CompaDy r¢8isttation nun)beT.' 4122413 Charity registration numbeT= 1091498 Midland Actors Theatre (A ¢OlnPAny limilcd by 8uaran¢¢c) Annual Report and Financial s￿￿Men(s foT the Year Ended 31 Marcb 2025 *AEHP4HPV* 1811212025 COMPANIES HOUSE A18 #147 Bissell & Broivn Birmingbam Ltd Cbartcred A¢¢ouDthnts 12 Portman Rd Bimiingham B130SL Midland Actors Theatre Contents Reference aod Administrntive Iktails Trusoes, Report 2￿4 Independent ExamiDeVs Report Sialement of Financial Activitics Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statemenis 8t012 Midland Actors T.heatre Referenee and Administrative Details Trustees Jott Treiior Maretha Wallace Yi Atth Kok Gillian Adamso George Pearce 1091498 Clharlty keglstradoh Number Company Reglstr*¢lon Number 4322413 The charity is incorpornted m England & Wales. 25 Menishaw Rd NorthSeld Binningham B313SL Regi$¢ered Otfiee Independent Examiner bisseu & Brown Binningham Ltd Chartered Aecounlants 12 Portmall Rd 8irn)iDgha B130SL Pag¢ I Midland Actors Theatre Trusteesl Report The irustees, ikho are directo￿ for the pU￿OSeS of company laiv. preseni the annual report together with the financial statem¢nts and auditOTS' report of the chariuble company for thc y¢ar ended 31 March 2025. Objectlvts And.attivStles Objecis and aims To adtrance education for the public benefii by the promotion of the arts. in particular but not ¢xelusii'ely, the art of dramts. ObJÉellves $iraiegles éctlviiles In 2024-5. the company has continued its work in different fields. including ¢Dding One National IA>ttery Herilage-hmded project, and begi1￿1￿￿. one. tn th¢s¢ proj¢¢ts, we are woTkmgi will) ¥roups based in scbools.in differeni parts of the re8iOIt. The Spitfire Over the Midlands PTtsjQCt culminated in the IAunGh of a fiirn, incorporatin¥ interviews, drAma scenes, and records of eTrents. The l&ullcb look placc at the Henry Sandon Hall in October 2024, with young people dr¢s8ed in costume as people from WWII, Our la¢est NLHF projcci is tèllcd "Fellowship with Nature": The Arboretum and Gardcns Movcmcnt. We are Ivorking with fivc schools in the Midlaods. In each school, participants thke part in a rdngc of activities iticludin8'. learnLn8 aboui the history of the 8arderLS mov¢ment.' r¢scarGliing a local g&iécttlsitc- crcaiiii8 VISU81 materials, films, drama, etc. We have secured a grant of £48,712 for the PTOJCCt. We have c4)ntinued to work oll a new play project with a ¢¢am of ttwcc writers, and with input by practitioner #nd artists. The projec( is funded by 4 grani from Arts Council Englaod. We arc hoping to stsge a production of the play in 2026-7, MAT has a150 continiied ivork in educational colltexis, 8Dd hosted the 4th aJll)val Dnrrjihy H¢.Hihcnte Nnw conference at Goldsrniih5. IxtrDdon, in November 2024. A special edition of the journal Dram8 Research. arisin8 from the confcreiice. was published in 2025. We can celebrate 8 SUCtessfv] year. especially ID educational work. wkn'th bas raised our PTofile 8s 8 company, both nèiionally and internation811y. Public benef The tsustees confm tb3t they bave complied with the reqiiwements oe se¢rioD 17 of the Charilies Act 201 I to have due regard to thc public benefit 8uidance publishcd by tht Chariry Commission for En8l&nd tsnd Walts. Trustees and officers The ￿Ste¢S and otljL#r5 sef41ing during the year aud sinL# th¢ year ¢nd were as folloivs: Page 2 Midland Actors Theatre Trustees, Report Trus￿¢9. Jon Trevor Maretha Wallace Yi Ann Kok G?Ilian-Adanisétl. George Pearce Zak Hamzt (Resigned 16 November 2025) Joanne Thackwruy (reyigned 16 November 2025) Tona Towlcr Evans (resiBn¢d 16 NovcnibeT 2025) Siructiire? governance and m*Dg%emeD¢ Nalure ofgoveriiin8 doLumen¢ M¢morandum and Articles of Assoc8tiOll , lllcorp0ra￿d 14th Novcrnber 2001. as amended by special resolution dated 18th September 2002. The company was re8lStered bs • charity on 2nd April 2002. Recruilmertl dnd appointmeni oftrustées Trustees retire by rotation every three years and arc cligiblc for rtrappointment. Stgtemen¢ of trustees, respnnsibilities The trustees (who are also the direciors of Midland Aciors Theatre for the purposes of company law) ar¢ responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the fmancial s18l¢ment5 in ac¢ord#n¢e ￿7th applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Stsndards (United Killgdom Gcnerdlly Accepied Accounting Praciice), in¢luding FRS 102 "The Finan¢iJl Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Irelond Company law requires ibe trustees to prepare financial state.ments for each fu]aocial year. unde.r company law the irustecs ftiust noi aPPTove the financial Statemen￿ unless ihey are satisfied that they.give a.INe.and fair view of the state of aftairs ot the charitable compAny and ot the incoming resources and application of rcsources, illcludirt¥ its income and expenditure, of tl)e charitable company for ihAI period. In preparin¥ ihese financial .staiem¢Dts. the tti]stees are required to.. select SUAtable accountin8 policies and apply them consistently? obsenpe the rncttrLod5 and principles iti the Charities SORP; make jiidgements and esiirnates that are reasonable and prudent; State whether applicable accounliD8 siaodards. comprising FRS .J02 have been tollowed. subject lo atLy material d¢p&rturcs disclosed alld explained io the fin￿1￿1 stalernents: and prepare the fmall¢ial statements on the going coucern ba515 unless it is inappropriai¢ to presume thai the charithble CoMpa￿Y will contitiue in business. The trustees are responsible for kecpiog proper accounting records thai can disclose with reasonable accuracy ai any lime the financial posltion of Ihe Charitable company and enable ihem io ensure thai the financial staiements cornply with the Compamcs ALrt 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking rea50Dable steps (or the prevenlion and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The trustees ￿.¢ responsibl¢ for the maintenance and if)legrity of the corpornte and f￿all¢la1 iThformaiion iticluded on the cbaritable company's *tbsite. Legislatioll governing the .preparation and .dissemination of fiBallcial staltmerlts may differ frorn Icgislaiion in other jurisdictions. Pag¢ 3 Midland Actors Theatre Trustees, Report Disclosure of InforrnatloD to Audltor Each trustee token gieps that they oughi to bave tsken a trustee ill order to D)ake (bemselve5 aware of any relevani audit infonn8tion aDd to establish that the charity's auditor is aw?re of that infonnation. The tTusiees confinn that ihcre is.no TdevAnt informa(ion. thaLthey know of.and of which ihey.know the auditor is unaware. The annual r ort was approved by the In￿te¢S of the charity on . Signed on its behalf by: vor Pag¢ 4 Midland Actors Theatre Independent Examlner'$ Report to the trustees of Midland Actors Theatre ('the CompAny') I report to tbe CI￿ltY tntslees on my examination of the aceounts of the Compaoy for the yeaT ¢uded 31 Mar¢h 2025. Responslbllltles and b*$1$ of report As tbe chanty's trustees ot the Company (and also its direutors tor tbe PL￿pose$ Ot, Lompany law) you are TcspoDsiblc for the prcparatioD of the accounts in accordancc Kvith the requiremenLS of th¢ CompAllies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act.). Havin8 54tisfi¢d mys¢lf that the accounts of ihe Compally are not required to be audited ulld¢r Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examinarion, I report in respcei of my examination of your charity's accounts a5 Carried out under Section 145 of the Chariiies Act 2011 {'the 2011 Act,). In carrying oui my txaminaiion I have followed the Direciions ¥iven by ihe Cbarity Commission Under section 145(5)(b) of the 201 J Act. IndeptDdeDt.examintr's #t*éemÈnt I havc cornpleted my exomillation. l ¢QAfirm thai no tnatters havc com¢ w my attentioD in connectiou with the cxamin&tion giving me cause to b¢li¢vc'. l. aceouniing records iyere not kept ill respect of MidlaDd Actors The•tre as required by 8ection 386 of the 2006 ALI; or 2. the #ccounts do Dot 8ccotd with those records., or 3. thc acLOiUlts do tsol comply with tlie accounting requirernenls of se¢tiOD 396 ot th¢ 2006 Aci other ihan ally r¢quircm¥ni thai thc accounts %iv¢ a 'twt and fair iryeiv, Ivbich is noi a matter Lonsidered as part of an indepertdeni cxamination; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance wilh the meihods and prin¢iple$ of the Statement of Recommendcd Praclicc for a¢counting and reporting by charities [*ppli¢able ￿ ¢h4rilie$ preparing theit ac¢ouniS in a¢¢ordon¢¢ with the Fin8ncial R¢portin¥ Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Irelond (FRS 102)]. I have no concerns alld bAve come 4cross no other Matters in conncciion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in (his repoTt in order w enable a proper understanding of the accounts io be reAched. B J Manhews FCA Chartered A¢couDtants Bisscll & Bl'own Birmingham Ltd 12 Portman Rd Birmill¥bam B13 OSL Date.. Page 5 Midland Actors Theatre Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains And Losses) Total 2025 Totsl 2024 Unrestrltted Regtrltted Note Ineo)ne ahd Endowments from: Ch 15,613 RestrlLied funds HeriLqge Lot¢ery Fund Ans Council 28,497 (20.343) (9,382 8,154 9,382 TofaFrestrieted funds 9,382 28,497 (.29,725 8,154 Total fundg 26.586 43.177 23,767 Pagell Midland Actors Theatre Notes lo the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Balgnee At I April 2023 Ihcomlng tesourtes Resources expended Balance At 31 March 2024 Unrestrlcted (IlDd$ Generdl Unrestricted fvnds 24,141 12,915 (19,852) 17,204 Restrlcied Heritage Lottery Fwid Brilisb Council l Erasmus 4 Arts Council Bham Ciry Council 16.562 {16,562) {19.070) (12.373) 7.314 l9,070 21.755 9,382 7,314 Total restrleted funds 26.384 38.317 (55.319 9,382 Total funds 50.525 51,232 75,171 26,586 Page J2 ## **MIDLAND ACTORS THEATRE** - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 4 5 MAT 25 Merrishaw Road Northfield Birmingham B31 3SL Telephone: 07946 006511 Email: david@midlandactorstheatre.com Website: www.midlandactorstheatre.com `1` ## **MIDLAND ACTORS THEATRE** - A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 2 4 5 ## T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S |**1**|**Introduction**|**3**| |---|---|---| |**2**|**National Lottery Heritage Fund projects**|**4**| |**3**|**New Play project**|**6**| |**4**|**Dorothy Heathcote Now**|**6**| |**5**|**Second Shepherd’s Play**|**7**| |**6**|**Funding**|**8**| |**Appendices**||| |A|**Artistic Policy**|**8**| |B|**Company Members, 2024-5**|**9**| ``` 2 ``` ## **`1 Introduction`** ``` In 2024-5, the company has continued its work in different fields, including ending one National Lottery Heritage-funded project, and beginning a new one. In these projects, we are working with groups based in schools in different parts of the region. ``` ``` The Spitfire Over the Midlands project culminated in the launch of a film, incorporating interviews, drama scenes, and records of events. The launch took place at the Henry Sandon Hall in October 2024, with young people dressed in costume as people from WWII. ``` ``` Our latest NLHF project is called “Fellowship with Nature”: The Arboretum and Gardens Movement. We are working with five schools in the Midlands. In each school, participants take part in a range of activities including: learning about the history of the gardens movement; researching a local garden/site; creating visual materials, films, drama, etc. We have secured a grant of £48,712 for the project. ``` ``` We have continued to work on a new play project with a team of three writers, and with input by practitioners and artists. The project is funded by a grant from Arts Council England. We are hoping to stage a production of the play in 2026-7. ``` ``` MAT has also continued its work in educational contexts, and hosted the 4[t h] annual Dorothy Heathcote Now conference at Goldsmiths, London, in November 2024. A special edition of the journal Drama Research, arising from the conference, was published in 2025. ``` ``` We can celebrate a successful year, especially in educational work, which has raised our profile as a company, both nationally and internationally. ``` ``` 3 ``` ## **`2 National Lottery Heritage Fund`** ## **`2a`** _**`Spitfire over the Midlands`**_ `In October 2024, we concluded a three-year project funded by NLHF, working with groups of young people in different parts of the Midlands, to look at the impact of the Spitfire plane on people’s lives. The project recruited a total of 175 participants between the ages of 8-20. Groups were based in five school venues: Tudor Grange Worcester; Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell; the Orchard Centre Wolverhampton; Holly Lodge High School College of Science; and Tudor Grange Academy Redditch.` `Participants were involved in: research sessions; training sessions heritage project skills such as research, oral history, filmmaking, drama, music etc; visits to historic sites; filming oral history interviews; creating materials for website, etc. Key outcomes included:` - `A project film,` _`Spitfire Over the Midlands`_ - `A three-day exhibition` - `Oral History interviews` - `Proposals for a future Spitfire Heritage Centre` `The film` _`Spitfire Over the Midlands`_ `, as well as shorter films, are showcased on the project website www.livingmuseums.co.uk. The film includes a record of project activities, short films, oral history interviews, etc. The final version of the` `complete film was given two public screenings at Henry Sandon Hall, Worcester on 23 October 2024. The event was attended by` `4` `Cllr. Matt Lamb, Deputy Mayor, Worcester; local councillors; and military veterans. A shorter version of the film was also shown 8 times as an outside broadcast in Cathedral Square, Worcester, on 8 June 2024, as part of WCC’s programme of events to mark the 80[th] anniversary of D-Day, attracting over 1000 visitors.` `One visitor at the film premiere, Colonel Stamford J. Cartwright, commented: “… what a triumph - l really enjoyed the presentation and the young women and men were simply magnificent. Very well done, what a wonderful project and result. A great evening, a great project, a great film. So very impressed.”` `Students from Tudor Grange Academy and Perdiswell Primary School in Worcester also took part in a D-Day event on 6 June 2024, performing a specially-written poem in the Cathedral Square. The event was part of commemorations organised by Worcester City Council.` ## **`2b`** _**`“Fellowship with Nature”: The Arboretum and Gardens Movement`**_ `Arboretums, botanical gardens and landscaped parks were created in England in the 19th and early 20th centuries, as part of an environmental, educational, social and aesthetic movement, to restore the “fellowship with nature.” We believe that this is an opportune moment to explore the historic roots of the movement, and celebrate its environmental vision.` `5` ``` In this project, we are working with 5 groups of young people, aged 9-18, based in schools in different parts of the Midlands. The schools are: Robert Smyth Academy, Market Harborough; Eden Girls Leadership Academy, Birmingham; Tudor Grange Primary Academy Perdiswell; Tudor Grange Samworth Academy; and Wilson Stuart Special School, Birmingham.Each group will focus on a local arboretum/garden, to raise awareness of its value and role, as a public space for leisure, education, art and science, and for reuniting the human and natural worlds. In each school, participants take part in a range of activities including: learning about the history of the gardens movement; researching a local garden / site; creating visual materials, films, drama, etc. that will be published on the project website; and presenting their work in a final project exhibition ``` ``` The project is funded by a grant from NLHF and is scheduled to last for two years. ``` ## **`3 New Play project`** ``` We have been awarded grants by Arts Council England, and the Sir Barry Jackson Trust, to commission a team of 3 writers - David Calcutt, Zainab Rao and Rajan Sharma - to develop a new play, based on the theme of war. We have also worked with groups of young people at George Dixon Academy, Birmingham; and these workshops have given us an idea for the overall form of the new play, as a kind of “museum,” which will tell the story of a city through years of war, through scenes, film, dance, music, objects, etc. The audience will move though the space, in an immersive experience. ``` ``` We hope to stage a production of the play in 2026-7. ``` ## **`4`** _**`Dorothy Heathcote Now`**_ ``` The Facebook group The Commission Model of Teaching was first launched in July 2020. It features daily posts on Dorothy Hetahclote’s work, and has grown to over 2000+ members. We have been active in other areas, in raising awareness of Dorothy’s work: ``` - `MAT was co-organiser with Goldsmiths University of London of the 4-day` _`Dorothy Heathcote Now`_ `conference in November 2024. 75 delegates attended in person, and another 45` ``` 6 ``` `online. This was the fourth` _`DH Now`_ `conference, and it has now become an annual event.` - `In 2025-5, David has taught two 10-week online courses on Mantle of the Expert, for the Online School of Drama, with participants from around the world including India, Hong Kong and Thailand.` ## **`5 Second Shepherd’s Play`** `MAT was funded by Tudor Grange Academy Trust to work with a group of 12 students from TGA Redditch, to rehearse and perform` _`The Second Shepherd’s Play`_ `, a medieval nativity play. The event was held in the town square (Church Green), Redditch, on December 11 2024. The event received coverage in the` _`Redditch Advertiser`_ `and` _`Redditch Standard`_ `. The aim was to raise awareness of the town’s rich history, and increase young people’s pride in their own heritage and identity.` `Councillor Jane Spilsbury (Matchborough & Woodrow, Redditch Borough Council) stated: “It is great to see young people bringing theatre to the town centre and showcasing their talents.”` `The report in the` _`Redditch Advertiser`_ `quoted MAT Artistic Director, David Allen: "It's been a great setting to do something like this. It feels like we have recovered something from Redditch's heritage. The students have adapted a 700year-old version of the play and made it their own."` `7` ## **`6 Funding`** `In 2024-5, we received funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund, the British Council (Erasmus Plus), Arts Council England, and Baron Davenport’s Trust.` `A full breakdown of income and expenditure can be found in our Financial Statements.` ## **`Appendix A`** _`Artistic Policy`_ `MAT is a “learning theatre” company. We are dedicated to:` - `using drama and theatre as a way to help people learn` - `breaking down the barriers that exist between different communities, cultures and traditions; and encouraging processes of dialogue, exchange, and learning` - `helping disadvantaged groups` `8` - `developing our own understanding and expertise` ``` There are three main strands to our work: ``` - `Theatre productions` - `Education` - `Research and Communication` ## **`Appendix B`** ``` Company Members, 2024-5 ``` ``` Artistic Director David Allen Secretary Maretha Wallace ``` ``` Boardof Directors Gill Adamson Zak Hamza Yi Ann Kok George Pearce Jo Thackwray (Vice-Chair) Iona Towler-Evans Jon Trevor (Chair) Writers David Calcutt Zainab Rao Rajan Sharma Filming Maya Abbott, Roberta Luchini Boschi Designer John Bell Accountant Barry Matthews (Bissell & Brown Ltd.) Historical Consultant Professor Carl Chinn ``` ``` Workshop Facilitators ``` ``` 9 ``` ``` David Allen Roberta Luchini ``` ``` Costume ``` ``` Jo Thackwray ``` ``` Music Josh Herring ``` ``` 10 ```