THE SISTERS GRIMM CHARITABLE TRUST REPORT 2025
www.tsgct.co.uk
The Sisters Grimm Charitable Trust Charity number: 116338
Trustees:
Adam Quigley Alexia Moore Ben Onajide Clare Eason Eibhlish Fleming
The principal office of the CIO: No. 1 Business Centre, 1 Alvin Street, Gloucester, GL1 3EJ, England
The objects of the CIO are to promote the arts and to advance the education of the general public in the field of dance, music, film and other art forms, in particular but not exclusively through supporting the work of B Corp certified Sisters Grimm Ltd, INALA Ltd, and other related companies and organisations, in creation, development, production and performance of the arts.
August 2024 to September 2025
OUTREACH ACTIVITY & IMPACT
SUMMARY
During 2025, The Sisters Grimm Charitable Trust supported the landmark South African premiere of INALA , the Grammy-nominated South African music and dance production, at Joburg Theatre’s flagship Mandela Theatre on 22 May 2025. The homecoming brought a work inspired by South African music and culture back to the country for the first time following more than a decade of international success. The new 60 -minute production celebrated South African heritage through Zulu song, music and dance, with music originally created by Joseph Shabalala, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Ella Spira MBE, choreography by Mark Baldwin OBE and narration featuring the voice of Ndaba Mandela.
The project achieved significant public engagement. The premiere sold out and audience demand resulted in Joburg Theatre adding a second performance on 23 May, which also sold out. Joburg City Theatres subsequently highlighted INALA in its official annual reporting as one of the Mandela Theatre’s notable productions, recording both the strong audience response and additional performance prompted by demand. The project provided paid performance opportunities and an international platform for South African artists while connecting artistic activity with wider social purpose. Alongside the performances, the project engaged with Lawyers Against Abuse , a South African organisation supporting survivors of gender-based and sexual violence and working towards systemic change. Through performance, cultural representation and socialimpact partnerships, the project furthered the Trust’s objectives of advancing the arts, education and public engagement while celebrating South African creativity on one of Johannesburg’s major cultural stages.
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FULL REPORT
INALA – Background and Track Record
INALA was conceived by Sisters Grimm founders Pietra Mello-Pittman MBE and Ella Spira MBE as a major cross-cultural collaboration bringing together South African music, song and dance with contemporary international performance. Created with the late Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo , with choreography by Mark Baldwin OBE , INALA received its world premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2014.
Over the following decade, INALA developed an exceptional international track record, celebrating South African artistic excellence and introducing audiences around the world to Zulu music, language, song and dance. The production received a Grammy nomination and has appeared at major cultural stages and events including the Royal Variety Performance, Royal Albert Hall, Sadler’s Wells, Hampton Court Palace and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore , as well as touring extensively internationally, including across China.
INALA has also been experienced by members of the Royal Family and has consistently provided an international platform for South African artists and cultural expression. Alongside its professional performances, the wider journey has incorporated educational engagement, workshops, outreach and opportunities for young people, using the arts as a means of building understanding and connection across cultures.
The founders’ sustained international creative work was recognised when Pietra Mello-Pittman and Ella Spira were each appointed MBE for services to international trade and the UK creative industries .
2025 Outreach Activity – INALA Comes Home to South Africa
Against this background, 2025 represented an important milestone in INALA’s journey: its South African premiere and homecoming .
During the reporting year, The Sisters Grimm Charitable Trust received a £15,000 donation from the Davis Foundation towards the costs of presenting INALA at Joburg Theatre’s flagship Mandela Theatre on 22 May 2025 .
The homecoming enabled a work that had celebrated and represented South African creativity internationally for more than a decade to be experienced by audiences in South Africa. The newly developed one-hour production brought together South African artists through Zulu song, music and dance, celebrating heritage, identity and the ability of the arts to connect peo ple across cultures and generations.
The response was significant. The premiere sold out , and following audience demand Joburg Theatre added a further performance, which also sold out. The project provided professional opportunities and a major cultural platform for participating South African artists while bringing INALA’s international journey full circle.
The charitable support contributed towards the artistic and delivery costs associated with the South African project, including artists, costumes, music and recordings, together with its wider cultural and social-impact activity.
The project also provided a platform for engagement with Lawyers Against Abuse , a South African organisation working with survivors of gender-based and sexual violence and advocating for systemic and policy change. This reflected the wider ambition to use artistic platforms not only to entertain audiences, but also to create opportunities for dialogue, awareness and positive social impact.
Public Benefit and Impact
The Trustees consider that the South African premiere of INALA directly furthered the Charity’s objectives through the promotion of the arts, cultural participation, education and international cultural exchange .
The project built upon more than a decade of artistic and outreach activity, provided a platform for South African creative talent, enabled audiences to engage with South African music, language and cultural heritage, and connected artistic activity with wider social-impact work.
The Trustees believe the success of the homecoming demonstrates the continuing potential of INALA as a vehicle through which arts and culture can educate, connect communities and bridge cultures , while creating meaningful opportunities for artists and audiences.
Financial Review
During the year, the Charity received £15,000 from the Davis Foundation in support of the INALA South African premiere and associated charitable activity.
NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1. Accounting Convention
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have been prepared in accordance with Guidance issued by the Charity Commission and comply with the Charities Act 2011, The Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Constitution of The Sisters Grimm Charitable Trust ("the charity")
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognized at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts.
The Sisters Grimm Charitable Trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102 The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ("CIO") registered in England and Wales and the address of its registered office is Number 1 Business Centre, 1 Alvin Street, GLOUCESTER, Gll 3EJ
2. cash Funds
All funds held by the charity are unrestricted funds held for the purpose of fulfilling the charitable objects of the charity and paying governance costs.
3. Related party transactions
During the year, the charity received £15,000.00 and paid out £60 for administrative expenses
Total costs paid by The Sisters Grimm Charitable Trust to Sisters Grimm Ltd as a contribution towards the South Africa Premiere of INALA a Zulu musical £15,000.00
For more information contact: pietra.ella@sisters-grimm.co.uk www.houseofsistersgrimm.com
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted funds | Total funds | Total funds | Total funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Receipts | ||||
| Donations,including gift aid recoveries | £15,000 | £15,000 | £- | £1010 |
| Total receipts | £15,000 | £15,000 | £- | £1010 |
| Payments | ||||
| Grants to Sisters Grimm Limited | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Governance fees | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Operations cost | £15,000 | £15,000 | £60.00 | £60.00 |
| Totalpayments | £15,000 | £15,000 | £60.00 | £60.00 |
| Net of receipt/(payments) | £0.00 | £0.00 | £-60.00 | £950.00 |
| Cash funds lastyear end | £1785.73 | £1785.73 | £1845.73 | £895.73 |
| Cash funds thisyear end | £1785.73 | £1785.73 | £1,785.73 | £1,845.73 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
| Unrestricted funds | Total funds | Total funds | Total funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash funds | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
| Cash at Bank | £1,845.73 | £1,845.73 | £1785.73 | £1,845.73 |
| Total Cash Funds | £1,845.73 | £1,845.73 | £1785.73 | £1,845.73 |
| Total Assets | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Total Liabilities | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Net Assets | £1,785.73 | £1,785.73 | £1785.73 | £1,845.73 |
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on Ju1st June 2024 and signed on their behalf by Eibhlish Fleming
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