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← S&N Theatre Company

2023-08-31-accounts

Charity registration number 1144790

Company registration number 07479300 (England and Wales)

S&N THEATRE COMPANY

T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees T R Fowler J Fielder H Bovey Charity number 1144790 Company number 07479300 Registered office Austin House 43 Poole Road Bournemouth Dorset England BH4 9DN Independent examiner Rowlands Webster Limited Austin House 43 Poole Road Bournemouth Dorset England BH4 9DN

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE CONTENTS

Page
Trustrees' report 1 - 5
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the financial statements 8- 15

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE TRUSTREES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2023. A shortened period to align the company year end in line with the annual delivery cycle of the charity. This means that the comparative amounts presented in the financial statements are not entirely comparable.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

To advance education for the public benefit by the promotion of the arts, in particular but not exclusively the art of theatre.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.

Achievements and Performance

About us

S&N Theatre (known as Stuff and Nonsense) make inspiring theatre shows with puppets that have a strong physical & visual style. We collaborate with children in the creation of our shows, families see them in towns and cities across the UK where we also teach, lead workshops, and give schools resources. We are experts in working with children with SEND. Our aim is to connect children and adults through play, as a legacy of experiencing high quality theatre. We engage with around 250 children during the process of making a new show and then tour our high quality professional shows.

Based at The Lyric Theatre, Bridport, S&N is one of four @HOME Associate Artists at The Point, Eastleigh and has significant producing partnerships with Theatre Royal Plymouth, The Octagon, Yeovil and The Lighthouse, Poole.

We:

Our values:

These are the core beliefs that guide our actions, unite our team and define our brand.

  1. Children are at the heart of everything we do

  2. We are respectful and kind to everyone we work with

  3. We embrace uncertainty and risk

  4. Leadership is about good communication

  5. Resilience is necessary for creative freedom

  6. Collaboration is exciting

  7. 1 -

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE TRUSTREES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Our work in this financial period

This is a shortened year for Stuff & Nonsense as we decided to change our financial year-end to better meet the demands of the company and the rhythm of the touring seasons.

Although it has been a 5-month period, we have remained busy with our touring and development of our new show The Three Little Pigs. We have toured The Little Red Hen to 5 venues with 28 performances, which were seen by 3,968 children and families.

1. New Show – and visit to National Theatre Studio

We spent a week in residence at the NT studios to work on The Three Little Pigs, As well as giving us the opportunity to network with NT staff and share our practice we were able to hold an open rehearsal which NT staff attended, plus producers from Polka Theatre in London, TRP and Lighthouse (LH and TRP our commissioning partners). The work was well received, and the cast and creative team did a great job. Key comments included our playfulness, innovative ideas and a good ‘voice’ for the piece that doesn’t dumb down for children.

The children we are working with visited us in London for their first session with all of them together and we also enjoyed a tour of the National with a backstage visit, including teachers, parents and supporting staff. We have been in rehearsals for The Three Little Pigs creation, at Poole Lighthouse, TRP and The Lyric, Bridport. Working with the children has slowed our creation process down but has proven very fruitful.

2. Touring and Xmas

Little Red Hen had a very successful run at Polka Theatre in Wimbledon and some key meetings with programming contacts. The cast were treated very well at this venue through a strong ‘supporting artist’ ethos. We are gearing up for four productions this Xmas. Shows are on-sale and actors contracted, rehearsals scheduled, and accommodation booked.

The week-long tour to Switzerland with Little Red Hen has been finalized with very detailed work to prepare the Carnet, which has weights and measures for everything that travels. We aim to build this process into each of our shows, so that we have the information ready.

Three Pigs opens in October and does some touring before we open for Xmas at the Studio at Lighthouse.

We have had an inquiry to go to China May/June 2024 from producers who saw Little Red Hen at Polka. We have contacts who have toured with the company before, plus some helpful advice from TRP.

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE TRUSTREES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

3. Staff Changes

We have now parted company with the Marketing Associate after a month’s notice. Our Assistant Producer has agreed to take on four additional hours per week to cover some of the role and is proving very efficient. We have now offered him a contract on PAYE for the role of Assistant Producer.

4. Training

The Producer is continuing her CPD with People Make it Work which is supporting her to plan and manage changes within the company, including planning for a sustainable model for the future with diversity of income, diversity and inclusion and legacy planning. She is part of a smaller cluster group within the cohort of organisations, many of whom are household names and most NPOs. A useful contact with the London Sinfonietta has already provided insight into working with orchestras and commissioning composers (useful for BSO project) in exchange for her thoughts on working with freelance producers and directors.

5. With Flying Colours

This project is nearly finished, and it has been interesting and valuable to be a part of such an initiative in Plymouth. We will be attending evaluation meetings plus some planning for the next stages of funding for a continuation project.

6. PR

We are continuing to work with Chloe Nelkin PR via funding from the successful project grant for Three Little Pigs. She will support the longer runs at Lighthouse and TRP and aim to get us some national press, although she has been managing our expectations that this is very challenging.

7. Octagon/Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

We had a dynamic meeting earlier in the year to agree the ambition of the project we have led on a funding application for a substantial R&D in the early part of 2024. We have agreed to find a partnership agreement that makes clear each partner’s commitment to this large and ambitious project. It is an opportunity to create a new Symphony for children, but will be costly to create and tour.

8. Van

The company van has been scrapped and we are launching a crowdfunder in October to replace it.

9. Funding

We have applied for £14k of funding to Foyle Foundation to support organisational development and specifically the new producer role. Decision on this will be in November, this was a really big and complicated application but we have been successful with this trust in the past so was worth the time investment. Other applications to Postcode Lottery, Children in Need, Christian Emerton and Boris Karloff Foundation have all been unsuccessful. We also sent letters to a number of small trusts and foundations, most of which did not reply.

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE TRUSTREES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Achievements and performance Plans for 2023/24

Financial review

It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This fund is currently at 4 months running costs £56,000. In addition there is £25000 designated to future productions, leaving a balance of £1650 undesignated unrestricted funds.

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

T R Fowler

J Fielder

H Bovey

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The trustrees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

T R Fowler

Trustee

Dated: 23 April 2024

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF S&N THEATRE COMPANY

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of S&N Theatre Company (the Charity) for the year ended 31 August 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the Charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Rowlands Webster Limited

Austin House 43 Poole Road Bournemouth Dorset BH4 9DN England

Dated: 23 April 2024

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Donations and
legacies
2
6,472
47,800
Charitable activities
3
54,862
-
Investments
4
257
-
Other income
5
-
-
Total income
61,591
47,800
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
60,924
47,800
Net income/(expenditure)
for the year/
Net movement in funds
667
-
Fund balances at 1 April
2023
81,983
-
Fund balances at 31
August 2023
82,650
-		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
54,272
14,333
33,276
54,862
132,461
10,000
257
399
-
-
15,619
-
109,391
162,812
43,276
108,724
172,298
60,883
667
(9,486)
(17,607)
81,983
91,469
17,607
82,650
81,983
-		 Total
2023
£
47,609
142,461
399
15,619
206,088
233,181
(27,093)
109,076
81,983
Donations and
legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investments
4
Other income
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
6
Net income/(expenditure)
for the year/
Net movement in funds
Fund balances at 1 April
2023
Fund balances at 31
August 2023

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 AUGUST 2023

Notes
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
11
Net current assets
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds:
4 months running costs
Future production fund
13
General unrestricted funds		 2023
£
5,875
126,929
132,804
(50,154)
56,000
25,000
81,000
1,650		 £
82,650
82,650
82,650		 2023
£
371
139,559
139,930
(57,947)
56,000
25,000
81,000
983		 £
81,983
81,983
81,983

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 August 2023.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 23 April 2024

T R Fowler Trustee

Company registration number 07479300

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

S&N Theatre Company is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Austin House, 43 Poole Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH4 9DN, England.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the Charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

1.6 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.7 Financial instruments

The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.8 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

2 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
£
£
Grants received and released
6,472
47,800
Grants receivable for core activities
Arts Council England
6,472
32,800
Backstage Trust
-
5,000
Garfield Weston
-
10,000
6,472
47,800		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
2023
£
£
£
54,272
14,333
33,276
39,272
9,333
33,276
5,000
5,000
-
10,000
-
-
54,272
14,333
33,276		 Total
2023
£
47,609
42,609
5,000
-
47,609

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

3 Charitable activities
Charitable
Charitable
Income
Income
2023 2023
£ £
Sales within charitable activities 54,862 140,170
Ancillary trading income - 2,291
54,862 142,461
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 54,862 132,461
Restricted funds - 10,000
4 Investments
**Unrestricted ** Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2023
£ £
Interest receivable 257 399
5 Other income
**Total ** Unrestricted
funds
2023 2023
£ £
Other income - 15,619

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

6 Charitable activities

Charitable
Charitable
Expenditure
Expenditure
2023 2023
£ £
Production of Children's Theatre 104,971 228,718
Share of support costs (see note ) 3,260 3,000
Share of governance costs (see note ) 493 1,463
108,724 233,181
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 60,924 172,298
Restricted funds 47,800 60,883
108,724 233,181

7 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year.

8 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2023 2023
Number Number
2 2

There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.

9 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxationof Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

10 Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2023
£
3,598
2,277
5,875		 2023
£
(1)
372
371

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

11
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Notes
Bank overdrafts
Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
12
Accruals
12
Deferred income
Arising from prepaid grants
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
Movements in the year:
Deferred income at 1 April 2023
Released from previous periods

Resources deferred in the year
Deferred income at 31 August 2023		 2023
£
105
4,877
41,912
3,260
50,154
2023
£
41,912
2023
£
41,912
35,391
(35,391)
41,912
41,912		 2023
£
105
19,746
35,391
2,705
57,947
2023
£
35,391
2023
£
35,391
-
-
35,391
35,391

13 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Movement Movement
in funds in funds
Balance at Incoming Balance at Incoming Balance at
1 April 2022 resources 1 April 2023 resources 31 August
2023
£ £ £ £ £
4 months running costs 56,000 - 56,000 - 56,000
Future production match funding 25,000 - 25,000 - 25,000
81,000 - 81,000 - 81,000

S&N THEATRE COMPANY T/A STUFF AND NONSENSE NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023

14 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).