## **Registered Charity Number 1166449** 

# **ALPHABETTI THEATRE (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)** 

# **REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ended 30 April 2022** 

1 



**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

The Trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 April 2022. 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT** 

**Charity number** 1166449 (England & Wales) **Principal address** Alphabetti Theatre, St James Boulevard, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4HP 

## **Trustees** 

The Trustees of the charity during the year and to the date of signing this report are as follows: 

Mr Jon Farthing (Chair) Mr David Byrne Resigned 8 June 2021 Ms Janet Plater Ms Joanne Hodson Ms Ruth Patterson 

**Independent Examiner** 

Pete O’Hara FCA, Chartered Accountant, 4 Stoneyhurst Road West, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1PG 

**Bankers** HSBC, 110 Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6JG 

## **Governing Documents** 

Theatre In Motion was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 8 April 2016.  The company subsequently changed its name to Alphabetti Theatre.  As a CIO it is governed by its constitution. 

## **Objectives and Activities** 

The charity’s objects are to promote, develop and maintain the public's understanding and appreciation of the arts, in particular the dramatic arts. 

## **Activities for the Public Benefit** 

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'. 

The main activities undertaken for the public benefit are as follows: 

- Working with local communities to engage individuals in the arts 

- Making work to provoke new thinking about how cultures interact 

- • Developing audiences for contemporary performance 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (Continued)** 

## **Recruitment & Appointment of Trustees** 

New Trustees are identified and appointed on the recommendation of the existing Trustees. 

## **Operation of the Board of Trustees** 

The Board of Trustees typically meets four times per year and, additionally, holds an Annual General Meeting. 

## **Trustee Induction & Training** 

In the first year of appointment an induction and training year is provided, covering both the distinctiveness of the organisation, as well as the duties and responsibilities of acting as a charity Trustee. 

## **Risk Management** 

The Trustees of the charity regularly review the major governance, operational and financial risks which the charity faces as part of its annual business planning process and confirm that systems have been established to mitigate these risks. 

Alphabetti Theatre has a risk management strategy in place, which comprises: 

- an annual review of the strategic risks the charity may face via the business plan 

- the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified 

- the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise. 

The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate financial systems and controls are in place. 

The Trustees consider the key risks facing the charity at this time to be the financial risks arising if the organisation is unable to attract sufficient income to realise its planned projects to the scale and quality to which the organisation aspires. 

The Trustees have managed the potential impact of these risks by ensuring that: 

- Prudent budgets have been set for the next financial year 

- The charity maintains a low cost base 

- Contingency plans are in place for the actions which would be taken if income appears unlikely to reach its target 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year** 

At the time of writing this (August 2022), the performance ecology in the UK and the North East is looking to slowly recover after an extremely turbulent few years. However, looking back at Alphabetti’s year ending 30 April 2022, it is inspiring and exciting to see what the organisation has been able to achieve. This has all been made possible by the incredibly hard-working small team who all play an integral role in the organisation. A special thanks to the Alphabetti Theatre Board of Trustees who continue to guide the theatre from strength to strength supporting all around it. A final thanks to all of the funders, artists, participants and audience members who invested time, money and emotion into an amazing year. 

Below are just a few of the highlights of the past year: 

- We launched our new programming model to great success 

- We had 326 performances over the year 

- All of these were Pay What You Feel performances 

- 32% were accessible performances 

- We worked with 400 artists 

- We welcomed 10,758 audience members – this is an average audience capacity of 60% across the year (we had reduced capacity due to Covid-19) 

- We have just been notified that we have been shortlisted to the final 3 for the Best Cultural Venue in the Northeast – for the Journal Cultural Awards 

- We were the only theatre in the entire UK to have two shows selected for The Stage’s 2021 Best theatre of the year 

**Listen In** by _Richard Boggie, Kay Greyson & Lauren Pattison. Directed by Jon Luke McKie. Produced by Alphabetti Theatre. A world premiere. (Tuesday 4[th] – Saturday 15[th] May 2021)_ 

This production was only available online due to Covid-19 restrictions – we commissioned three incredible writers from under-represented backgrounds in the performing arts ecology to each create a short play in reaction to a lonely theatre: 

- _The Last Laugh written & performed by Lauren Pattison_ – A comic play about a stand-up comedian facing her fear: returning to her most dreaded venue after a horrific gig that she’ll never forget. 

- _The Interval written by Richard Boggie & performed by Carl Kennedy_ - A tale about escapism, addiction and love. 

- _An Empty Room written & performed by Kay Greyson_ - an autobiographical story about Kay’s career as a rapper, featuring live music. 

The Guardian said: _"Here’s hoping the theatre industry can fashion something equally uplifting from 14 months of bare stages and empty rooms."_ 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.)** 

**Aware** _Featuring working from Hijinx, Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company and About Face Theatre Company. Produced by Alphabetti Theatre. A world premiere._ (Tuesday 25[th] May – Saturday 5[th] June 2021) 

This production was available for audiences to watch online and was our first live in-person production for 15 months. It was an immersive promenade performance designed for one household at a time. We installed three film booths in the building, each was designed and inspired by the film it was showing. Audiences moved through the designed route watching each film. The promenade production was funded by Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund, the production was the world premiere of three new short films by three learning disabled led theatre companies: _Hijinx_ , _Lawnmowers_ and _About Face_ . 

Described by Exeunt as: _"Each of the films works well on its own, the cumulative effect of watching all three is undeniable. Together, they make for a powerful trio and a vibrant, unapologetic reclaiming of a space that has for too long been exclusionary."_ 

**Sucking Eggs** _by Steve Byron, directed by Karen Traynor, performed by Steve Hawksby & Jackie Phillips. Produced by Alphabetti Theatre. A world premiere. (Tuesday 15[th] - Saturday 26[th] June 2021)_ 

This production was available live in-person and online. Commissioned in partnership with Newcastle University’s Centre for Ageing & Vitality in 2019, writer Steve Byron worked with participants talking about ageing, collecting stories and wrote this beautiful kitchen sink drama. 

Rated 4* in The Stage and described as: _"Eloquent, often funny and well-performed two-hander that tackles ageing and family ties"._ 

**Pause** _by Laura Lindow, directed by Mark Calvert, performed by Paula Penman. Commissioned and co-produced by Alphabetti Theatre. A world premiere. (Tuesday 6[th] - Sat 17[th] July 2021)_ 

This production was available live in-person and online. An uplifting love story about film and how we use it to make day-to-day blockbusting escapes. 

Rated 4* in The Stage and described as: _"a show you’d happily rewind and watch again."_ Picked for The Stage's Best Theatre in UK in 2021. 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.)** 

**Newcastle Fringe Festival** _Commissioned and re-imagined by Alphabetti Theatre and Kerrin Tatman_ . Funded by Newcastle Cultural Investment Fun & Arts Council England. ( _Tuesday 27[th] July - Saturday 7[th] August 2021)_ 

- 540 in-person audience members at Alphabetti Theatre 

- 1,077 live online audience members via Crowdcast 

- 60 performances over 10 days 

- 41 performances captioned and audio described, 2 relaxed performances and 1 BSL interpreted 

- 3 world premieres, 8 North East premieres 

- 100 artists and 71 participants engaged 

- 3 ‘seed pots’, 1 internship, 6 workshops/talks. 

_Newcastle Fringe Festival_ featured a world premiere of Alphabetti Theatre co-production _39 Horses_ written by Izaak Gledhill & Ali Pritchard, directed by Ali Pritchard, performed by Izaak Gledhill. Produced by Erin Connor. An immersive, lip-syncing comedic journey in a real life taxi. For four passengers at a time. 

We were then closed for maintenance work for the remainder of August. Here we also launched our new music and cabaret stage in our bar space. 

**Response Plays Competition** Co-produced by Alphabetti Theatre. We secured funding to launch five separate writing competitions, in response to our main productions running for that season, open to anyone over the age of 16, emerging or established. All plays were read blind and judged by the merit of the play. It was free to enter and the winning script received a cash prize.  Writers came and watched one of the eligible plays during the first week of performance (Tuesday - Thursday). When they arrived at the box office, they could ask for a Writer's Pack, which contained information about who they'd be writing for, cast, director, any other conditions of entry and information about how to submit their script.  They then had until midnight that Friday to write a complete 10 - 20 minute play responding to any aspect of the production they'd seen – what they wrote was up to them, but they had to follow the instructions in the pack carefully to be considered. 

Our _Just Write_ creative team (Ben Dickenson, Mark Calvert, Paula Penman) read the submissions and selected a winning script. The winning script went into rehearsal for 1 week and was  then be professionally performed in a double bill with the production it was reacting to during the third and final week of the run (Tuesday-Thursday). This opportunity was supported by Arts Council England. 

The selected main shows from our season were: 

1. _Pod_ by Arabella Arnott 

2. _hang_ by debbie tucker green 

3. _10 Things To Do In A Small Cumbrian Town_ by Hannah Sowerby 

4. _Tree_ by Gary Kitching & Steve Byron 

5. _No. 9_ by Anna Robinson 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.)** 

**Pod** _by Arabella Arnott, directed by Matt Jamie, performed by Arabella Arnott, David Raynor, Judi Earl & Kylie Anne Ford. Co-production with Alphabetti and a world premiere. (Tuesday 31[st] August – Saturday 18[th] September 2021)_ 

A heartfelt comedy drama about families, identity, dealing with grief and running away from secrets (and bulls). 

Described by British Theatre Guide as: _"an excellent play, beautifully performed."_ 

**hang** _by debbie tucker green, directed by Yolanda Mercy, performed by_ Janine Leigh, Simmie Kaur & Shereener Browne. Produced by Alphabetti Theatre and North East premiere, the first time any of debbie tucker green's work has been performed further north than Sheffield. ( _Tuesday 28[th] September - Saturday 16[th] October 2021)_ 

Darkly humourous, poetic and searing, _hang_ by award-winning playwright debbie tucker green is a breathless look at life in the aftermath. 

Rated 4* in The Stage which described it as: _"A taut, tense and powerful production"._ Picked for The Stage's Best Theatre in UK in 2021. 

**Meggie Magicia** _by Wendy Errington, directed by Karen Traynor, performed by Charlotte Ryder. Co-production with Alphabetti and a world premiere. (Tuesday 26[th] October – Saturday 13[th] November 2021)_ 

A one-woman show about a penguin, loss and magic. This was our first family production post Covid-19 and it sold out the entire run. 

**10 Things To Do In A Small Cumbrian Town** _Written & performed by Hannah Sowerby, directed by Jonluke McKie_ _**.** Co-production with Alphabetti and a world premiere. (Tuesday 23[rd] November - Saturday 11[th] December 2021)_ 

A proud Cumbrian, Hannah wanted to show that living in the region isn't all hiking, lakes and kayaking. This funny and honest production is about finding connection when you’re lonely, about finding solid ground when you’re lost at sea and holding on when everything’s hanging from a thread. 

Described by The Guardian as: _"delightfully deadpan coming-of-age tale"._ 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.)** 

**Reaction Artist development scheme** We were able to launch this for _10 Things To Do in a Small Cumbrian Town_ . This stream is there to develop under-represented artists in the performing arts ecology. By this we mean (not exclusive or exhaustive): 

- Identify as a woman 

- Identify as LGBTQIA+ 

- Identify as a person from the global majority 

- Identify as living with a physical or cognitive disability 

Alphabetti commission an emerging theatre maker or company to create a short piece of theatre in reaction to the main show that month. Alphabetti partner them with a mentor, they both come and watch the dress rehearsal (Monday afternoons), they then create a short complete piece of theatre (10-20 minutes) - by complete we mean it is not part of a larger show and will have a start and finish - over the following week (Tues - Sat). They then tech the piece on the Monday and perform it after the longer running show (Tues - Thurs) at 21:15. 

**Santa Must Die!** _written by Rosie MacPherson, co-directed by Beth Knight & Laurence Young, performed by Rhian Liu & Robin Ravi_ _**.** Co-production with Alphabetti and a world premiere. (Thursday 16[th] - Fri 31[st] December 2021)_ 

A raucous new gig theatre show for the gig economy at the most difficult time of the year. This was the first show since reopening that was struck down by Covid-19, with the venue staff first contracting it and then the cast and crew. After 5 performances it was unable to go back on stage. It was selected in the Best 25 Christmas Shows in the UK by The Guardian, The Stage & The i. 

Rated 4* in The Stage who described it as: “ _Raw, raucous and righteously angry piece of festive gig-theatre with engaging performances and catchy, clever songs - Impossible to resist”._ 

We were then closed due to Covid-19 and maintenance until 25[th] January. 

**Tree** _by Gary Kitching & Steve Byron, directed by Rachel Glover, performed by Jackie Phillips & Judi Earl. Co-production with Alphabetti and a world premiere. (_ Tuesday 25th January - Saturday 12th February 2022) 

A play about life and humanity. It’s hilarious, heart-breaking, and packed full of lies. A piece of theatre that rebelled against the stereotype of older women having to play supporting roles of mothers and grandmothers. 

Rated 4* by The Stage who described it as: “ _Sharp and eloquent writing combine with strong performances to make for a compelling two-hander”._ 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)** 

## **Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year (Cont.)** 

**Dragon** _written & directed by William Steele & Chloe Flockart, performed by Joe Metcalfe, Michelle Bayly, Calum Bruce & Katie Tranter. Co-production with Alphabetti and a world premiere. (_ Tuesday 22nd February - Saturday 12th March 2022) 

A dark innovative puppetry show for primary school children. The public performances were all sold out and the company ran in partnership with Discovery Museum school workshops and performance of which 250+ children came to, with one school saying it was the best trip they had ever been on. 

**No 9** _written by Anna Robinson, directed by Paula Penman, performed by Lauren Waine. Coproduction with Alphabetti and a world premiere. (_ Tuesday 22nd February - Saturday 12th March 2022) 

A brilliant, poignant, funny and entertaining one woman show about an incredibly difficult subject. The show moved MP Chi Onwurah so much that she mentioned it in the House of Commons. 

Rated 4* by The Stage who described it as: _“Beautifully performed and cleverly designed, Anna Robinson’s debut brings humour and playfulness to a difficult subject”._ 

**Mr Incredible by Camilla Whitehill** _directed by Natasha Haws, performed by Joe Gill. An Alphabetti production and a North East premiere._ (Tuesday 22[nd] March - 9[th] April 2022) 

A funny, dark and brutal one-man play about modern love and old-fashioned entitlement; deeply unsettling and intelligent dramatic monologue that plays with ambiguities. Audience feedback was incredible a highlight being: _“Magnetic performance. Blown away. Really thought-provoking and so cleverly written. Lovely direction.”_ 

With these highlights we’ve only scratched the surface of our year. Alphabetti has gone from strength to strength as we continue to strive to improve the lives of all who come into contact with us, be they Artist, Audience or Participant. 

## **Financial Review** 

The financial result for the year is a deficit on Unrestricted Funds of £(27,225) (2021: surplus £144,548).  As a result, the charity’s Unrestricted Funds at 30 April 2022 are £166,202. 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)** 

## **Reserves Policy** 

As Trustees, we have reviewed the charity's needs for reserves in line with the guidance issued by the Charity Commission. 

Pre-COVID, the Trustees sought to retain sufficient Unrestricted Reserves to cover all known liabilities and to provide for a degree of contingency to complete the charity’s existing operations in an orderly manner in the event of an unforeseen reduction in income, which was quantified as a total requirement of £40,000. 

Covid-19 has seen the Trustee’s re-evaluate that figure to £120,000 whilst the world is still battling the pandemic. This figure is to cover which includes employee notice periods, redundancy entitlements, potential production cancellation or postponement costs, rent notice period and utilities / other contract notice periods. 

In addition, the Trustees now aim to retain a further allowance of £30,000 to enable Alphabetti to re-invest in programme once fully re-open etc, whilst providing against some initial audience reluctance. 

This means a total requirement of approximately £150,000. 

The statement of financial activities shows total unrestricted funds of £166,202 at 30 April 2022. Free unrestricted reserves, defined as unrestricted funds, less any designated funds and the value of Tangible Fixed Assets, are £151,568. 

This policy is reviewed by the Trustees on a quarterly basis, whilst we are still in the pandemic and, once we are fully recovered, it will revert back to annually as part of the charity’s budgeting processes. 

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**ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS** 

Having solidified our importance to the region’s performing arts ecology, Alphabetti is now looking to develop our economic resilience to ensure that we continue to support more artists, participants, audiences, and our local community each year. 

We will do this through four key targets: 

- To develop and continue to improve our organisational structure, understanding that we are a training theatre and looking to support all our employees, volunteers, artists and participants in expanding their skill set. 

- To continue to produce high quality socioeconomically accessible art – primarily focussed on theatre. 

- To continue the expansion of our artists and audiences. 

- To continue to identify and improve the social impact that Alphabetti has as a culturally significant venue, not just regionally but also nationally. 

After trialling every event charged at Pay What You Feel for the past 18 months, we have used this analytical data as well as anecdotal data collected through speaking to artists, participants and audiences to re-imagine our ticketing policy. We still believe in being a socio-economically accessible cultural space; we are changing the method in which to tackle it. We have launched this new ticketing policy in August 2022. Now 25% of our events will be charged at Pay What You Feel with the remaining events being ticketed in a more traditional sense in three price categories – General, Concession (usually 50% reduced price of General & suitable for Over 65s, Students, Artists, those on Unemployment Benefit, Disability Benefit), and No Questions (usually 70% reduced price of General & for those who can’t afford any of the other tickets but would still like to see the show, no questions asked).  Plus, complimentary tickets are available for PAs supporting those with access requirements. 

We are also significantly aware of the cost-of-living-crisis that the UK is facing, with food and fuel poverty set to become a very real problem for most of our community. We are currently asking: what should be the priorities of cultural venues in a cost-of-living crisis? 

Having spoken to our beneficiaries and local community we have decided from October 2022 we will be altering our opening hours to 11am - 11pm, providing a warm, welcoming space where there isn’t pressure to spend money. A much-needed space in a cold city like ours but also an enjoyable space – a social and community driven space with art and creativity at its core. We will continue to offer high quality socioeconomically accessible art for all. And we’ll continue to help artists survive financially, advocating to use creativity to tell the stories that need to be heard in interesting and entertaining ways. 

In August 2022 we have just launched our new season and it is an absolute delight to see the clear development route that so many of the artists in this main programme have come from. 

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## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE TRUSTEES’ REPORT YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES** 

The Trustees shall manage the business of the Charity and may exercise all the powers of the Charity unless restricted by the Charities Act or the constitution of the Charity. 

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year. 

In preparation of the financial statements the Trustees should follow best practice and: 

1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them. 

2. Make judgements and exercises that are reasonable and prudent. 

3. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue on that basis. 

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. 

The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005 by the Charities Commission England and Wales). 

## **Signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees** 


## **Jon Richard Farthing, Trustee** 

## **26 September 2022** 

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## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF ALPHABETTI THEATRE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022** 

I hereby report to the Trustees/Members of Alphabetti Theatre (Charity Registration Number 1165934) on the accounts for the year ended 30 April 2022 set out on pages 14 to 26. 

## **Responsibilities and basis of report** 

As the charity’s trustees (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’). 

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company 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 your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).  In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. 

## **Independent Examiner’s Statement** 

Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act.  I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountant in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies. 

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: 

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 

3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or 

4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods or principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)). 

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 accounts to be reached. 


## **Pete O’Hara, FCA, Chartered Accountant Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales** 

4 Stoneyhurst Road West, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 1PG 

26 September 2022 

13 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR TO 30 APRIL 2022** 

|**Note**<br>**Income**<br>Income from Investments<br>2<br>Income from Grants, Donations &<br>Legacies<br>3<br>Income from Charitable Activities<br>4<br>Other Income<br>5<br>**Total Income**<br>**Expenditure**<br>Expenditure on Charitable Activities<br>6<br>**Total Expenditure**<br>**Net Income/(Expenditure)**<br>7<br>Balance brought forward<br>**Balance carried forward at 30**<br>**April**|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Total**<br>**2022**<br>**Total**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>30<br>-<br>30<br>22<br>78,002<br>117,210<br>195,212<br>302,787<br>52,715<br>-<br>52,715<br>12,395<br>109,540<br>-<br>109,540<br>89,466|
|---|---|
||**240,287**<br>**117,210**<br>**357,497**<br>**404,670**<br>267,512<br>158,245<br>425,757<br>232,303|
||**267,512**<br>**158,245**<br>**425,757**<br>**232,303**|
||**(27,225)**<br>**(41,035)**<br>**(68,260)**<br>**172,367**<br>193,427<br>79,785<br>273,212<br>100,845|
||**£166,202**<br>**£38,750**<br>**£204,952**<br>**£273,212**|



The notes on pages 16 to 26 form part of the financial statements. 

There are no recognised gains and losses during the year other than as shown above. 

All the activities for the year are continuing activities. 

14 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION/BALANCE SHEET AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

|**Notes**<br>**Fixed Assets**<br>Tangible Fixed Assets<br>11<br>Investments<br>12<br>**Current Assets**<br>Debtors<br>13<br>Cash at Bank and In Hand<br>**Creditors:**<br>Amounts Falling Due Within 1 Year<br>14<br>**Net Current Assets**<br>**Total Net Assets**<br>**Represented By:**<br>Unrestricted Funds<br>15, 16<br>Restricted Funds<br>15, 16|**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>14,634<br>8,923<br>1<br>1<br>93,724<br>89,092<br>98,464<br>176,736|
|---|---|
||192,188<br>265,828<br>(1,871)<br>(1,540)|
||190,317<br>264,288|
||**£204,952**<br>**£273,212**|
||166,202<br>193,427<br>38,750<br>79,785|
||**£204,952**<br>**£273,212**|



The notes on pages 16 to 26 form part of the financial statements. 

**The financial statements were approved by the Trustees, and authorized for issue, on 26 September 2022 and signed on their behalf by:** 


## **Jon Richard Farthing, Trustee** 

15 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **1. Accounting Policies** 

## **Basis of Accounting** 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). 

Alphabetti Theatre meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy. 

## **Income** 

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

Such income is only deferred when the donor or funder has specified that the grant or donation can only be used in future accounting periods or where the donor or funder has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement. 

Investment income, including interest on funds held on deposit, is recognised on a receivable basis. 

## **Expenditure** 

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when a liability is incurred. 

- Expenditure on raising funds are those costs of seeking potential funders and applying for funding 

- Charitable activities include expenditure associated with the planning and delivery of artistic productions and associated activities.  This includes both the direct costs and support costs relating to these activities. 

- Support or Indirect costs are those costs incurred in support of the charitable objectives. These have been allocated to the resources expended on a consistent basis that fairly reflects the true use of those resources within the organisation, such as allocating staff costs by time spent and other costs by their usage. 

- Governance costs are those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with the constitutional and statutory requirements. 

## **Irrecoverable VAT** 

All resources expended are classified under activity headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.  Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred. 

## **Taxation** 

Alphabetti Theatre meets the definition required of a charitable company for UK Corporation Tax purposes.  Consequently, the company is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively for charitable purposes. 

16 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **1. Accounting Policies (Continued)** 

## **Pensions** 

Alphabetti Theatre contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. Further details can be found in Note 9. 

For the defined contribution scheme, the amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs is the contributions payable in the year. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the Balance Sheet. 

## **Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation** 

Depreciation is provided on any fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the assets over their remaining useful lives as follows: 

Theatre & Bar Equipment - 20% per annum straight line IT & Office Equipment - 33% per annum straight line 

A full year’s depreciation charge is applied in the year of acquisition and no charge is made in the year of disposal. 

## **Financial Instruments** 

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind which qualify as basic financial instruments.  Such instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value. 

## **Fund Accounting** 

General Funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. 

Designated Funds comprise unrestricted funds set aside by the Trustees for a specific purpose. 

Restricted Funds reflect income received which a funder or donor requires must be spent on a particular purpose or where funds have been raised for a specific purpose.  Such income and associated expenditure is shown as Restricted in the Statement of Financial Activities, whilst any unspent balances at the year-end are carried forward as Restricted Funds. 

## **Going Concern** 

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue. 

## **Judgements and Key Sources of Estimation Uncertainty** 

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. 

There are no significant judgements or estimation uncertainty included within the financial statements. 

17 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

|**2.**|**Income from Investments**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**2022**|**2021**|
|||**Funds**|**Funds**|||
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
||Interest Receivable|30|-|30|22|
|||**£30**|**£-**|**£30**|**£22**|
||The 2021 total of £22 was wholly attributable to Unrestricted||Funds.|||
|**3.**|**Income – Grants, Donations & Legacies**|||||
|||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**2022**|**2021**|
|||**Funds**|**Funds**|||
|||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
||**Grant Income**|||||
||40Kola - Comedy Rola|-|-|-|300|
||ACE - Cultural Recovery Fund 1|-|-|-|122,000|
||ACE - Cultural Recovery Fund 2|-|-|-|61,000|
||ACE - Emergency Fund|37,500|-|37,500|35,000|
||ACE – Invigorate Festival|-|-|-|1,509|
||ACE via Ben Dickenson – Response|-|14,990|14,990|-|
||Writing|||||
||ACE via Hannah Sowerby – 10 Things|-|15,000|15,000|-|
||ACE via Lucy Curry – Whale Of A Time|-|15,000|15,000|-|
||ACE via Olivia Hunt - Love From|-|1,850|1,850|16,650|
||ACE via Steve Byron – Tree|-|15,000|15,000|-|
||Community Foundation – Community|-|5,120|5,120|-|
||Engagement|||||
||Garfield Weston Foundation|-|30,000|30,000|-|
||Newcastle City Council - COVID-19|26,004|-|26,004|37,533|
||Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund|-|18,000|18,000|11,000|
||Newcastle NE1 – Outdoor Furniture|-|2,250|2,250|-|
||Newcastle NE1 - Winter Pavement Cafe|-|-|-|500|
||Newcastle University - Sucking Eggs|-|-|-|10,000|
||**Donations**|||||
||Alphabetti Trading Limited|3,933|-|3,933|-|
||General Donations|10,565|-|10,565|7,295|
|||**£78,002**|**£117,210**|**£195,212**|**£302,787**|



Of the 2021 total of £302,787, £201,828 is attributable to Unrestricted Funds and £100,959 to Restricted Funds. 

18 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **4. Income from Charitable Activities** 

|Venue Hire & Rental Income<br>Workshops, Lectures & Consultancy<br>Other Earned Income<br>Box Office Income|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>4,872<br>11,174<br>517<br>36,152|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>4,872<br>10,947<br>-<br>11,174<br>198<br>-<br>517<br>82<br>-<br>36,152<br>1,168|
|---|---|---|
||**£52,715**|**£-**<br>**£52,715**<br>**£12,395**|



The 2021 total of £12,395 is wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds. 

## **5. Other Income** 

|Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme<br>Insurance Claim<br>Theatre Tax Relief|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>1,759<br>25,634<br>82,147|**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>1,759<br>44,828<br>-<br>25,634<br>-<br>-<br>82,147<br>44,638|
|---|---|---|
||**£109,540**|**£-**<br>**£109,540**<br>**£89,466**|



The 2021 total of £89,466 is wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds. 

19 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **6. Expenditure on Charitable Activities** 

|**Direct Project Costs**<br>Salaries & On Costs<br>Alphabetti Production Costs<br>Artists’ Fees<br>Theatre Tax Relief Splits<br>Visiting Artists – Box Office Split<br>Technical Costs<br>Marketing & Communication Costs<br>**Support Costs**<br>Premises Costs<br>Overheads & Administration Costs<br>Depreciation<br>**Governance Costs**<br>Independent Examination Fees<br>Legal & Professional<br>Other Accountancy Fees<br>Payroll Processing Costs|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>96,478<br>43,000<br>139,478<br>106,990<br>39,047<br>100,639<br>139,686<br>54,060<br>-<br>14,606<br>14,606<br>25,339<br>32,721<br>-<br>32,721<br>-<br>583<br>-<br>583<br>-<br>1,395<br>-<br>1,395<br>1,943<br>18,304<br>-<br>18,304<br>1,364<br>55,923<br>-<br>55,923<br>27,978<br>14,959<br>-<br>14,959<br>9,601<br>5,559<br>-<br>5,559<br>3,058<br>900<br>-<br>900<br>900<br>13<br>-<br>13<br>-<br>1,080<br>-<br>1,080<br>420<br>550<br>-<br>550<br>650|
|---|---|
||**£267,512**<br>**£158,245**<br>**£425,757**<br>**£232,303**|



Of the 2021 total of £232,303, £159,163 is attributable to Unrestricted Funds and £73,140 to Restricted Funds. 

## **8. Staff Costs/Trustees’ Remuneration** 

|<br>Gross Salary Costs<br>Social Security Costs<br>Employer’s Pension Contributions|**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>91,167<br>43,000<br>134,167<br>104,110<br>3,355<br>-<br>3,355<br>926<br>1,956<br>-<br>1,956<br>1,954<br>**£96,478**<br>**£43,000**<br>**£139,478**<br>**£106,990**|
|---|---|



Of the 2021 total of £106,990, £93,400 is attributable to Unrestricted Funds and £13,590 to Restricted Funds 

The average number of staff employed in the year on Artistic Direction and Venue Management was 7 (2021: 5) 

20 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **8. Staff Costs/Trustees’ Remuneration (Cont.)** 

No staff received remuneration in excess of £60,000 in the year (2021: None). 

No remuneration was paid to or waived by Trustees/Directors in the year (2021: £Nil). 

Trustees are able to claim re-imbursement at cost for any out-of-pocket expenses they incur in the course of their Trustee duties, but no such costs were incurred/claimed in the year (2021: £Nil). 

## **9. Pension Scheme** 

Pension benefits are provided through a Group Personal Pension Scheme, which is a defined contribution scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in a separately administered fund.  In the year to 30 April 2022, Alphabetti Theatre made an employer's contribution of 3% of pensionable pay, provided that the employee makes a minimum contribution of 5%. 

These amounts are paid over to the scheme on a monthly basis. 

Contributions totalling £611 were outstanding at 31 March 2022 (2021: £280). 

## **10. Net Income/(Expenditure)** 

||**2022**|**2021**|
|---|---|---|
|Net Income/(Expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):|**£**|**£**|
|Depreciation|5,559|3,058|
|Independent Examiner’s Fees|900|900|



## **11. Taxation** 

Alphabetti Theatre is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income or gains derived from its activities as they fall within the exemptions available. 

21 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **12. Fixed Assets** 

|**Cost**<br>At 1 May 2021<br>Additions in year<br>At 30 April 2022<br>**Accumulated Depreciation**<br>At 1 May 2021<br>Charge for year<br>At 30 April 2022<br>**Net Book Value**<br>At 30 April 2022<br>At 1 May 2021<br>**13.**<br>**Investments**<br>Investment in trading subsidiary – Alphabetti Trading Limited|**Theatre, IT &**<br>**Office**<br>**Equipment**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**Fixed**<br>**Assets**<br>**£**<br>16,008<br>16,008<br>11,270<br>11,270<br>27,278<br>27,278<br>7,085<br>7,085<br>5,559<br>5,559<br>12,644<br>12,644<br>**£14,634**<br>**£14,634**<br>£8,923<br>£8,923<br>**2022**<br>**£**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>1<br>1<br>£1<br>£1|
|---|---|
|||
|||
|||
|||



Alphabetti Theatre owns 100% of the share capital of Alphabetti Trading Limited (Company Number 11214355), which is responsible for bar and catering operations. 

Alphabetti Trading Limited will typically donate some or all of its profits to Alphabetti Theatre. 

## **14. Debtors** 

|**ebtors**||
|---|---|
|Amounts due from subsidiary – Alphabetti Trading<br>Accrued Income – Donation from Alphabetti Trading<br>Accrued Income – Theatre Tax Relief<br>Accrued Income - Other<br>Prepayments|**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>6,383<br>1,948<br>2,473<br>73,539<br>44,638<br>17,249<br>32,009<br>988<br>3,589|
||**£93,724**<br>**£89,092**|



All sums are due within 1 year. 

22 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE** 

## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **15. Creditors - Amounts Falling Due Within One Year** 

|Other Creditors<br>Accruals<br>**16.**<br>**Analysis of Net Assets between**<br>Fixed Assets<br>Investments<br>Debtors<br>Cash at Bank and In Hand<br>Creditors – Due Within 1 Year|**Funds**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**Restricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>14,634<br>-<br>1<br>-<br>76,475<br>17,249<br>76,963<br>21,501<br>(1,871)<br>-|**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>611<br>280<br>1,260<br>1,260<br>**£1,871**<br>**£1,540**<br>**2022**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>14,634<br>8,923<br>1<br>1<br>93,724<br>89,092<br>98,464<br>176,736<br>(1,871)<br>(1,540)|
|---|---|---|
||**£166,202**<br>**£38,750**|**£204,952**<br>**£273,212**|



23 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **17. Analysis of Charitable Funds** 

|**Unrestricted General Fund**<br>**Movement on Restricted Funds**<br>ACE - Cultural Recovery Fund 2<br>ACE – Invigorate Festival<br>ACE via Ben Dickenson – Response<br>Writing<br>ACE via Hannah Sowerby – 10 Things<br>ACE via Lucy Curry – Whale Of A Time<br>ACE via Olivia Hunt - Love From<br>ACE via Steve Byron – Tree<br>Community Foundation - AWARE<br>Community Foundation – Community<br>Engagement<br>Garfield Weston Foundation<br>Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund via<br>Community Foundation<br>Newcastle NE1 – Outdoor Furniture<br>Newcastle University – Sucking Eggs<br>**Total Restricted Funds**<br>**Total Funds**|**Fund at 1**<br>**May**<br>**2021**<br>**£**<br>**Incoming**<br>**Resources**<br>**for Period**<br>**£**<br>**Resources**<br>**Expended**<br>**for Period**<br>**£**<br>**Fund at 30**<br>**April 2022**<br>**£**<br>**193,427**<br>**240,287**<br>**(267,512)**<br>**166,202**<br>43,000<br>-<br>(43,000)<br>-<br>11,770<br>-<br>(11,770)<br>-<br>-<br>14,990<br>(14,990)<br>-<br>-<br>15,000<br>(15,000)<br>-<br>-<br>15,000<br>(15,000)<br>-<br>-<br>1,850<br>(1,850)<br>-<br>-<br>15,000<br>(15,000)<br>-<br>7,710<br>-<br>(7,710)<br>-<br>-<br>5,120<br>(5,120)<br>-<br>-<br>30,000<br>(2,500)<br>27,500<br>10,000<br>18,000<br>(19,000)<br>9,000<br>-<br>2,250<br>-<br>2,250<br>7,305<br>-<br>(7,305)<br>-|
|---|---|
||**79,785**<br>**117,210**<br>**(158,245)**<br>**38,750**|
||**£273,212**<br>**£357,497**<br>**£(425,757)**<br>**£204,952**|



24 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **17. Analysis of Charitable Funds (Cont.)** 

## **Name of Restricted Fund** 

## **Description, Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund** 

ACE - Cultural Recovery Fund 2 Towards a package of agreed costs enabling a transition back to a viable and sustainable operating model. ACE – Invigorate Festival Towards the costs of Invigorate Festival ACE via Ben Dickenson – Response Towards the cost of Response Writing Writing 

ACE via Hannah Sowerby – 10 Things   Towards the cost of 10 Things ACE via Lucy Curry – Whale Of A Time Towards the cost of Whale Of A Time ACE via Olivia Hunt - Love From Towards the cost of Love From… ACE via Steve Byron – Tree Towards the cost of Tree Community Foundation - AWARE Towards the costs of AWARE Community Foundation – Community Towards the costs of community engagement Engagement Garfield Weston Foundation Towards core operating costs Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund via Towards the costs of organisational development Community Foundation 

Newcastle NE1 – Outdoor Furniture Towards the costs of purchasing outdoor furniture Newcastle University – Sucking Eggs Towards the cost of Sucking Eggs 

25 



## **ALPHABETTI THEATRE NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS AT 30 APRIL 2022** 

## **18. Financial Commitments** 

No material financial commitments have been made in respect of future financial years. 

## **19. Related Parties** 

Alphabetti Theatre has identified the following relationship which should be disclosed as a related party: 

Party: Alphabetti Trading Limited Relationship: 100% Owned Subsidiary 

Nature of Transactions in the year: Donation of subsidiary profits 

- In the year to 30 April 2022, Alphabetti Trading donated profits of £3,933 (2021: £Nil) to Alphabetti Theatre. 

- At 30 April 2022, Alphabetti Trading owed £1,948 (2021: £2,473) to Alphabetti Theatre in respect of unpaid donation of profits. 

Nature of Transactions in the year: Costs paid by charity on behalf of subsidiary 

- In the year to 30 April 2022, Alphabetti Theatre paid costs of £553 (2021: £4,850) on behalf of Alphabetti Trading. 

- At 30 April 2022, Alphabetti Trading owed £Nil (2021: £6,383) to Alphabetti Theatre in respect of reimbursement of these costs. 

There were no other transactions in the year with related parties, such as are required to be disclosed under the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (Effective April 2008) (2021: None). 

26