The Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limited
Legal and Administrative Information
Directors and Trustees
| Chairman | Mr J.A.Harrison |
|---|---|
| Secretary | Mrs C M Henderson |
| Elected members | Mrs M L Anderson, Mr.R.Burton, |
| Mrs C A Lee, Mrs C J McEwan, Mrs W Middleton | |
| Mrs C W Narey, | |
| Directors | Mr M J.Crooks, Mr S Jones, |
| Mrs V..L.Tindale (appointed 14th April 2025) | |
| Company Number | 572515 |
| Charity Number | 222426 |
| VAT Number | 258 6281 31 |
| Registered Office | Toft House |
| and Principal | The Avenue |
| Place of Business | Middlesbrough |
| TS5 6SA | |
| Bankers | HSBC Bank plc |
| 60 Albert Road | |
| Middlesbrough | |
| TS1 1RS | |
| Accountants | Jones Harper |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 25 Roseberry Road | |
| Billingham | |
| TS23 2SD | |
| Independent Examiner J.W.Hugill – Accountants |
|
| Room101 The Grange Business Centre | |
| Belasis Avenue | |
| Billingham | |
| TS23 1LG |
The Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limited
Report of the trustees for the year ending 30th June 2025
The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act, present their Annual Report and the Financial Statements for the year ended 30th June 2025.
Objects of the Charity, Principal Activities and Organisation of Our Work
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is therefore governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The charity’s object and its principal activity continues to be that of promoting, maintaining, improving and advancing education and the performing arts - drama, dancing, singing and music. This involves young people, from the age of seven, as well as adults.
The charity is organised so that the trustees, known as the Executive Committee, meet regularly to manage its affairs.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Structure, Governance and Management
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 5th October 1956 and registered as a charity on 24th September 1963. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the Charitable Company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of its being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding one pound..
The Trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the company’s articles are elected onto the Executive Committee for a period of one or three years at the Annual General Meeting.
Developments, Activities and Achievements
Our Studio play in July 2024 was The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson, a play about family relationships, both comedic and heartbreaking, between sisters gathering for their mother’s funeral. Jess Gelders received a NODA nomination for her performance as Catherine.
The October production, in Middlesbrough Theatre, was A Bunch of Amateurs by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, a terrific comedy revolving around the lives of the Stratford Players who invite a fading Hollywood star to act in their production of King Lear. He soon discovers this Stratford is not the birthplace of the Bard but a sleepy village in Suffolk. Jim Woods was nominated for a NODA award for his portrayal of the American actor.
Albert Nobbs by Gordon Steel, a local playwright, followed in February 2025. John Bourner was nominated for a NODA award for his role as Albert Nobbs.
The final play of the season was The Railway Children by E.Nesbit, adapted for the stage by Mike Kenny. This was a joint production between MLT and MYT and was part of the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Middlesbrough Youth Theatre, the youth section of MLT, continues to flourish and the list of young people waiting to join continues to grow.
Kidstage, the group for 7-11 years, performed Annie at Middlesbrough Theatre 5th/6th July 2024 to sell out audiences.
The biggest production of the season, Les Miserables in November 2024 was a great hit. It received three NODA nominations, one for the production and individual nominations for Rhys Pemberton (Valjean) and Oliver McNeil (Javert).
A full school showcase followed in March 2025 for three nights, which included both Kidstage and MainStage.
A few Kidstage students had a chance to be part of the professional touring cast of Dreamcoat Stars where they were part of the children’s choir and even had a medley on their own.
Kidstage took to the stage again in June for their own show into the spotlight showicasing all their talents.
Fundraising has continued throughout the year. This has included a one-night singing concert where some students sang the night away at the Masonic Hall in Stockton.
During the year five past students have obtained professional contracts:Toby Shellard (Tina musical tour) Keiahna Jones (Ghost tour) Asher Forth (Starlight Express, London) Izzy Formby-Jackson (Six international tour) James Oliver (Matilda, London)
Last year some students achieved places at prestigious universities and stage schools to pursue a career in the performing arts.
This year another group of students are set to study music/musical theatre at Leeds Conservatoire, Bird College, Italia Conti Academy and Emil Dale Academy.
Future Developments
We will continue with our usual programme of four productions a year, one in our Studio theatre and three in Middlesbrough Theatre, during 2026.
We will be performing in the theatre in February 2027. We are not certain what will happen beyond that. The increased costs of performing in Middlesbrough Theatre may necessitate reducing the number of plays performed in the theatre and using the Studio more.
We are currently negotiating a new 25-year lease with Middlesbrough Council. This will give us more security in our premises.
MYT are currently rehearsing their November 2024 production of the musical Footloose. Their November 2026 production will be We Will Rock You a musical by Ben Elton. .
This has only just become available for amateur performance so MYT will be one of the first companies to obtain the licence.
Investments policy and returns
Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to make any investment which the trustees see fit. The trustees have considered the most appropriate policy for investing funds is in building society and bank accounts.
Reserves
The present level of funding is adequate to support the continuation of the productions in the theatre. It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which equates to over twelve months expenditure, providing sufficient funds to cover management and administration.
Directors and Trustees
All trustees are also directors of the company and, currently, there are three other directors.
Risk management
The trustees actively review the major risks which the company faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining reserves at current level, combined with an annual review of the controls over key financial systems, will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The trustees have also examined other operational business risks faced by the Charity and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks.
Statement of Trustees responsibilities
Company law requires the Trustees prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the financial activities of the Charity and its financial position at the end of that year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to;-
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
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Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
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State whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the Companies act 2006 and with applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in operation
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the board of directors and trustees on and signed on its behalf
The Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limited Report of the Independent Examiner to the Executive Committee of The Middlesbrou h Little Theatre Limited I report to the Executive Committee on my examination of the Accounts of The Middlesbrough ttle Theatre Limited for the year ended 30 lune 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees and directors of The Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limited you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Art 20111'the ACYI. I report in respect of my examination of The Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limtted's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directlons given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the Art. Independent Examinerf5 StatemenL In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, iri any material respect. the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with sectlDn 130 of the Charities 2011 Act and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records. comply with the requirements of the 2011 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. J.W. Hugill- Accountants, Suite 4203 Belasis Business Centre Coxwold Way Billingham T523 4EA 26 March 2026
Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limited Statement of financial activities (incorporating an Income and Expenditure Account) for the year ended 30th June 2025
Middlesbrough Little Theatre Limited Balance Sheet as at 30th June 2025
Notes on the accounts
4 COMPANY RUNNING COSTS Rent Rates and council tax Heating & lighting stsff costs Insurance Postage printing stationery & advert15ing Cleaning General repairs Bank charEes Sundries Depreciation 2,500 1,585 22.337 57,586 3,662 625 255 6,474 1,322 395 9,939 14,384 4,716 6,179 1,3 124,583 1,554 4,958 15,627 2,549 637 34,001 5 MANAGEMENT &ADMIN. Restricted spend Accountancy & bookkeeping 5CM) 2,356 5,080 6 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 2,025 2,024 This is stated after charging Depreciation Accountancy 1,301 5.070 638 2,064 7 TANGIBLE FIXEDASSETS Leasehold improvements Fixtures & equipment Total Cost As at 1st July 2024 Additions A5 at 30th June 2025 48,572 27,742 1,595 29,337 76,314 1,595 77,909 48,572 Depreciation A5 at 1st July 2024 Charge for year As at 30th June 2025 27,115 733 27,848 24,903 568 25,471 52,018 1,301 53,319 Net book value 20,724 3,866 24,590
8 DEBTORS 2025 2024 Prepayments Other debtor Due ofvr one yerJr- Loan to Theatre Club 1.233 9.967 17.779 11,2fM) 18,787 CREDITORS FALLING DUE 9 WITHIN ONE YEAR Accrua15 and creditor5 19.312 19.312 2,756 2,756 10 ANALYSIS OF ASSErs Re5trirted. Building Fund Restricted, Lew Oliver Fund Unrestricted Total Tangible fixed a55ets Net other assels 24,590 125.057 149,647 24.590 136,725 161,315 3.762 3,762 7,955 7,955 11 STATEMENTOF FUNDS As at 30th June 2025 As at 1st July 2024 Income Spend Unrestricted funds 168,477 265,196 284,076 149,597 Restricted funds= Lew Oliver fund BiJildin8 fund 3,762 7,955 11,717 3,762 7,955 11,717 TOTAL FUNDS 180,194 265,196 284,076 161,314