GOLDEN TOAD THEATRE COMPANY Report and Financial Statements
Year ending 31 March 2025 Charity number 1183754
Overall objectives and activities
The charitable purpose of Golden Toad Theatre Company is to advance education for the public benefit by the promotion of the arts, in particular but not exclusively the art of drama. This is carried out through the creation and production of musical theatre of the highest quality for children, young people and their families, and the commissioning and production of related educational/ enrichment resources. Workshops, resources and activities are made available to the public free of charge, with specific targeting in low arts access areas. Where appropriate Golden Toad works with local authorities and schools to bring performances to low income families at a subsidised rate.
Mission statement
We create and stage imaginative, vibrant, musical theatre of the highest quality for children and families.
Core beliefs
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All children and their families deserve access to high quality theatre
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• The best theatre provides the opportunity for its audience to explore their beliefs, desires, impulses and understand their place in the world we inhabit.
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Education and entertainment are not mutually exclusive!
Aims
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We want to develop new musical theatre work of the highest quality for children and families
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We want our work to reflect and explore the feelings and concerns of our audiences
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We want to inspire all children and their families, regardless of location or family circumstances
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We want our audiences to investigate the themes of our work outside the theatre
Objectives
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A. We will develop shows for children and family audiences with the same time, care and attention that adult musical theatre receives (Aim 1)
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B. We will work with talented professional creatives with a proven track record in their area of expertise (Aim 1)
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C. We will work on stage adaptations of books and stories that are relevant to our audiences (Aim 2)
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D. We will not underestimate the potential of our young audiences to understand and grapple with complex ideas and emotions (Aim 1+2)
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E. We will create work that is not reliant on solely traditional theatre spaces (Aim 2+3)
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F. We will tour our work across the UK to a variety of venues encompassing both traditional and non-traditional theatre spaces, community venues and schools (Aim 3)
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G. We will build relationships with international theatres and companies with a long term view to international touring (Aim 3)
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H. We will work with schools, councils and theatres to actively promote access to our work for all. (Aim 3)
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I. We will develop activities, workshops, supplementary materials and apps that explore the stories and themes in our work (Aim 4)
Objectives & achievements for 2024-25
| Objective | Achievements against objective |
|---|---|
| 1. Third tour of ERROL’S GARDEN (overall objective A, B, C, D, E, F, H) |
ERROL’S GARDEN toured to a variety of UK venues, ranging from traditional theatre venues to the botanic gardens in Attenborough Arts Centre, in Summer 2024. |
| 2. Offer age-appropriate gardening workshops alongside ERROL’S GARDEN production (overall objective B,C,E,I) |
BigFoot Arts Education have developed and rolled out educational workshops for ERROL’S GARDEN, which are able to run alongside or independently of performances. • These workshops are part of the BigFoot workshop offering, which is primarily be focused on schools, • These workshops enable us to provide a more cost appropriate ERROL’S GARDEN offering to schools enquiring about private performances |
| 3. Audio adaptation of ERROL’S GARDEN (overall objective A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H) |
ERROL’S GARDEN was adapted for audio in partnership with Small Wardour. • This audio adaptation will enable us to reach a much wider and international audience. |
| 4. Further exploitation of ERROL’S GARDEN internationally (overall objective A, B, D, F, G) |
• We are in early discussions with Broadway Licensing to license ERROL’S GARDEN |
| 5. Development & tour of MISS MOORE THOUGHT OTHERWISE (overall objective A, B, C, D, E, F, H) |
• This objective was not achieved as our ACE funding application for a wider tour of MISS MOORE was unsuccessful. We will continue to explore suitable funding models for library touring. |
| 6. Raise funds to allow continued growth of charity and execution of objectives |
• While in 2024-25 our core revenue streams were from charitable grants and Arts Council England, we also saw our first royalty payments, which we hope will continue to grow in the future. |
| 7. Nurture & build ongoing relationships within the industry (objectives A, B & F) |
In 2024-25 we continued our relationships with BigFoot Arts Education, DEM Productions and Sutton (SLC). We enjoyed developing a new relationship in the childrens audio world with Small Wardour. |
Performance report
ERROL’S GARDEN toured the UK between July-August 2024. This was a postponed tour from 2023. A particular highlight was selling out two performances at Greenwich Theatre, a new venue for Golden Toad productions. DEM Productions were once again general managers on this tour.
In Spring 2024 we adapted and recorded ERROL’S GARDEN as an audio version. This is are a new creative area for Golden Toad, and we were delighted to work with Small Wardour, an award winning children’s audio consultancy and production company, on creation and production. Release and distribution will be covered in the 2025-26 report.
Development of MISS MOORE THOUGHT OTHERWISE remains frustrating due to a difficult public funding environment. We will continue to explore how we can make this small scale library production viable in future years.
In the financial year 2023-24, Golden Toad Theatre was grateful to receive funding from ACE and an anonymous donor. We also received royalty payments from licensing ERROL’S GARDEN to Singapore Repertory Theatre and for schools workshops through BigFoot Arts.
In March 2025 we were delighted to welcome Sarah Ward onto the board of trustees. Matthew Peter Carter continues in the role of Chair of trustees.
Financial Review
In the financial year 2024-25, Golden Toad Theatre was grateful to receive funding from Arts Council England and an anonymous donor. We also received royalty payments from licensing ERROL’S GARDEN to Singapore Repertory Theatre and for schools workshops through BigFoot Arts.
Golden Toad ended the financial year in a stable position, with just over £22,000 remaining at the end of the period. The main financial outlay was on the summer 2024 tour of ERROL’S GARDEN, which accounted for 99% of expenditure.
The trustees have set a reserves policy of 5% of income.
Structure, Governance and Management
Golden Toad Theatre Company is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and governed by its constitution dated 12 August 2019. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. Trustees are appointed by the existing trustees, having regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of Golden Toad Theatre. The trustees are keen to increase the diversity of the board, particularly in terms of gender, age and ethnicity. The maximum number of trustees is 12.
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name: Golden Toad Theatre Company Charity number: 1183754 Registered address: 49 Station Road, Polegate, East Sussex, BN26 6EA
Trustees:
Robert Barbaro Gemma Baxter Matthew Carter (Chair) Rebecca Jeetoo Sarah Ward
Directors:
Jen Green Caroline Wigmore
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Full name: Matthew Carter Position: Chair Date:
| Golden Toad Theatre Company | Golden Toad Theatre Company | Golden Toad Theatre Company | Golden Toad Theatre Company | Golden Toad Theatre Company | 1183754 | 1183754 | CC16a | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | |||||||||
| For the period from |
4/1/24 | To | 3/31/25 | ||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | |||||
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||
| Grants | 7,024 | 2,990 | - | 10,014 | - | ||||
| Royalty payments | 563 | - | - | 563 | - | ||||
| Misc | 60 | - | - | 60 | - | ||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total_(Gross income for AR) _ | 7,647 |
2,990 | - | 10,637 | - | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). | |||||||||
| - 0 | - 0 | - 0 | - | ||||||
| - 0 | - 0 | - 0 | - | - 0 | |||||
| Sub total | - 0 |
- 0 | - 0 | - | - 0 | ||||
| **Total receipts ** | 7,647 |
2,990 | - 0 | 10,637 | - 0 | ||||
| A3 Payments | |||||||||
| Central costs (including equipment purchase) | 214 | - | 214 | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | ||||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - 0 | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 214 |
- | - | 214 | - | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||||
| - 0 | - | ||||||||
| Errol’s Garden (costs incurred on behalf of Golden Toad Productions) |
29,942 | - 0 | 29,942 | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | 29,942 |
- 0 | - 0 | 29,942 | - 0 | ||||
| **Totalpayments ** | 30,155 |
- 0 | - 0 | 30,155 | - 0 | ||||
| **Net of receipts/(payments) ** | - 22,509 |
2,990 | - | - 19,519 |
- | ||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - 0 | - | - | - | - | ||||
| A6 Cash funds lastyear end | 11,697 | 29,990 | - | 41,687 | - | ||||
| **Cash funds this year end ** | - 10,812 |
32,980 | - | 22,168 | - | ||||
| Section B Statement of assets | and liabilities at the end of | the period | |||||||
| Categories | Details | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Endowment funds |
|||||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||||||
| B1 Cash funds | Co-Op Bank Account | 22,168 | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| Total cash funds | 22,168 | - | - | ||||||
| (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
Agreement Error | OK | |||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Endowment funds |
|||||||
| Details | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ |
12/12/2023
CCXX R accounts (SS)1
1
| B2 Other monetary assets | - | - | - | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | |||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
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| B3 Investment assets | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
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| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Laptop | 390 | - | ||||||
| Speakers | 1,155 | - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Details | Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due (optional) |
When due (optional) |
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| B5 Liabilities | - | ||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Print Name | Date of approval | ||||||
| Matthew Peter Carter | |||||||||
12/12/2023
CCXX R accounts (SS)2
2