ARTLESS THEATRE TRUST – TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
1 AUGUST 2020-31 JULY 2021
Section A
Other names charity is known by
Artless
Artless Theatre Company
Charity's principal address
398 Brentwood Road, Romford, RM2 6DH
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Dates acted if not for whole Trustee name Office (if any) year Robert Scott Treasurer Rebecca Poch Chair Penny Spearman Secretary James Poch Paul Syrstad Aaron Babla Steve Maltz Nathan Gilderson
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) Trustee majority Trustee majority Trustee majority Trustee majority Trustee majority Trustee majority Trustee majority Trustee majority
Section B
Type of governing document: Constitution How the charity is constituted: CIO Trustee Selection Method: Elected by existing trustees
Section C
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document:
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(A) To advance the Christian faith predominantly among young people and families, in schools, groups, communities and in conjunction with the churches in the area of drama & theatre ministry across the United Kingdom.
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(B) To advance the education and appreciation of the dramatic arts by producing and presenting to the public high-quality performances of theatre and performance.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit):
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In partnership with Scripture Union’s 10:2 internship programme Artless was able to secure a technical intern for the year. This gave the opportunity for the intern to tour and work on various Artless productions throughout the year giving the intern valuable work experience. The internship also provides practical training and mentoring to hone their skills and prepare them for work outside of the programme. Artless hopes that this partnership will continue into the foreseeable future.
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In response to not being able to perform in person, in November & December 2020 Artless once again redeveloped an original piece of children’s theatre titled ‘ Time Hunters ’, adapting it as an online live performance. This was performed live via ‘Zoom’ allowing for audience interaction. This was performed to six churches across the UK from various denominations.
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With the 2020 tour of Centurion cancelled due to the pandemic, Artless was keen to produce some digital form of Centurion . Due to the nature of the show, Artless decided that adapting the play into a radio play would suit the production best. This in turn led to Artless being commissioned by Premier Christian radio, Britain’s largest Christian radio station, to have Centurion played on Good Friday as part of their extensive Easter programming. Though disappointing not to be able to perform Centurion in person for the second time running, this audio form of the production allowed Artless to have a wider reach across the whole of the UK reaching thousands of people. It also opened up our performance to those who may not be able to attend a performance in person due to age or disability.
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Artless was again selected to be specialist mentors for the drama stream of the young Christian evangelist academy ‘Amplify’. Artless gave online specialist mentoring sessions to those on the course who are interested in using drama ministry in their own evangelism. This continues to be a great opportunity for Artless to advance the education and appreciation of the dramatic arts particularly within the form of drama ministry and to equip the next generation to continue this work. This partnership with ‘Amplify’ continues to demonstrate that Artless is at the forefront of drama ministry and our specialists in this field of work.
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Artless wrote and began touring a new original production ( If Prison Walls Could Speak ). Artless have partnered with another charity called Release International to help finance the production and to help highlight the work that Release does working with the persecuted church across the globe. The play was launched at the Brentwood Theatre in October and will tour 100 churches across the whole of the UK.
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During the year, the Trustees have been mindful of the guidance by the Charity Commission on Public Benefit.
Section D
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year:
Once again, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, 2021 has proved a difficult year for Artless but has also proven an opportunity for Artless to adapt, innovate and expand into new areas.
With live performances being prohibited Artless was not allowed to tour as it normally would. This in turn had a negative impact on the Trust’s finances. However, due to the use of the governments furlough scheme, a new fundraising campaign and our annual fundraiser Artless was able to stay financially solvent.
Monthly donations were a particular area of concern that was identified by the Trustees. This led to the launch of the 21 for 21 campaign which encouraged supports to sign up to give £21 for 2021. This proved to be a success and greatly improved the monthly income and stability of the trust. Not only did it encourage new supporters to give, it also encouraged some legacy supporters to increase their monthly giving.
The trust also had its most successful annual fundraiser the ‘Bard-a-thon’ , reading all of Shakespeare’s play one 2 days and it raised just over £4,000. This was a great encouragement to the Trust and went towards the development of the new production ‘If Prison Walls Could Speak’.
With Christmas such an important holiday for the church and with many churches not meeting in person, Artless made the decision to adapt their performance of ‘Time Hunters’ into an online performance to be live streamed via zoom. It was important to Artless to offer churches the opportunity to host an event that was accessible for all ages at such a difficult time for the Church.
Soon after Christmas Artless’ thoughts turned to Easter and with touring being out of the question they were forced to adapt. This led to a commission from Premier Christian Radio to create a radio play for their Easter programming. With Centurion not being able to tour, this appeared to be the perfect fit. Adapted for radio and with new cast members, Centurion was able to reach a whole new audience. Once again, being forced to adapt by the limits put on Artless by the pandemic has ultimately helped Artless to reach audiences in new and more innovative ways serving as an achievement for the Trust.
Securing a partnership with Release International to help produce a new national play ‘If Prison Walls Could Speak’ has been instrumental to Artless’ success over the last year. Although a oneman play with only one live performer the production has the largest and diverse cast of all its plays. This allowed the Trust to employ various artists from a variety of backgrounds. Using projection in new and innovative ways to create this hybrid one-man play has helped to develop the skill sets and expertise of Artless’ employees. The play has launched to very positive reviews and will tour 100 churches across the UK.
Artless' partnership with Scripture Union England and Wales (Charity no. 213422) as a National Mission Partner has continued to grow. This has been particularly strengthened through Artless’ use of SU’s 10:2 internship. This has created opportunities for Artless to provide services for the shared beneficiaries in the area of drama and theatre ministry.
Being able to train and equip the next generation in the area of drama ministry is a key focal point. Artless was happy to be invited back to be the specialist mentors for the drama stream in the Amplify programme. This has allowed us to continue training and equipping the next generation in the area of drama ministry a key aim of the Trust.
| ARTLESS THEATRE TRUST | ARTLESS THEATRE TRUST | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| and | accounts | CC16a | ||||||
| For | the periodfrom | 01t08t2020 | To | 3110712021 | ||||
| Section ARecei | and | ents | ||||||
| funds | funds | Endowment funds |
Total | tunds | ||||
| to thenearest€ | to the nearest e | to theHrcst€ | to then.aEst€ | to thenqest€ | ||||
| A,1 | ||||||||
| Grsnls&Donalions | 19,379.96 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 19,37S.96 | 15.052.72 | |||
| GiftAid TaxRefund | 2,259.52 | 457.53 | 0.00 | 2,727.O5 | 1,g,r{.88 | |||
| 0. | 10.952,11 | |||||||
| 0-00 | 11,470.E4 | 0.00 | 11,170.84 | 5,077.60 | ||||
| HMRC Job Retention | Scheme | '15,692.91 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 15,632.94 | 3,728.95 | ||
| Other lncome | 0.70 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.70 | 3,062.37 | |||
| total (Gross income | 39,193.12 | 1'.1,928.37 | 0.00 | 5'l,121.L | 39,785.6: | |||
| 0_ | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0-00 | 0.00 | ||||
| 0.0( | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| Sub | 0.0( | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0,00 | 0.0{ | |||
| Totalreceipts@j | 11,924.37 | 0.00 | f?if4-51 | 39,7E5.63 | ||||
| A3 | ||||||||
| Equipment | 868.86 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 868.85 | 1,521.77 | |||
| SaiaryPayments | 38,109.36 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 38,.109.36 | 38,280.52 | |||
| lnsurance | 527.G6 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 527.66 | 172.36 | |||
| Produdions | ||||||||
| 228.11 | 6,100.50 | 0.00 | 6,328.97 | 4,029.39 | ||||
| Publicity&Website | 342-63 | 0.00 | 0,00 | 342.63 | 0.00 | |||
| OtherExpenditure | 904.93 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 904.93 | 1,740.33 | |||
| Sub | 40,961.91 | 6,r00.50 | 0.00 | 47,0A2.41 | ,16,047.37 | |||
| A4 Asset andinvestment | ||||||||
| ourchases. {see | tablel | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| S{Jb | fota, | 0.00 | 0-00 | 0,00 | 0.0( | 0.0( | ||
| Totalpayments | lJr.Ti6,;i6l | 0.00 | 47,082.41 | 40,047.31 | ||||
| Netoffeceipts/(paym | ents) | 5,827.87 | 0.00 | 4,039.08 | -6,261.74 | |||
| 0,00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | ||||
| A6 Cashfundslast year end | 7,s13.21 | 0.00 | 0"00 | 7,613.21 | 13,874.95 | |||
| Cashfunds thisyear | 5,824.42 | 5,827.87 | 0.00 | 11,652.23 | 7,613.21 |
| ARTLESS THEARTE TRUST | ARTLESS THEARTE TRUST | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recei | and | accounts | CC16a | |||||
| Forthe period from | o'U08t2a20 | To | 31t07t2021 | |||||
| SectionBStatementofassets andliabilitiesatthe end of | theperiod | |||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Endowmentfunds | ||||||
| Categories | uslaiis | funds to nearcstf |
to | funds nraresl € |
toneareste | |||
| BlCashfunds | Curent Acmunt | 4,444.09 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Savings Account | 7,208.20 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| lnhand | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| -!it'rE | ||||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments | ||||||||
| Duefrom | HMRC- GiftAid | 't84 | -t | 0 | 0 | |||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Details | Fund | to | which | Cost(optlonaD | Curentvalue | |||
| 83 lnvestment assets | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Setails | Fund atsel |
to wnich halonds |
Cost (optional) | Current value lootlonall |
||||
| 84 Assets retainedfor | Sound& | lighting equipment | Generai | 11,605 | 0 | |||
| thecharity'sown use | Staging | General | 1,,100 | 0 | ||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | |||||||
| Setails | Fund | to | which | Amount due | When due(optional) | |||
| 85Liabilities | NEST Pensions-July | General | 395 | |||||
| 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | ||||||||
| 0 | ||||||||
| Signedbyoneortwo trustees | PrintName | Dateof | ||||||
| RISCOTT | ||||||||
| 02Auoust2021 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the Charity Name ARTLESS THEATRE TRUST trustees/ members of
On accounts for the 31 JULY 2021 year ended
1172501
Set out on pages 1-2
(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not
required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
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Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general examiner’s Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination statement
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includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my examiner's attention statement
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed:
Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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