STAMFORD PANTOMIME PLAYERS
ANNUAL CHARITY’S REPORT
Chairman’s Report
Trustees Report
NODA Review of Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs
NODA Review of Little Mermaid Jr
Independent Examiner’s Report
Finance Sheets 2023 – 2024
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Stamford Pantomime Players
Chairmans Report 2024/25
Firstly, we remember and show our respects to a much-loved past member of the society in Mr Michael Lee who died in 2024. Mick was a member of the society for many years and contributed in abundance to the society both on and off stage, helping the society get where we are today. I would like to remember all those past members and current ones who have suffered with ill health and are on the road to recovery or those that are just in need of some pantomime support.
I would like to thank all our members for attending the AGM and for your support during what has been another successful year for SPP and we look forward to hearing of those successes in my report.
I would like to thank the Corn Exchange theatre for allowing us to hold our AGM in the theatre, as always we enjoy their support.
I am immensely proud of what we achieve and how we keep attracting new members to come and perform with our society especially with the increasing show competition locally, and the high standard of shows all around us. We are still able to produce quality shows for audiences to come and see over summer and Christmas time. That said, all of this cannot be done without the help of our volunteers and the support of the committee.
I would like to say a massive congratulations to the society for being nominated for not one, but two NODA awards again this year. The NODA awards are being held in Stevenage and several members of the society will be representing SPP at these awards. We are nominated for Best Pantomime for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Best Youth Production for the Little Mermaid Jr, we will all be waiting for news from the awards to share with our wider members after the awards on the 11th May.
The start of our successful year saw our younger members of the society take on The Little Mermaid Jr, which was directed once again by Poppy Brewster and Charlotte McAllister. This show started off the year with great audiences and once again, we beat our ticket sale target from the previous year, having 899 tickets sold, continuing our ongoing improvement for audiences coming to watch our summer shows. Congratulations to Poppy and Charlotte for directing their second summer show and for making it another a great success, our society is in great hands with the amount of new talent on stage within this production.
We presented the Roger Sismey memorial trophy to Samatha Bix who showed great support during the show. We now look forward to welcoming Moana Jr to the stage for this forthcoming summer with directors again being Poppy Brewster and Charlotte McAllister. Rehearsals are going well, and I can already see great potential and some great new cast members who have taken on leading roles
We had a total of 134 auditionees for Moana Jr our summer show – this just shows the success and standing in the community that our society has with the standard being very high again this year.
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This year we took on 9 shows for our Christmas Pantomime of Snow White, we performed three shows prior to Christmas and 6 afterwards.
In 2024/25 we welcomed Justine McGarrity for her first Director role for SPP and she was assisted by Niall McGarrity producing their choice of show in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. What another wonderful success it was! Justine & Niall were assisted this year with new choreographers in Katie Sargent and supported by Maddy Long. Costumes were once again wonderfully selected by Nicola Sandall using our range of costumes which were all well received.
My thanks to Hannah Stewart who once again took on the role as Musical Director for the second time, and helped the cast produce great songs and music once again, Hannah was supported by band members in John, Martin and Mark with the addition this year of Duncan playing the piano.
We again raised additional income during show weeks, selling pre-show merchandise to the audience which also helped support the show, our thanks to our Marketing member, Lisa Holmes who sourced items and recruited helpers to assist with the sales during each performance.
On completion of our 9 shows we totaled 2742 tickets in all compared with last year’s ticket sales of 3139 the previous year with 8 shows. Noting the lower ticket sales does not mean less income as additional profit was made due to ticket prices being slightly increased last year.
Once again, additional thanks to those who took on additional roles to support the society this year in selling rehearsal and show sweets those helping to sell merchandise and assisting with membership fee collections at rehearsals.
Following both shows we conducted our usual charity bucket collection, collecting a grand total of £2121.27 and donating this to Bumps and Beyond, our nominated charity recipient of the year.
The committee, society and I look forward to continuing our working relationship with the theatre for our upand-coming productions in 2025/26 and beyond.
Our annual presentation of the Roger Sismey Memorial Cup for our Christmas production was presented to Anna Taylor for having a positive attitude from the very beginning and growing massively in confidence, she worked on her character throughout the rehearsal process.
Certificates were also presented to Most Improved Dancers for the Seniors, Intermediates & Juniors in Jasmine Hunt, Orlaith Heames and Amber Braint respectively. Chorus members were presented with certificates to Ava Armstrong for being Best New Member, Millie Temperly for being the Most Enthusiastic chorus member and Scarlett Streather for being the Most Improved chorus member.
Well done to all those winners, this year we will continue to present awards such as these following the next summer show and pantomime. We have now introduced a keepsake which will be presented to the Roger Sismey cup winners to retain.
We hosted two After show parties, one at Ketton Sports and Community Club and one at the Zeeco Stadum in Stamford, both were again very successful evenings with special thanks to Brendan & Justine McGarrity, Kevin Paige and the rest of the team for preparing/cooking the food.
Our thanks to both venues and we look forward to holding our next two after-show parties at Ketton Sports and Community Club, who continue to support SPP with their offer of facilities for our parties.
As I bring my report to a close, I would personally like to thank the tireless hard work of the committee who are fully committed to moving the society forward for the benefit of our fantastic local community and our wider SPP family.
Malcolm Holmes Chairman Stamford Pantomime Players
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Trustees Report to 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Stamford Pantomime Players Charity number 1184171
Public Benefit, Main Activities & Purpose of the Charity
Our activities are to promote the art of Drama for the public benefit by the delivery of development workshops and engagements sessions to produce and present live shows.
Application of Income & Property
The income and property of the charity shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects.
Trustees
Trustees are required as a result of Stamford Pantomime Players being a Registered Charity.
The Trustees are responsible for the general overview, management and compliance of the administration of the Charity status, not the management of the Society and the Committee.
The Trustees of the Charity are:
Mr Malcolm Holmes Mrs Justine McGarrity Mr Brendan McGarrity
Independent Examiner
Mr Andrew Constable
Having considered the operation of the Charity, it is the opinion of the Trustees that the Charity is being properly administered and that the audited accounts are in order.
Stamford Pantomime Players remains strongly supported by its members and was nominated and awarded ‘Best Pantomime’ in our region for Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs 2024/2025 and nominated for ‘Best Youth Production’ for The Little Mermaid Jr in 2024 by NODA.
The Trustees are constantly considering the balance between the ever-increasing costs of production and the quality of the shows that are delivered to the public. We have to remain mindful of the cost-of-living challenges faced by our paying public and the members who the society to be in the shows. Stamford Pantomime Players remains one of the most affordable performance groups to join in the local area and indeed enjoys a wide demographic of society members from the Stamford and surrounding villages.
The committee and members support local events and wider charities with their performances and fund raising and we thank all those involved in Stamford Pantomime Players in order to meet the charitable aims.
Malcolm Holmes Chairman and Trustee Justine McGarrity Treasurer and Trustee Brendan McGarrity Vice Chairman and Trustee
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NODA REVIEW
| Production | : Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs |
|---|---|
| Society | : Stamford Pantomime Players |
| Director | : Justine McGarrity |
| Assistant Director | : Niall McGarrity |
| Musical Director | : Hannah Stewart |
| Choreographer | : Katie Sargeant and Maddy Long |
| Date | : 28thDecember 2024 |
| Venue | : Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre |
Snow White was popular this year, I had seen a version in Dereham the previous day, and the previous week in Wisbech. It’s interesting how many different variations there are, and the Directors take on how the show runs. Stamford Pantomime Players were no different in giving a different opening slant, as the curtains opened on the Mirror Room we were presented with a full chorus of Cowboys/girls singing Texas Hold ‘Em. This was an entertaining and surreal opening number (considering the show’s title) but well sung and choregraphed with the youngsters holding places and movement pretty well in step.
What I quite liked about this production was that although the large chorus was all youngsters there was three dance groups, Junior, Intermediate and Senior dancers who each had their own independent dance routines and sequences. I was particularly struck by the quality of the Senior Dancers with their numbers ‘The Promise’, Born This Way’ and ‘Once Upon a December’.
We were quickly introduced to the adult principals, Charlotte as the Spirit of the Mirror also doubled as Bertie, she gave us a glittery and silver mirror with good clear dialogue as she enjoyed stepping into and away from the mirror which was permanently placed downstage left. In the mirror she could be clearly seen, but this also became a dark reflective mirror when she had stepped out. As both characters she worked well with her fellow cast members and had two good numbers with ‘The Lazy Song’ and ‘On Top of the World’, a good lively role. I shouldn’t really say this but Nicola quite suited the role of the Wicked Queen, a different type of role for her which she seemed to relish, sweeping around the stage and snarling at the audience, a good sequence with the senior dancers in ‘Born this Way’ and an entertaining relationship with the Harry the Huntsman who was madly in love with Snow White. Harry was well played by Poppy B and interacted well with Dani as Snow White, the two of them having two well sung duets, one with the senior dance troupe ‘The Promise’ and one with the intermediate troupe ‘One Kiss’. Both actresses performed their roles well and Dani sounded and looked the part of Snow White in her costume. There was an energetic rendition of ‘The Boy does Nothing’ and she had a nice solo with ‘Because of You’.
Every pantomime must have a dame and here we had Kevin as Old Ma Bumble with the traditional outrageous costumes and wigs, these were carried off very well by Kevin making the most of his lines and gags and leading numbers with the dwarfs ‘Consider Yourself’ and the big number ‘I’m so Excited’. The Dame carries a lot of expectations and Kevin carried this off well assisted by Charlotte and the at times by the hapless Billy Botchit and Lenny Leggit, respectively Flo and Carrie. This duo had the task of being the butt of jokes and being entertainingly hopeless, the repartee flowed, but not I felt, always as quickly as desired as I thought the audience didn’t warm to their antics (but this might just have been me). There were cameos from Jonathan as King Cuthbert and Anna as The Old Hag. The switch between The Old Hag and the Queen was very imaginatively done with the swirling, rotating dance, a little girl sat next to me and said to her Mum, “how did they do that?’ the answer was one word, Magic. Finally, we had the dwarfs – Fred, Hippy, Zippy, Dippy, Sarky, Clumsy and Junior, respectively Millie, Olivia, Poppy S, Hannah, Nieve, Leo and Nancy. These seven played their
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roles well, being well drilled and giving an entertaining ‘Consider Yourself’ as well as ‘I’m so Excited’.
The music for the show was of a great quality, good to have live music with the small band led by Hannah Stewart, who as musical director was, I presume, responsible for the quality of the singing throughout. This was a lively entertaining show throughout, great audience participation especially looking after the giant soft toy panda, neatly switched for a life size panda (thanks Justine). There were great costumes for all the cast, even 40 odd cowboy hats in the opening, lovely and sparkly for Bertie, dramatic for the Queen, traditional green for the Huntsman and good variety for the Dame, Billy and Lenny. All the chorus and dancers were well dressed. Lighting and sound were good, there were good cloths and plenty of space. The choreography and direction were such that the stage never seemed overcrowded even in the opening number, the closing of Act 1 and the grand finale. The backstage crew as ever were efficient with smooth scene changes. So well done to all especially first-time directors’ mother and son Justine and Niall.
Leslie Judd
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved
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NODA REVIEW
| Production | : Little Mermaid Jr |
|---|---|
| Society | : Stamford Pantomime Players |
| Director | : Charlotte McAllister and Poppy Brewster |
| Vocal Coach | : Hannah Stewart |
| Date | : 7thJuly 2024 |
| Venue | : Stamford Corn Exchange |
Right from the opening number I realised that we were going to be in for a good show, there was good strong singing from the principals right from the start. This was evident with the singing of Ryan Swanborough as the Pilot in ‘Fathoms Below’, he was joined by Leo Saville as Grimsby and Barney Cooper as Prince Eric, these three gave us this good opening number together with a chorus of sailors filling the stage with movement colour and sound. This was the only number for Ryan and he made the most of it, his characterisation was also good. Leo had one other number ‘The Contest’ which was also good, he also worked well on stage and gave a polished performance working with Barney’s Prince Eric. Barney has grown in confidence over the last few shows I have seen him in, his singing is good and he has a good presence on stage, a confident and strong performance. A young man who smiles on stage he had a good rapport with Ariel and gave us a nice performance with ‘One Step Closer’. The other principal male was Otto Forkin, hiding towards the rear of the chorus but he came to life as French chef Louis giving the audience a very entertaining performance of ‘Les Poissons’ having practiced his French accent there was good energy and timing.
With the principal females, there was a very strong line-up, headed by Isla Joyce as Ariel. She gave us a very strong rendition (twice) of Part of Your World, this was a well performed role, a lot of Ariel’s role comprised movement, finding her legs, being able to walk and having lost her voice having to act out her emotions, this was well done. A good rapport with Prince Eric, I loved the scene in the boat when Ariel tried to attract Eric’s attention, well-acted. She also had a good rapport with her friends Scuttle, Flounder and Sebastian, played respectively by Chloe Banham, Phoebe ChickHolland and Millie Jackson. These three were very well cast and played their characters well. Chloe gave an excellent rendition of ‘Human Stuff’ along with her fellow seagulls, clear dialogue with good movement on stage, entertained the audience well. Phoebe also excelled with ‘She’s in Love’ entertaining us alongside the Mersisters, these two girls were outdone by Millie as Sebastian, but mainly as she had two songs – ‘Under the Sea’ and ‘Kiss that Girl’ both of which were strongly sung. As I said these three were well cast, portrayed their characters well and oozed confidence in their performances. No songs for King Triton, however Jasmine Hunt gave a good performance, showing his love and softness for his daughter, but also displaying disappointment and anger as the role required, finally disposing of Ursula.
Carmen Stones gave us an outstanding performance as Ursula, this was helped by her very effective make-up and magnificent costume, but it was her vocals that brought this wicked sea witch to life. I can still hear her song ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ reverberating around the theatre. Ursula was ably supported by Flotsam and Jetsam, Pippa Challis and Hannah Collins who were also suitably wicked. The speaking role of Carlotta was nicely played by Amelia-Rose Tatum.
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All these principals were supported by a large cast, including the 6 Mersisters and the 6 Princesses. All these youngsters filled the stage with colour, sound and movement, the singing was good throughout the show. If anything lacked it was the volume of dialogue and song from some of the youngsters who were hampered by the fact that the principals were mic’d and they were not. There were some big show numbers well-choreographed with good synchronicity even with the youngest cast members such as ‘Fathoms Below’, ‘Under the Sea’, ‘The Storm’, ‘Les Poissons’ and more with a rousing finale ‘Part of Your World’. There was a lot of hard work put into creating all the matching costumes, good make-up and good props, particularly the boat. The use of a digital back cloth allows instant scene changes and the exits and entrances onto stage were very slick and smooth considering the number of youngsters on stage.
This was a well performed and produced show greatly appreciated by the audience. Only made possible by a very large back stage team. Congratulations to Charlotte and Poppy.
Leslie Judd
© NODA CIO. All rights reserved
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examlner's report on the accounts Section A Indepèndènt Examlnor's Report Roport to thg trustees STAMFORD PANTOMIME PLAYERS On accounts for the yoar end•d 28 FEBRUARY 2025 Charity no {If any) 1184171 Set out on paggs l TepDrt to Ihg Iruslees on my examination of the accoun15 of the above harily I'lhe Trust") for the year 8nded 281 ozi2025. As the charitys trustees, ycsu are responsible for the preparation of the a¢counls in accordance with the requirements ol the Charities Act 2011 I'the Acl'l. Rosponsibilitle$ and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have fr>llowed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515Xbl of the Act. Independent examinerfs statement -app. Delete I l if not appliGable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come lo rny attention in connection with the examination {etk8Fl. I1") which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the a¢¢ounling records were not kept in accordance with sectioa 130 of the Charities Ad.. or the accounts éid not accord with Ihe accounting records.. or the a¢¢ounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities {A¢counts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. "I hav8 no ¢on¢ems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which allenlion should be drawn in this reFX)rt in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. Pleas he words in the brackets if fhey do not apply. Signed.. Dato: Name: ANDREW CONSTABLE Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body IER Oct 2018
Ilf any): Addr•s$: -j Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight material matters ol concern {see CC32, Independent examination of charity ac¢ounls.- directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief dgtall$ of any itsms that tho examinèr wSsh•s to disclos•. IER Oct 2018 10
Stamford Pantomime Players Income & Expenses of Accounts from 1 March 2024 - 28 February 2025 rting Balance £59.856.66 INCOME EXPENSES Interest £792.83 Auditor Gifts 202212023 Barnack EON Elec BaaCk Insurance NODA Sub5 Lloyd & While Ins Refreshment Expenses SKDC Lottery Licence sumup Charges Wardrobe Hire Website uniform-Shirt Purchases BJS Newslellers Prinling Dame Coslume Purchases Xmas Tree in Church PCC Bus Rates NODA Vehicle Fuel NODA Awards Van TLM Expenditure Panto Expenditure Meeting Room Hire Treasurer Printer Ink Sukies Costumes12023} Batteries etc Key Cutting Aladdin Costumes (Lalel Mic Licence Ofcom Moana LinCe NY Party Corn Exch Quiz Expenses 100/0 Merch Donation NYE Bar Staff £100.00 £208.62 £99.95 £245.00 £1,330.27 £1,006.81 £20.00 £33.31 £1.800.00 £43.19 £666.46 £115.00 £500.00 £22.00 £466.84 £40.00 £300.00 £9,211.97 £23,549.29 £217.20 £58.76 £54.00 £85.38 £8.00 £16.50 £135.00 £735.00 £29.25 £163.80 £50.85 £100.00 Membership Sale of Old MIG. Hiring of Mics Sealon £3,170.00 £450.00 £1,200.00 Refreshments & Misc Income £1,802.80 Unifomi Income £1,050.45 to Income £42,100.78 TLM Income £11,847.31 Stamford Round Table Donation £500.00 Quiz Ticket Income £175.00 Total Income £63,089.17 Total Expenses £41.412.45 SPP Total Profrt £21,676.72 TOTAL REMIWNING YEAR ENO £81,533.38
2024 12025 Pantomlmo- Snow Whlte Accounts INCOME Sale ol Tickels bl CETC Box Office Fees EXPENSES Lazy Bee Script Rights Rugby Club Hi Scenery Show Advertising MD Progiamme Prinling Band Costumes Sound Tech Barn Hill Rehearsal Rms Theatre Hire PRS (Perfoming Srdeiy Dam8 Mak&up Theatrical Pyros 91 Props Merchandise Novelties Audien¢e Part'n Sweets Batteries Barkèr Sign5 Banner Rd SignslPoslerslPull-up FlowerslGifts Various Printing Xmas Tree Pics Song 8ookslScripls Audition Printing Rd Sign Printing Schedu18s & Finale Song Read Thro. Script Bar Tab PnDled Lists. Certs & TY CArd$ Aftershow Food etc Aftershow Oisco Aftershow Printing Band Scores Li £41,534.00 £3.322.72 £930.00 £300.00 £6,471.02 £1.094.40 £1,338.75 £955.00 £500.00 £1.630.47 £645 30 £1,219.00 £4,837.50 £382.11 £111.65 £155.45 £167.32 £764.10 £125.96 £15.99 £416.00 £214.00 £237.05 £38.00 £11.00 £167.00 £82.60 £123.00 £23.00 £65.00 £18 50 £87.00 £276.12 £100.00 £27.00 £20.00 Ti¢kel Sales less B-O Fees £38.211.28 Programme Sponsorship Programmes Sold12251 Adverts Invoiced x121£7401 £1.000.00 £675.00 Tolal received lo date Merchandise Sales Icard & Cashl Aftershow Raffle Card & Cash Aftershow Ticket Sales £740.00 £910.50 £198.00 £366.00 Total Income £42,100.78 Total Expensès £23,$49.29 Snow White Profit 202412025 Aladdin Profit 2023124 Cinderella Profit 2022123 Jack & The Beanstalk Profil 2021122 Dick Whittington Profit 2019120 Sleeping Beauty Profil 2018119 Beauty & The Beast Profit 2017118 Snow White Profit 2016117 £18,551.49 £13,921.68 £13,750.69 £2,941.10 £3,934.93 £3,186.64 £4,432.00 £6.615.83 12
2024 12025 Summer Show- Th• Llttl• Merm8ld Ac¢ount• INCOME Sale ol Tickels by CETC1699 @£11.50) Less Box Office Fees 7°/0 EXPENSE8 £10.J38 50 £723.69 Scenery Costumes Rehearsal Room - Barnhill Programme Printing Thealre Hiro Props Rights Projection Software Performing Royalties TLM Pull Up Banngr Lellers & SchediJl8 Ajshow TiGkelslPoslers Song W05Cnpl51A FoTms TLM Posters Certs & Thanks Cards Leafl&ls & Docs FloweT51GIfts Road Signs Batteries Aftershow Food etc Aftershow Disco Aftershow Raffle Prize £290.25 £864.89 £1,237.00 £233 00 £2.971.80 £186.89 £735.00 £9.614.81 Programmes Sold1150 @£21 Adverts Invoiced157@ £1601 Merch Sold x 104 Batons TLM DVD income ?? Show Sponsorship Evolution £300.00 £160.00 £246.50 £446.59 IPw#L•*m2YI41 £1.000.00 £1.846.04 £41.00 £37.78 £20.00 £161.00 £285.00 £19.00 £21.00 £63.50 £84 00 £31 98 £266.30 £100.00 £4.95 After5W Tid(el Salès Cash & Cartl Aftershow Rafflè Cash & Card £380.00 £146.00 Total Incom £11,847.31 Total Exp•nses £9.946.97 Less t735 paid in pwous year £9,211.97 The Little Mennald 2024 HSM 2023 Annie Loss 2022 Through Ihe Decades 2021 Loss Treasure Island Loss 2019 Pinocchio Loss 2018 Joseph Loss 2017 Dracula Spectacular Loss 2016 Bugsy Malone £1,900.34 £144.49 -£2.237.02 -£333.90 -£2.017.62 -£489.37 -£2.077.33 -£3.360.57 -£1.844.27 13
2024 12025 Refreshments A¢¢ounts & Misc Functlons comè REFRESHMENTS Expensès REFRESHMENTS Total sale of sweets, food, tea coffe@, durin rehearsals and show week £1,802.80 Total BookerlH Bazaar swee15 & refreshments urchased & show food £795.99 £1,006.81 olal ro In¢omè MSscellaneous enses Misc•llan•ous £0.00 olal ro £0.00 nd total ol Income £1,802.80 Grand total of Expenses £1,006.81 Total profit for the year = £795.99 14
202412025 Mlscellaneous Accounts {Clothlng & Charlty) Incom• T-SHIRTS Ex T-SHIRTS en88s Sal8 of T4hirts to cast £1.050.45 Pur¢ha$8 of cast 8 committee T.Shirt$ £666.46 PROFIT = £383.99 Incom• CHARITY FUND RAISING ens8S CHARITY DONATIONS Charity Collection @ TLM Charity Collectiori @ Snow WhSle £328.74 £1,792.53 Bumps & B6yond Charity Oonatson £2,121.27 Total Cdlthd £2.121.27 g2,121.27 Difference £0.00 15