A Charitable Incorporated Organisation ## **Report and Financial Statements Year ending 31[st] March 2021 Charity Number: 1188662** Palace Theatre Oxford Street Manchester M1 6FT ## **Trustees** Sensitivity: Internal Use |**Name**|**Date of appointment**| |---|---| |Thomas Aaron Kirk|01 August 2021| |Hollie Coxon|01 August 2021| |Pippa Campbell|19 July 2021| |Kui Man Gerry Yeung OBE DL|01 August 2021| |Julian Woolford|01 August 2021| |Anthony Hallwood|17 March 2020| |Chris Keady|01 August 2021| |Claire Louise Rick|01 August 2021| |Peter Robertson|01 August 2021| ## **Purpose of the CIO** The PT&OH Trust (the Trust) is an independent trust working to advance education, arts and culture by supporting educational and participatory activities inspired by the programmes, history and heritage of the Palace Theatre & Opera House Manchester. Our vision is to bring the Palace Theatre & Opera House back into the heart of the city and the lives of its people. To re-ignite Manchester’s long love affair with two of its oldest and most famous theatrical buildings. We will open up these theatres and what goes on in them. We will transform them into the places where a new generation of Mancunians can play, learn, explore and discover what theatre and performance means for them. ATG is the owner and operator of the Palace Theatre & Opera House. ATG supports the work of the PT&OH Trust through providing access to its facilities and liaising with the PT&OH Trust through attendance at regular meetings to help ensure the carrying out of the PT&OH Trust’s objectives as outlined in its constitutional documents. ## **Objectives:** - Open up the two historic theatres to local people through increasing daytime access and creating dynamic educational heritage projects. - Deliver raft of new educational and participatory activities for people of all ages, inspired by the programme of West End and Broadway musicals, drama and dance. - Increase the opportunities for schools, students and young people, to learn more about the business of theatre, the creative and technical production processes. Sensitivity: Internal Use - In accordance with our equal opportunity best practice, to optimise the experience for anyone with health, disability or additional learning requirements or for those who may need financial assistance and/or socially accompanied visits - Launch a new Youth Theatre & Young Company within the buildings, enabling opportunities for young Mancunians to perform, produce and see musical theatre and dance. ## **Achievements** As a result of Covid-19, the Palace and Opera House were closed from March 2020 (when the CIO was established) until August 2021. Therefore, activity and output was put on hold for the entirely of the period this report covers. ## **Note on Finances** A donation of £10,000 was received from the Michael Bishop Foundation. Due to lack of activity as outlined above, the sole outgoing was a £5 banking charge. ## **Future plans** Both theatres re-opened in August 2021 and at the same time a full board of Trustees was successfully appointed following an open and thorough recruitment process, with applicants drawn from across the cultural, heritage, education and business communities. This board is now fully established and following the re-opening of both theatres, will start to work on making our vision and mission a reality. As part of inducting these trustees, we will draw on the experience of other trusts ATG work alongside to establish our ways of working and replicate any models of best practice. Our first action is to establish a dedicated Creative Learning department within the Manchester Theatres and through that department to develop a full-time creative learning and community programme inspired by the Palace Theatre & Opera House, the programme and heritage of the two theatres. Recruitment for the post is live as of January 2022. We aspire to play a significant role in our local cultural ecology and in connecting these historic theatres to the communities in which they sit. New programmes and projects will enable anyone who is curious about what we do to come and explore our unique theatres, gain a greater insight into the productions, develop their own creative talents, and give access to workforce of industry professionals. Sensitivity: Internal Use Therefore, we will be focusing on three key areas: **‘Creative Generation’** – projects with schools to support creativity across the curriculum to support the mental health & wellbeing of pupils and teachers. **‘Co – Creation’** – Working in partnership to create work, space, or projects to address a specific need and demand locally. This could include working with older residents or those with mental health challenges or supporting a local artist collective with space to meet or work in. – **‘Talent pipeline’** Support and nurture the next generation of performers and industry workforce through our weekly youth theatres, holiday projects, masterclasses, and careers insights events. There will be a strong focus on working with visiting show producers to support the delivery of wrap around activities linked to and inspired by the shows in the Palace and Opera House to help connect with new and existing audiences. Diversity and inclusion will carry specific targets in our planning, increasing engagement with those from underrepresented groups within our participants and freelance team. The Trust will focus on transformational projects which will have the greatest impact, open up and welcome less advantaged groups and bring the theatres back to the heart of the city. Sensitivity: Internal Use