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BOOK Music and Lyrics (BML) Annual Report 2024-25
Charity Number 11979930
Beginning 16 Sept, 2024, the four BML workshops (First Year Composer/Lyricist, Second Year Composer/Lyricist, Advance Composer/Lyricist, and Librettists) each met for 34 sessions, running through 16 July,2024. There were between 80 and 85 writers actively involved during the year. With an external facilitator, extra sessions were scheduled on ‘giving & receiving feedback’.
A setback this year, was suddenly losing our space at the Central London YMCA, where we had held sessions for several years, when the building was sold to property developers and shuttered in February 2025. Finding appropriate space in Central London for three nights a week is very difficult, and we have been forced to operate on-line since March. We are close to finding a space for September, which is necessary for the morale and betterment of our members, who also socialise after their BML session, which further strengthens and helps to build long-term relationships as musical theatre collaborators.
We have received the donated space of a ‘lock-up’ near Angel Station where we have now organised an extensive library of books on musical theatre and practitioners for use by our members.
BML produced an industry showcase of work by the Advanced Group at the Crazy Coqs/ Brasserie Zedel (space donated by the management) in April 2025, featuring West End performers, and this was very well received, including attendance from some of our funders; MTI, MMD and Fenton Arts Trust. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who have supported BML in the last year, including MMD, MTI, the Binks and Garrick Trusts, George Stiles, and to all those who donated to our BML Appeal.
In addition to ‘Taster’ sessions for potential applicants for the 25-26 intake in the spring, BML held a taster masterclass at Mercury Musical Developments’ BEAM conference in Birmingham in May. This led to significant interest in, and conversation about BML.
After extended social media outreach, BML held auditions on 26/27 July and on 9 August for our next First Year group, which will begin sessions in September 2025. We anticipate 24 members for the First Year Group and 14 new members for the Librettists.
BML always tries to work closely with its members to ensure they have an enriching experience that will help them become stronger writers. We are also gaining experience with supporting increasingly neurodiverse members. Questionnaires are periodically sent to the members to assess how they think they’re doing and how we might further help them. There is a great deal of comradeship and support between them all. There will be a beginning-of-term meet-and-greet event in September as well as a Christmas ‘do’ in December, both at a friendly bistro in Exmouth Market
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BML produces impressive results with very modest resources: -
Most recently, ‘Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)’ by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan played to capacity audiences at the Kiln and transferred to the Criterion Theatre, and will move to Broadway later this season.
‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, currently playing at the Ambassadors Theatre, recently won Olivier Awards for ‘Best New Musical’ and ‘Outstanding Musical Contribution’ for the composer, Darren Clark.
‘In Clay’ by Rebecca Simmonds played at Upstairs Above the Gatehouse last year, and then went to NAMT in New York. It has already been translated into Mandarin and had a successful engagement in China.
‘Forty-Two Balloons’ by Jack Godfrey ran at the Lowry Theatre/Manchester last winter.
Lyricist Richy Hughes is working on his third commission from West End producer Kenny Wax (the first a direct result of a BML industry showcase).
The music for Jez Butterworth’s recent, ‘The Hills of California’, (which played Broadway last season) was arranged by BML alumna Candida Caldicot.
Another BML alumna, Jennifer Lucy Cook, who has relocated to Los Angeles, coordinated the script for Oscar-winning Composer Alan Menken’s recent concerts at the Palladium.
Several BML members were also among the finalists for the Stiles & Drewe ‘Best New Song’ award for MMD in December.
We continue to be unique in providing a safe space for writers of musical theatre to hone their skills, collaborate and network, facilitated by renowned professionals who continue to work in the industry.
29 September 2025
Signed by Wendy E Gill on behalf of the Board of Trustees
| Charity Name BooksMusicLyrics |
Charity Name BooksMusicLyrics |
Charity Name BooksMusicLyrics |
Charity Name BooksMusicLyrics |
Charity Name BooksMusicLyrics |
No (if any) 1197930 |
No (if any) 1197930 |
No (if any) 1197930 |
CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
For the period from |
Period start date 01/08/2024 |
To |
Period end date 31/07/2025 |
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| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||||
| Grants and Donations | 23,214 | - | 23,214 | 32,235 | |||||
| Fees | 32,699 | - | - | 32,699 | 32,470 | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 55,913 | - | - | 55,913 | 64,705 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||||
| 64,705 | |||||||||
Course payments |
30,863 | - | 30,863 | 29,336 | |||||
| Workshops/auditions, etc. | 6,118 | - | - | 6,118 | 6,268 | ||||
| Administration and other | 16,168 | - | - | 16,168 | 27,258 | ||||
| Arts Council England Program | - | - | - | 4,084 | |||||
| Prior year costs | 8,475 | - | - | 8,475 | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 61,624 | - | - | 61,624 | 66,946 | ||||
| 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 |
|||||||||
| 66,946 | |||||||||
| - 2,241 | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| 31,901 | |||||||||
| 29,660 | |||||||||
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 B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities |
Details Total cash funds account(s)) Metrobank Details Details Details Details Signature |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 23,949 - - - - 23,949 - OK OK 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 WENDY E GILL |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
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| Date of approval |
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| WENDY E GILL | 24/09/2025 | ||
Jarka Ronchetti ACCA Flat 4, 5-6 Myddelton Square London EC1R 1YE email: jarka.ronchetti@gmail.com
Independent Examiners Report on the Accounts
Report to the Trustees of Book Music & Lyric (Charity no. 1197930) On the account for the year ended 31 July 2025
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed .
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
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Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions examiner’s statement given by the Charity Commission. 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 the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
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Independent In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to
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examiner's statement my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act.
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I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 24 September 2025
Name: Jarka Ronchetti ACCA