The Annual Report for Urmston Musical Theatre 2024
This document comprises:
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Chairman’s AGM Address & Secretary’s Report
-
Honorary Secretary’s Report
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Honorary Treasurer’s Report and Balance Sheet
-
Reporting Serious Incidents Declaration
-
Independent Examiner’s Report
Urmston Musical Theatre – AGM for 2024
Chairman’s Address
Good evening and welcome to this AGM in 2025.
In my remarks at last year’s AGM, I said that, performance wise, we had set the bar high and now needed to take it higher still. Well, we certainly have done that this year.
We are lucky in that we have our own talented and imaginative Production Teams to weave their magic and such willing and hardworking casts. Put together with our skilled stage and tech crews the future looks bright.
Standing front-of-house as the audiences left the theatre, I have heard first-hand the amazingly positive feedback we have received from both young and old. Our task now is to keep up the standard we have set ourselves.
We welcomed a number of new and some returning members to the production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and it is my hope that they will stay with us for future shows.
Teamwork is our driving force, and these new members have fitted seamlessly into our ‘team.’
With the junior’s show and the panto coming up next and our 2026 shows settled, we have another busy time ahead.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Gemma Dolby for stepping into the daunting committee position of Secretary. She has had a bit of a baptism of fire but with the guidance and help of Pam Walton has coped extremely well. So, thank you both.
As always, a huge ‘Thank You’ to the Committee for their commitment and hard work on your behalf. And last, but by no means least, ‘Thank You’ to all you members for your loyalty to the UMT Family.
We can all look forward to another successful year.
Anita Partridge Chairman 15[th] April 2025
Urmston Musical Theatre – AGM for 2024
Honorary Secretary’s Report
Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. Good evening to you all.
Obituary
Phil Gibbs passed away in March 2024, he was a long-standing and valuable member of our society, who was talked into appearing on stage, as the man servant in South Pacific, whilst being ticket secretary for many years. He was always ready and willing to drive the scenery van, even when the journey was long distance. He will always be remembered by those who knew him.
Brenda Lane passed away August 2024, she helped her husband Bob, who was Ticket Secretary, over the years and she helped many times selling programmes amongst other duties and again, she too was a valuable member of our society.
Shows
Oliver
Our first show of 2024 was Oliver and what a show it was, a show that left people asking for “More”. Directed by Rik Gaffney, Musical Director Ed Nurse and Choreographer Emma Bowyer.
After a slow start we recruited lots of boys for the production and hope that this will mean that these boys will stay with us and appear in many more productions.
There was a bit of a shaky start with a change of MD, but Ed’s professionalism and “whip cracking!” Got everyone back on track!
A highlight of the show was the last-minute addition of a spectacular fall from the top of the rostra from Brad upon the death of Bill Sykes – a gasp moment if ever there was one!
ACT Nominations
Most Accomplished youth in an adult production – Workhouse / Fagin’s Gang
Most Accomplished Actress - Stephanie Niland as Nancy
Most Accomplished Character – Actor - Bradley Wigglesworth as Bill Sykes and Daniel Mellor as Mr Bumble
Most Accomplished Youth in an Adult Production - Sebastian McKinnon as Oliver and Corey Thomson as Artful Dodger
Most Original Cameo Role Actress - Samantha Bailey as Bet
Most Accomplished Vocal Ensemble Performance - Ensemble in Oom-Pah-Pah
Most Accomplished Character – Actor - Mark Watkins as Mr Sowerberry
Winning
Most Accomplished Character ~ Brad Wigglesworth
Most Promising Actress ~ Samantha Bailey
Most Accomplished Interpretation of a Character ~ Steph Niland
Most Accomplished Comedy Character ~ Chris Reid Best Programme ~ Emma Bowyer
NODA
Best Programme
Youth performance of a male character in an Adult Performance - Corey Thompson and Sebastian McKinnon
Best Comedy Performance in a musical - Daniel Mellor - Mr Bumble
Best Supporting Male Character in a musical - Bradley Wigglesworth - Bill Sykes
Best Supporting Female Character in a musical - Samantha Bailey - Bet
Best Ensemble Performance
Best Choreographer - Emma Bowyer
Best Musical Director - Ed Nurse
Best Musical
Oklahoma Junior
Directed by Emma Bowyer, with Deborah Lowe MD & Becky Copland as Choreographer. The show was something most of the juniors hadn’t come across before, but by show week they were all embracing it. Ava Munday gave a spirited performance of Ado Annie and Laurie & Curly were convincing as a couple being thwarted by Jud Fry. All the cast gave the audience a show to remember.
ACT Nominations
Most Accomplished Actress (Junior) - Lily-Ann Barrow as Lauren
Most Original Comic Performance Actress (Junior) - Ava Monday as Ado Annie Most Accomplished Character Performance Actor (Junior) - Elliott McNee as Jud Fry Most Accomplished Vocal Ensemble Performance (Junior) - The Company Most Accomplished Actor (Junior) - Sam Henshall as Curly
Most Accomplished Dance Concept (Junior) - Deborah Lowe
Winning
Most Original Comic Performance Actress (Junior) - Ava Monday as Ado Annie
NODA
Best Supporting Male Character in a Youth Production - Adam Csanji - Will Parker Best Supporting Female Character in a Youth Production - Ava Munday - Ado Annie Best Leading Male Character in a Youth Production - Sam Hensall - Curly McLain Best Director of a Youth Production - Emma Bowyer
Best Youth Production
Winning
Best Supporting Female Character in a Youth Production - Ava Munday – Ado Annie
Elf
We ended the year on a high with a sold-out show! All days, all seats! A great feat given that it sold out around a month before opening night and was the fastest selling show for some time!
Directed by Kay Valentine, Musical Director Ceri Graves and Choreographer Emma Bowyer.
This was a fun, fast paced and touching family show. It was challenging in its ambitious vision from Kay with conveyer belt entrances, snow, confetti cannons and a flying sleigh! Santa (Daniel Mellor) spent a lot of time asleep – but made up for it in the interval by speaking to all the children – a delight for them and for the cast who could hear the conversations in the dressing room (one little girl asked for a chicken!)
There were some issues there was no proper tech run or dress rehearsal and the mics failed at a number of points across the run. Costumes were also an issue with some sub-standard costumes being received with next to no time to spare to source others, but they were sourced and eventually looked amazing!
Despite all the back stage issues, the audiences enjoyed the performance, special thanks to the crew for their patience with the cast in dealing with the hundreds of
props! I don’t think any of those involved will ever forget pulling out the flats or Palpo the one-legged asparagus boy!
NODA
Best Programme
Best Youth Performance of a Male Character in an Adult Production - Roman Hayward - Micheal Hobbs
Best Supporting Female Character in a Musical - Megan Collier - Sara
Best Musical Director - Ceri Graves
Recognition
I would also like to mention the nomination our Society received from NODA:
To salute and recognise the lengths take to construct a fit-for-purpose venue and building sets in-house time-and-time again.
We might not have won the award on the night, but our society recognises this effort every single time it happens. Thank you to our amazing crew who make the shows possible, without the hard work and dedication of these people – Rick, Chris, Adam and Alan.
Our NODA long service awards took place during our Oliver run with 12 members receiving an award:
| 10 | years - | David Mee |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Moore | ||
| Paul Mitten | ||
| 15 | Years - | Adam Brame |
| Lynsey Cassidy | ||
| 25 | Years - | Ann Wolfendale |
| Emma Bowyer | ||
| Kay Wood | ||
| 35 | Years - | Daniel Mellor |
| 40 | Years - | John Walker |
| Peter Marks | ||
| 45 | Years - | John Cockshott |
I have only been doing the Secretary role since January, its tough – I have lost count of the people who have said ‘are you mad?’. But I can honestly say that being part of this society both in this role and on stage is amazing.
Everyone involved really cares, the back stage crew do an amazing ‘unsung job’. Thank you from all of us. The committee members strive to make the society better to increase audience numbers – Thank you to all of them (I’m still learning names!).
Anita – our Chairwoman - Thank you for working tirelessly for the good of the society.
Lastly I would like to extend my personal thanks to Pam Walton for helping me in this role providing guidance and last-minute support. I always feel like a nuisance – but to Pam I will be the person who took the weight off her shoulders and I hope she doesn’t get sick of me!
Gemma Dolby Honorary Secretary 15[th] April 2025
Urmston Musical Theatre – AGM for 2024
Honorary Treasurer's Report
The Honorary Treasurer is pleased to attach the balance sheet below. It has been a sound financial year for UMT and there have been no financial irregularities. We have a subsidiary bank account to isolate our internet-based ticket sales from our main account. Our reserves are held in a Santander account.
At the theatre, we collect for local charities. This year we collected for the Rose Window Appeal.
No other restricted fund receipts, payments or balances arose in this financial year.
We hold sufficient reserves to cover the costs of a major show that is ready to stage but then cannot be performed.
The Honorary Auditors were Mr Ian Darke and Mrs Anita Partridge.
Alan C Pickwick Honorary Treasurer
10[th] October 2025
URMSTON MUSICAL THEATRE
Income and Expenditure Account as at 31st December 2024
| Sister | Matilda | Oklahoma | Sister | Matilda | Oklahoma | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Act | Jr. | Aladdin | EXPENDITURE | Oliver | Jr. | Elf | Act | Jr. | Aladdin | INCOME | Oliver | Jr. | Elf |
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | THE SHOW | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | THE SHOW | £ | £ | £ |
| 4389 | 369 | 2656 | Stage Expenses | 2190.42 | 750.57 | 3819.97 | 15142 | 9371 | 18512 | Ticket Sales | 18310.24 | 6559.24 | 23266.78 |
| 0 | 37 | 28 | Properties | 312.12 | 0.00 | 772.34 | 575 | 218 | 274 | Programme Sales | 653.28 | 138.70 | 707.18 |
| 3252 | 200 | 870 | Costumes and Make Up | 2608.25 | 88.35 | 2209.61 | 190 | 0 | 0 | Programme Advertisers | 0.00 | 0.00 | 400.00 |
| 3195 | 1320 | 3500 | Building Hire - Rehearsals & Show | 3500.00 | 1760.00 | 3545.00 | 0 | 584 | 223 | Sale of Sweets and Trinkets | 0.00 | 724.88 | -168.50 |
| 4032 | 750 | 2100 | Production and Orchestral Expenses | 3750.00 | 950.00 | 3640.00 | 619 | 333 | 468 | Special Committee Donation | 622.27 | 170.26 | 534.14 |
| 850 | 0 | 260 | Programme Production | 850.00 | 0.00 | 1560.00 | 1020 | 464 | 867 | Show Fund | 1292.00 | 330.00 | 1093.00 |
| 62 | 0 | 170 | Ticket Office | 80.74 | 3.00 | 200.74 | Loss on Show | ||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Credit Card Processing | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 459 | 0 | 341 | Entertaining and Setup | 410.12 | 84.60 | 424.20 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Flowers and Presents | 21.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 30 | 0 | 0 | Printing, Stationery and Postages | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 327 | 316 | 547 | Advertising and Photographs | 800.50 | 302.80 | 181.00 | |||||||
| 3933 | 2183 | 0 | Royalties, Scores and Libretti | 4359.61 | 1907.80 | 5598.22 | |||||||
| 581 | 581 | 609 | Insurance | 609.04 | 609.04 | 845.62 | |||||||
| 1170 | 309 | 922 | Penny Bridge Utilities | 1200.41 | 442.32 | 1299.31 | |||||||
| 149 | 272 | 150 | Penny Bridge Rent | 135.47 | 265.00 | 150.00 | |||||||
| -4883 | 4633 | 8191 | Profit on Show | 50.11 | 759.60 | 1586.59 | |||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ||
| 17545 | 10970 | 20344 | 20877.79 | 7923.08 | 25832.60 | 17545 | 10970 | 20344 | 20877.79 | 7923.08 | 25832.60 | ||
| Restricted | THE SOCIETY | Restricted | Restricted | THE SOCIETY | Restricted | ||||||||
| 0 | Printing, Stationery and Postages | 194.76 | 2904 | Subscriptions and Audition Fees | 3669.00 | ||||||||
| 0 | Building Hire & Refreshments | 0.00 | 0 | Donations - Ladies Committee | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 558 | NODA and Trafford Arts | 711.99 | -243 | Donations - Social Committee | 215.20 | ||||||||
| 25 | Flowers, Presents & Donations | 0.00 | 27146 | Donations - Other | 409.00 | ||||||||
| 3753 | Purchase of Equipment | 21933.35 | 0 | Showcase & Others | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 6912 | Penny Bridge Maintenance | 979.90 | 73 | Dividends and Interest | 113.81 | ||||||||
| 0 | Penny Bridge Utilities (Unallocated) | 411.33 | 390 | Equipment Hire | 700.00 | ||||||||
| 0 | Penny Bridge Rent (Unallocated) | 0.00 | 0 | Web Site - Income | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 816 | Insurance | 1171.50 | 1105 | Penny Bridge - Income | 75.00 | ||||||||
| 0 | Bank Charges | 0.00 | |||||||||||
| 386 | Web Site - Running Costs | 413.15 | |||||||||||
| 170 | Donations - Other | 25.39 | |||||||||||
| 992 | Donations from Collections (Restricted) | 1201.64 | 992 | Collections at Theatre (Restricted) | 1199.18 | ||||||||
| 18757 | Surplus (Deficit) from Society | -20661.82 | |||||||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ||||||
| 31376 | 992 | Donations at Door Collections | 5179.55 | 1201.64 | 31376 | 992 | 5182.01 | 1199.18 | |||||
| to the Rose Window Appeal | |||||||||||||
| Balance | Sheet as at | 31st December 2024 | |||||||||||
| Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | ||||||||||
| 17678 | Balance at 31st December 2023 | 44258.92 | 650 | Investments (600 Santander Shares) | 650.00 | ||||||||
| 18757 | Surplus (Deficit) from Society | -20661.82 | 2914 | Cash at Santander plc | 3028.25 | ||||||||
| 7941 | Profit (Loss) on Shows | 2396.30 | 36895 | Cash at RBS & NatWest | 18934.99 | ||||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | 189 | Cash in Hand | 294.43 | |||||||||
| 44376 | 25993.40 | 3610 | Payments in Advance (Shows) | 3085.73 | |||||||||
| 55 | Receipts in Advance | ||||||||||||
| -172 | Correction | (Santander £3.69 each on 31st December 2024) | |||||||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | **-------------- ** | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | **-------------- ** | -------------- | ||||||
| 44259 | < | 25993.40 | < | 44259 | < | 25993.40 | < | ||||||
| Honorary Auditors | Honorary Treasurer |
Reporting Serious Incidents (June 2008 Regulations)
The trustees confirm that for the reporting year 1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024 no serious incidents arose within Urmston Musical Theatre that could significantly harm the charity’s property, work, beneficiaries or reputation.
The trustees declare that there are no serious incidents or other matters which they should have brought to the Commissioners’ attention but have not. The trustees understand that failure to provide this confirmation would be a breach of legal requirements.
1/1/2025.
This declaration is written in conjunction with the guidance notes to be found at: www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Library/investigations/pdfs/rsinotes.pdf
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Urmston Musical Theatre.
I report on the accounts of UMT for the year ended 31[st] December 2024.
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 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the 1993 Act);
• to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 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 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 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 examiner’s 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
• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr David Holstein
22 Cornhill Road Davyhulme Urmston Manchester M41 5TJ