Addams Family." Thank you to everyone who sponsors program ads, donates raffle prizes, donates or self-funds props and costumes, and for support in many other ways. Your efforts in fundraising activities like competitions, fun days, discos, gin nights, and more has been crucial to our success.

Blackfriars Theatre has faced increasing costs, particularly their energy bill, and has been open about their challenges in offering the same level of discounts as before. Blackfriars charges have been raised in the past year which has impacted our show budgets, particularly for “Big Fish”. The production team had to work creatively and cautiously to cut back costs wherever they could to compensate. We are committed to working with Blackfriars, which we see as the home of BOS, to ensure the future success of both BOS and Blackfriars. Other societies are unable to afford their local theatres and are reverting to performing in local halls. We must give credit to their determination to build themselves back up and for continuing to bring theatre to their local communities, however BOS does not want to be in the same position.

The membership of BOS is thriving. While we can’t predict the future when shows are voted on at the AGM, for 2023/2024, the membership definitely got it right. We had casts of 25 up to 38 for "My Fair Lady," "The Addams Family," and "Big Fish," showing that our members voted for shows that people want to do. We are thrilled to have such a diverse society with a wide range of ages and, finally, a strong group of male performers just in time for "Guys and Dolls!" It's wonderful to see the future generation of performers joining us and reassures us that BOS has a bright future.

We are relieved to report that, many years since the membership vote, we now have a final draft of our CIO constitution ready to send to the Charities Commission. Our current organisational charity structure places the financial liability of the society on three appointed trustees. Although we are in a healthy position, this risk and responsibility is understandably burdensome and unfair to place upon any of our members or committee. Therefore, our membership voted for us to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which removes the financial responsibility from the trustees.

To achieve this, the committee had to rewrite our charitable constitution. The committee has worked tirelessly over the past year, producing multiple drafts and engaging in long debates and discussions. We now have a final draft. I must extend a special thank you to Stephen Brown and Josh Harwood for leading this project. A copy of the new constitution is available upon request via email.

In other news, David Nickols has verbally agreed for us to continue using the chicken shed, for storage of our set, long term. We plan to invest in the shed this year to ensure longevity, particularly by repairing the leaky roof. We are incredibly grateful to David for his long-term support of the society and for looking after NODA for us when they visit. Thanks to Christian Slingsby for leading the project to clear out and reorganise the shed and to all who helped. More workdays will be planned. Thank you also to Christian and Rachel for dedicating a whole room in their new home to house BOS costumes. Rachael’s dedication and skill in building up a costume store will save BOS money in the long run with many items of wardrobe already making multiple appearances.

Many of you knew John Sabberton, who sadly passed away in November 2022. John joined BOS with the crew of "HMS Pinafore" in 2004 and became a regular performer, treasurer, chairman, and eventually our Life-President. John was extremely generous, donating his time and resources to the society, bailing us out of losses and sponsoring things out of reach such as the orchestra for "Sunset Boulevard." We are incredibly grateful for all John did for our society and his continued support since his passing. He left us the extraordinary amount of £25,000. The committee is considering how to use this money to leave a legacy for John, and have discussed the possibility of setting up a foundation in his name to provide grants for our members' theatrical endeavours and training. We are still very much discussing ideas and welcome other thoughts and suggestions from our membership via email.

I would like to take time to remember our beloved member and vice-chair, Mark Parkin, who passed away earlier this year. It is poignant to sit here this evening on the night he would have become our chairman. Let's take a moment to remember his wonderful spirit, sense of community, friendship, and his memorable performances on stage. Mark was a talent on stage and a dedicated committee member, who organised many social events and was always there to lend a hand whether that was at the shed, set building or the clean-up at the end of the after show party. "Big Fish" rehearsals were incredibly difficult for us all, and I thank each cast member for supporting one another through such a challenging time. I want to extend my gratitude to the production team for their unwavering commitment and perseverance during such a difficult time. You led a wonderful show which Mark would have been incredibly proud of. The dedication, hard work, and unity made "Big Fish" a poignant and memorable production that we will all hold dear. We continue to send all our love to Mark’s family.

Three valued members of our committee are stepping down, and I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to them. Firstly, thank you to Lou Garwood, who has been deeply involved with the society since she joined. Lou has supported us with marketing, often being the one behind the camera capturing our best moments. She has been present at every get-in and was a big help sorting the chicken sheds, despite taking a wooden plank to the head – sorry Lou! We will miss her valued contributions, but we completely understand her reasons for stepping down. We hope Lou continues to be a member of BOS and treads the boards for many years to come.

I would now like to thank Stephen Brown. Stephen has been a member of our committee for over 10 years, including a tenure as chair, which was not without its challenges. Although he hasn’t graced the stage in recent years (his rendition of "Big Bad Man" in "The Full Monty" remains one of my favourite performances!), he has continued to contribute significantly to the society's operations as

a committee member. His input has been incredibly valuable, from pushing the CIO initiative to being the dependable person who puts up banners on the Blackfriars A-Frame. Thank you, Stephen, for your incredible support and dedication; you will be missed by the committee.

Finally, I must thank Jenny Cartwright, who is stepping down from her role as secretary and from the committee. Jenny is our longest-serving official, having been our secretary for the past 13 years, so I think she has earned a well-deserved break. Jenny also took on the chairman role during arguably our most challenging period, guiding us through the hurdles of the COVID pandemic, which we overcame more swiftly than many other societies. It has been lovely to see Jenny return to the stage in recent years, playing roles such as Elsa in "The Sound of Music," April in "Company," and Jolene in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." She has also stepped into the role of director, producing "My Fair Lady" and "Big Fish," both of which received rave reviews. Many won’t realise the admin work that goes on behind the scenes, including minute-taking, correspondence, NODA invitations, admin for auditions and offers, AGM preparation, and much more. We are incredibly grateful to Jenny for her years of service and hope that by stepping back, she can lighten her incredibly busy plate.

Finally, I wish all the best to the next production team, who are in the midst of planning for the first rehearsal of "Guys and Dolls." I know we all can’t wait to get started!

Profit and Loss

BOS Musical Theatrical Group For the year ended 31 May 2024

Profit and Loss BOS Musical Theatrical Group For the year ended 31 May 2024
	ADDAMS FAMILY - OCT 23	BIG FISH - APR 24	UNASSIGNED	TOTAL
Turnover
Advertising income	440	470	-	910
Book deposits	-	160	-	160
Donations - eligible for gift aid	130	155	863	1,148
Donations - not eligible for gift aid	-	-	25,051	25,051
Fundraising	1,057	754	-	1,811
Gift aid	32	39	216	287
Interest	-	-	2	2
Interest received	-	-	208	208
Membership fees	-	-	1,066	1,066
Show income	9,939	4,588	-	14,527
Sponsorship	500	-	-	500
Stage fees	225	700	-	925
Total Turnover	12,323	6,865	27,406	46,594
Gross Profit	12,323	6,865	27,406	46,594
Administrative Costs
Accountancy	-	-	99	99
Advertising	178	74	-	252
Band/orchestra	1,850	-	-	1,850
Computer costs	-	-	86	86
Costumes	682	861	-	1,543
Depreciation	-	-	52	52
Direct debit fees	-	-	14	14
Fundraising costs	237	300	-	537
Insurance	-	-	315	315
Licence fees	3,384	3,263	-	6,646
Music - other	50	-	-	50
Printing	101	73	-	174
Props	292	584	-	876
Room hire	1,260	1,134	-	2,394
Set	1,710	152	-	1,862
Subscriptions	-	-	230	230
Sumup fees	11	10	30	51
Sundry	-	58	99	157
Total Administrative Costs	9,755	6,509	926	17,190
Operating Profit	2,568	356	26,481	29,405
Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation	2,568	356	26,481	29,405
Profit after Taxation	2,568	356	26,481	29,405

Profit and Loss BOS Musical Theatrical Group

26 Jun 2024 Page 1 of 1

Balance Sheet

BOS Musical Theatrical Group As at 31 May 2024

Balance Sheet BOS Musical Theatrical Group As at 31 May 2024	Balance Sheet BOS Musical Theatrical Group As at 31 May 2024
31 MAY 2024
Fixed Assets
	Tangible Assets
	Fixed asset - cost 2,573
	Fixed assets - accumulated depreciation (2,541)
	Total Tangible Assets 32
Total Fixed Assets 32 Current Assets
	Cash at bank and in hand
	32 day notice account 50,208
	Cash Account 151
	Current account 3,761
	Total Cash at bank and in hand 54,121
	Debtors 3,839
	Gift aid control account 287
	Prepayments 380
Total Current Assets 58,627 Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year
Creditors 27
Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 27
Net Current Assets (Liabilities) 58,599
Total Assets less Current Liabilities 58,632
Net Assets 58,632 Capital and Reserves
Current Year Earnings 29,760
Retained Earnings 28,872
Total Capital and Reserves 58,632

26 Jun 2024 Page 1 of 1

Balance Sheet BOS Musical Theatrical Group

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examinerfs Report Report to the trusteesl members of r￿￿1 LfrL Trieftii G-£OLLf On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) 31 JJJ )-K+ 10è04GI- Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31 0¥ 204 Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the AGt'). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have Gompleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect" accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: ILLLe 1 NJ Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: @DST ee￿ A-T IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts" directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detsils of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018