2023-09-30-accounts

TROUBADOUR STAGEWORKS

Annual Return and Trustee Report

1 October 2022- 30 September 2023

1. Objectives and Activities

1.1. Statements of Constitutional Objectives

The charitable purposes of Troubadour Stageworks are:

To advance education for the public benefit in the performing arts in particular but not exclusively by writing, designing and delivering a range of events in the theatrical and dramatic arts, through hosting indoor and outdoor performances:

1. To promote and facilitate high standards in the creation of theatre and the arts.

2. To promote greater awareness and public education of all styles, forms, traditions and variants of the dramatic arts.

3. To develop public appreciation of the arts through the presentation.

1.2. Activities undertaken within the financial period

• 1.2.1. In 2023 we ran two national tours of Romeo and Juliet and The Odyssey across the width of the UK, from Cornwall to London.

• 1.2.2. We worked with St Nicholas Priory to produce a comprehensive program of plays, activities and facilitation workshops for the local Exeter community, particularly for children.

• 1.2.3. We worked with The Fleet Street Quarter to produce a new play celebrating the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio. Fix the Folio made its debut in the City of London in June 2023 and will be part of our accessibility program moving forwards as an easy way to introduce Shakespeare in rural and remote communities.

• 1.2.4. We began the preparation for a new holistic programme of workshops and performances, which we hope to debut on The Isles of Scilly in 2024.

1.3. Public Benefit

• 1.3.1. Our productions of Much Ado About Nothing, In the Stones, Romeo and Juliet, The Odyssey and Fix the Folio were recognised for their imaginative conception and performance.

• 1.3.2. A fundamental goal of the charity is to establish and maintain arts programs in communities that have had little or no prior experience with such events. Around 65% of our venues had never hosted this kind of live event before working with us, and so we guide them through the process, thereby opening up future possibilities of cultural activities in local areas where before there had been nothing.

• 1.3.3. The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing their aims and objectives and planning future activities. Specifically, our commitment to broad accessibility and to affordable education projects shaped our ticketing and pricing policy as we planned for a financially stable going concern.

2. Achievements and Performance

2.1. Theatre Presentation

• 2.1.1. We adapted and toured Romeo and Juliet to eight locations across Surrey, London, Wiltshire, Devon, Sussex and Hampshire.

• 2.1.2. We adapted and toured The Odyssey to five locations in Somerset, Cornwall, London and Hampshire.

• 2.1.3. Both Romeo and Juliet and The Odyssey had their London run at The Actor’s Church, Covent Garden.

• 2.1.4. Much Ado About Nothing and Fix the Folio were performed at St Nicholas Priory, Exeter.

• 2.1.5. Fix the Folio made its debut at The Stationer’s Hall, City of London.

2.2. Public Education and Accessibility

• 2.2.1. We received a charitable grant of £4,500 from The People’s Postcode Lottery to support the promotion and distribution of our touring schedule this year.

• 2.2.2. We received a charitable grant of £3,760 from The Scops Arts Trust to support our workshops and performances on The Isles of Scilly: a tour which will take place in April 2024.

• 2.2.3. Over 60% of our venues had never hosted live events or been involved in the arts before partnering with us.

• 2.2.3.1. Our focus on engaging with communities and local spaces enables us to provide affordable access to the arts and education to these communities, allowing them to continue similar projects in the future. This educational investment aims to promote wider participation in the arts for many years beyond our own event booking procedures.

• 2.2.4. In addition to our performances, we continued our workshop and education programme, conducting workshops in Cornwall, Hampshire, Devon and London to over 200 students.

• 2.2.5. As part of our efforts to extend our impact and benefit wider communities, we continue to welcome and expand our connections to local charities and partner organisations.

3. Future Goals and Plans

• 3.1. We will continue to support and expand our network of new event spaces in areas that currently have little to no local access to the arts.

• 3.2. Our focus is on consolidating repeat (annual) visits with key supportive venues, with the aim of building hubs of loyal local audiences. This, in turn, will contribute to the stability in our monthly forecasts and consistency for those communities' creative arts programs.

• 3.3. It is crucial for us to continue strengthening relationships with our current venues to foster further community development. Establishing a known local presence is essential in building trust that will ensure the long-term longevity of any local education programs.

• 3.4. In addition to our workshop and community work, we are aiming to launch a digital education program. This program is designed to complement and supplement our existing efforts.

• 3.5. We are actively seeking funding to cover our core costs. We hope to secure more regular donations and aim to gain support from local and educational Grants. Once we achieve this financial stability, we can focus more on our work in education and supporting disadvantaged communities.

4. Financial Review

• 4.1. Financial Review Statement

• 4.1.1. From 1st October 2022 - 30 September 2023 the charity’s income was £54,889. Expenditure was £38,502, resulting in a net gain of £16,387.

4.2. Reserves Policy

• 4.2.1. The Trustees recognise the need to establish a level of general reserves that enables financial stability. In particular, reserves are needed to meet working capital requirements, to cover short-term fluctuations in income and expenditure and to enable the Charity to respond to unexpected needs or new opportunities, and to finance major projects. Free reserves are deemed to be those that are readily realisable, excluding funds whose uses are restricted or designated for particular purposes.

• 4.2.2. The Trustees also recognise that the Charity is still in its initial growth development phase. While it builds its track record of public benefit, the Trustees are committed to progressively increasing income and containing costs in order to achieve financial stability.

• 4.2.3. In light of the size and age of the Charity, as well as the knock on effect of the pandemic, the Trustees have determined that the Free Reserves of the Charity should be grown to cover the potential deficit of a lost 6 months of work Looking into the growth forecast, this reserve size target also grows.

5. Structure, Governance and Management

• 5.1. The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, with a governing document approved and held by the Charity Commission.

• 5.2. At the end of the annual period there were three trustees. The trustees meet approximately four times a year.

• 5.3. New trustees are appointed by the Chair.

• 5.4. All Trustees give of their time freely and no remuneration or expenses were paid for their activities as Trustees in the year.

• 5.5. Trustees have developed and regularly review policies. These policies are implemented through operating procedures that are agreed by the Trustees. Trustees regularly review the risks faced by the charity.

• 5.6. Management of the day to day charitable operation is delegated to the Artistic Director and Development Director, who report regularly to the Board.

6. Reference and Administrative Information

6.1. The Trustees

• 6.1.1. Nova Robinson (Chair)

• 6.1.2. Ostin D’Silva

• 6.1.3. Susan Hitch

• 6.1.4. Colin Howard

6.2. Charity Registered no. 1193809

6.3. Registered Office

• 6.3.1. Old Wardour House, Tisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP3 6RP

Prepared on behalf of the trustees by Mingma Hughes, 12 September 2024

Signed by Nova Jayne Robinson, Chairman.

Troubadour Stageworks	Troubadour Stageworks		1193809
Receipts and payments accounts				CC16a
For the period from	01/10/2022	To	30/09/2023

Section A Receipts and payments

A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ - 9,619 28,027 344 8,856 - - 46,846 - - - 46,846 - 10,227 1,657 2,141 11 116 17,188 6,973 189 38,502 - - - 38,502 8,344 - - 8,344	Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - 8,043 - - - 8,043 - - - 8,043 - - - - - - 8,043 - - 8,043	Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £ - 9,619 28,027 344 8,043 8,856 - - 54,889 - - - 54,889 - 10,227 1,657 2,141 11 116 17,188 6,973 189 38,502 - - - 38,502 16,387	Total funds to the nearest £ - 9,619 28,027 344 8,043 8,856 - - 54,889 - - - 54,889 - 10,227 1,657 2,141 11 116 17,188 6,973 189 38,502 - - - 38,502 16,387	Last year to the nearest £
	-
Donations	9,619					12,510
Ticket sales	28,027					20,756
Schools and workshops	344					1,450
Grants						7,096
Gift aid	8,856					9,581
	-					-
	-					-
Sub total(Gross income for AR)	46,846					51,393
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-					-
	-					-
Sub total	-					-
Total receipts A3 Payments
						51,393
	-
General admin	10,227					3,597
Marketing	1,657					1,477
Cost of sales	2,141					5,193
Fund raising	11					209
Costumes andprops	116					1,783
Show salaries	17,188					16,314
Travel,Accomodations and subsid'	6,973					5,913
Schools and workshops	189					313
**Sub total **	38,502					34,799
A4 Asset and investment purchases (see table)
,	-
	-
**Sub total **	-					-
Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end
						34,799
	8,344	8,043	-	16,387		16,594
	-	-	-	-		-
	-	-	-	-		-
	8,344	8,043	-	16,387		16,594

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

16/09/2024

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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds	Signature Details Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - Agreement Error Agreement Error Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name	Endowment funds to nearest £
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			OK
			Endowment funds to nearest £
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			Current value (optional)
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			Current value (optional)
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			When due (optional)
			Date of approval

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

16/09/2024

2

Independent examiners report to Troubadour Stageworks For the year ending 30[th] September 2023

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:

• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,

• 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

• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination 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 you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiners statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and

3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.

have not been met; or

1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

9[th] September 2024

Miss Sonia Booth FMAAT 34 Imber Road Shaftesbury Dorset SP7 8RX

Troubadour YE Sept 23

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