## ARTLESS THEATRE TRUST
# Report and Accounts
Year ended 31 July 2023
ARTLESS THEATRE TRUST — TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT as at 31 July 2023
## Section A
## Other names charity is known by
Artless Artless Theatre Company
## Charity's principal address
398 Brentwood Road, Romford, Essex, RM2 6DH
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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|se|:|‘|Dates|acted|if not for whole||Name|of person|(or|body)|
|nae|Oiiee|(i any)|year|entitled|to appoint trustee|(if any)|
|Sandra O’Neal|P|Appointed 9 May 2023|Trustee|majority|
|Elizabeth|Fennell ft|Appointed 28 April 2023|Trustee|majority|
|Neil Henery|Po Appointed 18 July 2023|Trustee majority|
|JamesPoch|1 Sept 2022- 12 Feb 2023|Resigned|15 November 2022|
|Nathan Gilderson|||1 Sept 2022-15 May 2023|Hissigiiad|15 Way £029|
|Aaron Babla|P||1 Sept 2022-2 June 2023|Resigned 2 June 2023|
|Paul Syrstad|P|1|Sept 2022-5 June 2023|Resignedd5d June 2023|
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## Section B
Type of governing document: Constitution How the charity is constituted: clo Trustee Selection Method: Elected by existing trustees
## Section C
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document:
- (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.
- (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):
The past year stands as a remarkable phase of growth and influence for Artless Theatre Trust, characterised by our dedication to advancing the Christian faith through theatre and performance. This commitment to sharing the message of Jesus Christ propelled our endeavours throughout the year, as elaborated below:
- e Expansion of "If Prison Walls Could Speak": Building upon its previous success, our acclaimed national play, "If Prison Walls Could Speak," was taken into new territories, including Scotland, North West England, and Ireland. This expansion allowed us to engage diverse audiences, forging new connections and partnerships, and amplifying the impact of this production. Notably, the play was performed 29 times during the year, reflecting a remarkable 47% increase from the previous year.
- e Resilience in the Face of Challenges: Artless Theatre Trust navigated a significant challenge during our Scottish tour, overcoming disruption due to illness. Through strategic planning and determination, the tour was successfully rescheduled for January, augmented by the addition of three extra dates, showcasing our commitment to delivering impactful performances and maintaining strong relationships by fulfilling our commitments.
- e New Wine: Participation in New Wine, a prestigious Christian festival, marked a pivotal moment in our year. Performing for nearly 1000 attendees, including Petr Jasek, the man behind the true story of "If Prison Walls Could Speak,” provided a platform for thought-provoking conversations and the sharing of the transformative power of theatre to a broader and more diverse audience.
- e Crossing Borders: A significant milestone was achieved with our first international tour to Ireland and Northern Ireland, in collaboration with the Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention. This tour extended our reach beyond borders, equipping us with valuable experience for navigating international engagements. This achievement signifies that "If Prison Walls Could Speak" has been showcased in every nation within the United Kingdom.
- e Empowering through Education: Our commitment to education was evident through engagement with the Diocese of Chelmsford's Pilgrim’s Week. Facilitating engaging drama workshops for primary schools not only nurtured creativity but also equipped young minds with new skills, underscoring theatre's potential for inspiring personal growth. It was also a great opportunity to again share the amazing work of St Cedd and Christianity's impact throughout the history of Essex.
- e SOLID: Once more, Artless was invited to participate in the SOLID festival held in Upminster, Essex. Taking the main stage during all four key sessions, Artless
- entertained and challenged the audience with a series of original and engaging sketches.
- e The Grumpy Owl Project: The year marked the unveiling of our unique project - The Grumpy Owl. This project takes on two distinct elements the first being a children’s illustrated book called “The Grumpy Owl & the Joy of Christmas’ which will be published and distributed by Scripture Union. The book carries a powerful message of the true meaning of Christmas and the joy inherent in Jesus. Notably, this book will witness the printing of an impressive 100,000 copies over the next two years, underscoring its potential for profound impact and widespread reach. The second part of this project is adapting the book into a new original play called “Amos & the Grumpy Owl’ that will tour churches and schools during Christmas 2023 & 2024. We're also thrilled that more exciting resources are in the works, including a filmed version of the play, all aiming to extend the project's reach so that as many children and young people can be impacted by the true meaning and message of Christmas.
## Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year:
The past year has emerged as a period of remarkable achievements that have positioned Artless Theatre Trust for sustained growth and greater impact. The collective efforts of the dedicated team, partners, and supporters have yielded transformative outcomes, underscoring the enduring impact of our commitment to advancing the Christian faith and artistic excellence through captivating theatre experiences.
A pivotal achievement emerged from a strategic retreat convened by Company Director Christopher Poch and Artistic Director Jonathan Maltz. A key focus of the three day retreat was to establish the values of Artless. This led to the formation of four core values: Rooted, Innovative, Challenging, and Humility. These values have been seamlessly woven into the fabric of our creative decision-making and organisational trajectory, ensuring that our work remains resolutely aligned with our mission.
Throughout the past year, Artless Theatre Trust has embarked on a deliberate and gradual journey towards increasing our regular giving, a cornerstone objective fundamental to our overarching mission. This pursuit reflects our dedication to shaping a more stable financial landscape, one that empowers us to plan, create, and innovate with greater efficacy.
However, we recognise that the path towards maximising our regular giving is not a sprint but a carefully orchestrated journey that demands diligent planning and strategic engagement. We are steadfast in our determination to further enhance our outreach, engaging with supporters old and new while fostering meaningful relationships.
At the beginning of the year, we introduced "Breakfast with Artless," an event that went beyond a simple gathering. It served as a space for reflection, thanksgiving, and forward-looking conversations. This event was a milestone for us, embodying our commitment to strengthening relationships with our valued supporters. "Breakfast with Artless" was about more than just sharing food; it was a chance to come together with those who have stood by us over the years. It allowed us to look back on the journey we've travelled during the past five years and also look ahead to what lies ahead.
This event resonated strongly with our supporters, with more than 60 individuals joining us. Each presence was a testament to the bonds we've formed and the shared vision we uphold. A crucial objective was to strengthen the involvement and investment of our core supporters in our mission. Given the positive response and impact, we're excited to announce that "Breakfast with Artless" will become an annual tradition, fostering deeper connections and shared purpose in the years to come.
Diving into unexplored territory, we took a leap of faith by venturing into a fresh project—an exciting children’s illustrated Christmas book that marked a new direction for us. Despite the unfamiliar ground, we felt a clear call, as we saw the potential to make a meaningful impact during the Christmas period.
This project, set to be published as an illustrated book, carries a powerful message of the true meaning of Christmas and the joy inherent in Jesus. Notably, this book will witness the printing of an impressive 100,000 copies over the next two years, exemplifying its potential for profound impact and widespread reach.
Our collaboration with Scripture Union England and Wales (Charity no. 213422) has also gained strength through this venture. This collaboration opens doors for us to provide valuable services that serve the shared goals of our organisations. This project represents growth on multiple fronts—it expands our creative horizons and enhances our ability to reach communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Touring Ireland and further afield presented us with unique challenges, underscoring our capacity to adapt and growin the face of distance, logistics, and regulatory intricacies. This invaluable experience has not only expanded our skill set but also equipped us with insights crucial for future international undertakings.
Amidst these challenges, "If Prison Walls Could Speak" took centre stage, resonating across 29 performances—an impressive 47% increase from the previous year. This accomplishment serves as a resounding testament to Artless Theatre Trust's expansion, showcasing a growing appetite for our performances and a burgeoning confidence in our artistic quality.
A standout achievement of the year was our involvement in the prestigious New Wine festival - United 23. This pivotal event was a defining milestone, as we performed before a substantial audience of almost 1000 attendees, over two performances, including Petr Jasek—the individual whose real-life experiences inspired "If Prison Walls Could Speak." These invaluable opportunities have not only deepened our connection to wider audiences but have also played a crucial role in cementing Artless' presence within the wider church.
This play's continued success has propelled us to extend its journey, with plans to tour it throughout 2024. Through these milestones, Artless firmly establishes itself as a pivotal figure within the Christian arts landscape.
Our continued partnership with Release International in bringing "If Prison Walls Could Speak" to life stands as a cornerstone of Artless Theatre Trust's accomplishments in the
past year. The invaluable support we've received from Release International has been essential for the success of the play, shaping its journey and amplifying its reach. As a testament to the partnership's strength, we've witnessed an increase in engagement with new Release International supporters. This growth reflects the collaborative impact of our work, fostering a sense of shared purpose that extends beyond the stage. This heightened engagement has been a source of great encouragement, reaffirming our collective commitment to spotlighting the plight of the persecuted church and rallying support for those in need.
In the year 2023, Artless Theatre Trust experienced a profound journey of growth, expanding our reach to new horizons, engaging with more churches, and participating in a diverse array of events. With heartfelt gratitude, we recognise that these opportunities have allowed us to magnify the message of the gospel and share the story of Jesus Christ with an ever-expanding audience.
"Sapceoanncesuuaaeanmuamuneecnah
## CHARITY COMMISSION Independent examiner's FOR ENGLAND AND WALES report on the accounts
## Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
ReportP to the trustees/ members of |ARTLESS THEATRE TRUST
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On accounts for the year | 31 JULY 2023
ended
Set out on pages | 1 and 2
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7
Charity no | 1172501
(if any)
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| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended
- Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act’).
| report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
- Independent | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- e the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
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| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a
prop understanding of the accounts to be reached.
* Pipse cel ng words in the brackets if they do not apply.
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IER
1
October 2018
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.
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IER
2
October 2018
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: r Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period from o1iaaye07D 31/07/2023
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds
funds funds funds
tothe nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A‘ Receipts [og a)
HMRC[Fund RaisingJob Retention& SponsorshipScteme «dC| SSCSCSCS~«0.00) [vc|____0.00] [0g|__— 0.00 [|a)8.00 p29po250.00]
lotrerincome | [oy | od | as. P2086
Sub fotal(Gross income for AR)|___seazaag Pag P09 [s.29
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see+ table).
A3 Payments
‘aaa [v9 [009 ‘aTea7
a [0.09 [0.00 a
Pupkely sc wsthe |[009od |0.0
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[209 [00 pase.
Sub total 62,968.09 2.09 P 0.09 62,965.86
0.00
purchases, (see table
Subtotal|_____—-00 L800) P20 [0.00] Pg
Total payments 62,363.86 62,363.86 62,387.96
AS Net ofreceipts/((payments) 3,858.39 | 9.00) | 8.00) ot ee
A6 Transfers between funds [0.09 [__ 0.09 [__ 0.09 559] ee
CashCash funds fundslast yearthis end year end| 3,858.39).00) || __(0.00}2.00) || 0.00}0.00) 11,566.2715,424.66] P11,11,566.27852.29)
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4
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; i Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment funds
; funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds er) eT)
Total Lo. _a eda
cash funds a) a)
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Fund to which . Current value
erat asset belongs Gast (eptional) (optional)
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Fund to which ‘ Current vatue
: asset belonos Cost (optional) fontional)
B4 Assets retained for a)
the charity’s own use | tA |
Fund to which Amount due When due (optional)
f liability relates (optional)
_ —
Signed by one or two trustees : Signature Ai Print Name Date of approval
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