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2025-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 01321359B (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 274198

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

TC Audit Limited Statutory Auditors Park House 200 Drake Street Rochdale Lancashire OL16 1PJ

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 8
Report of the Independent Auditors 9 to 11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13 to 14
Cash Flow Statement 15
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 16
Notes to the Financial Statements 17 to 26

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

TRUSTEES S J Whitehead A Jackson F Fogarty N Gloudon N Akhtar S J De Courcey R L Mcbride (resigned 19.9.24) L Coluccio R J Lyons S Maxwell D Palmer (appointed 13.3.25) S Ali (appointed 20.6.24) S Pearce (appointed 20.6.24) C Ford (appointed 26.9.24) (resigned 22.5.25) COMPANY SECRETARY L A Rodwell REGISTERED OFFICE Studio Theatre Hamer Community Primary School Albert Royds Street Rochdale Lancashire OL16 2SU

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER 01321359B (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 274198

AUDITORS TC Audit Limited Statutory Auditors Park House 200 Drake Street Rochdale Lancashire OL16 1PJ

Page 1

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The objectives for which the Company is registered are to promote, maintain, improve and advance education particularly by the production of plays and the encouragement of participation in Theatre and the Arts.

The following policy has been adopted in order to further the Company's principal objectives: -

"To broaden the education of the target audiences of children and young people by producing rich and diverse programmes of high quality professional theatre, both adapted from existing works and works commissioned by the Company, which deal with a wide variety of relevant social and cultural issues".

There have been no material changes in the policies adopted by the Company over the last year.

Public benefit

M6 Theatre Company is a public benefit company which advances the education of the public by creating high quality innovative and accessible theatre that celebrates diversity and prioritises disadvantaged communities. M6 creates theatre that ignites the imagination, nurtures the heart and challenges the minds of young people, helping them develop the emotional literacy and self esteem necessary to make informed choices and expand their social and cultural horizons.

We review our aims, objectives and activities each year. This review looks at what we achieved and the outcomes of our work in the previous 12 months. The review looks at the success of each key activity and benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to help. The review also helps us ensure our aims, objectives and activities remained focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

THE DIFFERENCE WE MADE 2024/2025

Providing original, accessible and memorable theatre and theatre related activities for children and young people, both in our home town of Rochdale and all around the country, has remained M6's priority over the last year.

Our dynamic productions have been enjoyed by local children, young people, families and teachers in primary and secondary schools and community settings across the borough. Further afield, our national venue partners valued our work, which moved and inspired audiences of all ages.

Making theatre accessible to all audiences remains at the heart of what we do. We have maximised a range of access initiatives including free and subsidised rates for schools, pay-what-you-feel performances in our Studio Theatre, bursaries for Youth Theatre participants and free performances across Rochdale borough.

Our amazing, talented Youth Theatre members showcased their talents in their annual performances, alongside making new friends, learning new skills and creating new stories.

We have continued to play an active role in the wider cultural development strategy for Rochdale borough, working with our partners in the area to deliver new programmes and initiatives, and engage new audiences in new places across the town.

In 2024-2025 we worked hard to achieve our aims. We:

This document captures the impact of the last year but none of this would have been possible without the amazing people we work with. We thank our dedicated and highly skilled freelance artists, core staff, board members, partners and funders for their commitment, talent and support.

Moving forwards, we pledge to continue to work with our partners in the local area, making a positive difference to the lives of local children and young people through excellent creative engagement, alongside maintaining our vital place in the national Theatre for Young Audiences sector.

OUR YEAR IN NUMBERS

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

BENEFICIARY FEEDBACK

"It has re-sparked her confidence and helped her wellbeing. It's her favourite part of the week - looking forward to it and buzzing when she comes home. M6 is very inclusive and supportive" - Youth Theatre parent

"Outside of here I never really fit in anywhere but the way everyone made me feel meant that I could just be myself" - Youth Theatre participant

"Magical, imaginative and truly touching" - Audience member on A Tiger's Tale

"The workshops were dynamic and really responsive to the students' thoughts and opinions...creative explorations are vital to our learners as they start to navigate an increasingly complex world." - Teacher, Falinge Park High School on The Incident

"I have been very impressed with how supportive M6 is to freelance artists and the level of care invested in the production and the tour" - Freelance Artist

"Not all our children will get these opportunities outside of school and it is always a great opportunity to extend learning beyond the narrow confines of the national curriculum" - Asst. Head Teacher, St. Peter's RC on A Tiger's Tale

"I really enjoyed it and I'm coming back tomorrow!" - Audience member aged 7 on A Tiger's Tale

"M6 is utterly incredible, we are so lucky to have such high quality theatre in our town" - Community and Volunteer Officer, Rochdale Town Hall

"I just wanted to say a big thank you for the work you are doing with the EHE children...the young person was thrilled when she came out and had made a new friend - she has been isolated at home for months."- Elective Home Education Officer, Rochdale Council on Electively Home Educated outreach project

HIGHLIGHTS

In Autumn we remounted one of our most-loved productions, A Tiger's Tale by Mike Kenny, which toured to primary schools across Rochdale and theatre venues across the UK. Based on the true story of Fenella, the Holmfirth Tiger, A Tiger's Tale was a high-spirited balancing act of circus, puppetry, live music and song. Across 63 performances, 5,445 audience members saw the show. We increased the number of public shows in Rochdale by 200%, with a 280% increase in local audiences as a result.

Over summer we created a new play for outdoor audiences, Even Stevens, which previewed with children from our partner schools and was performed as part of Rochdale's Feel Good Family Picnics to 787 audience members. Clowning, storytelling and audience interaction combined in this touching tale where everything worked out Even Stevens in the end.

990 children from culturally different backgrounds in 20 Rochdale primary schools came to M6 Studio to watch A Tiger's Tale and take part in workshops as part of the Rochdale Linking Schools project. During the workshop, the children worked alongside the actors to create their own characters and participate in an act of 'peaceful protest'.

In February we created our first new piece for teenage audiences since the pandemic. The Incident was a play and workshop which explored healthy relationships and toured to 12 local secondary schools, colleges and youth support settings. 1,358 young audiences, teachers and support staff took part in 51 workshops.

We also made a film version of The Incident, which will be released later this year. Filmed on location around Rochdale, we employed a local young person as a Production Assistant and offered a day of shadowing for a local young aspiring film maker. We also employed 11 local young actors as supporting artists. As part of our talent development programme we hosted 3 work experience placements, attended 5 local careers fairs and hosted 33 local primary school children for a day's behind the scenes workshop with the Royal Opera House.

We continued to share our digital film The Storm, using it as a catalyst to inspire important conversations and action around the climate emergency. 1,247 local primary school children and staff took part in The Storm workshop.

We continued to deliver Speech Bubbles in three local primary schools. This drama-based programme supports children in KS1 to develop their communication skills. Teachers noticed improvements back in class in 98% of the children. We also delivered Creating a Communication Friendly Classroom CPD sessions for 155 staff in our Speech Bubbles partner schools.

In Spring we worked with Rochdale Children's Literature Festival and 20 year 7-8 pupils from Falinge Park High School over 5 weeks to create a performance about the history of Rochdale's newly refurbished Town Hall. In The Auction, the young people auctioned off famous items from Rochdale. The play was performed 3 times in Rochdale Library to an audience of around 100 as part of the Festival.

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

During the summer we worked with Army of Kindness food bank to deliver a holiday project with young new arrivals, playing games and exploring drama techniques, with a view to having a fun, playful and positive few days. We held the sessions at Kashmir Youth Project (KYP) so participants were in an environment they felt familiar with, and provided lunch for participants each day. The project began on Wednesday 7 August. This coincided with the week of the UK riots. It felt important that the project happened that week; amongst the horrific stories we were seeing on the news, M6 were providing a safe and welcoming environment and a positive experience for these families.

At the start of the new academic year we ran a four week project for Electively Home Educated young people. Based on their ideas, we made a short film with them inspired by the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. All the young people rated their time at M6 as a positive experience, grew in confidence and felt able to take on more than they had initially anticipated. One member of the group has now joined our Youth Theatre.

In early 2025 we ran an Introduction to Theatre project with SEN students from Redwood School. Over six sessions, the participants explored all the different elements of theatre, including costume, lighting and sound, resulting in a sharing of one of our professional shows, Mission...Save the World. Each participant received an Arts Award as part of the programme.

Working in partnership with Barnardo's, we supported young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to participate in our Act to Shine Youth Theatre group. Through weekly drama-based sessions, the young people created a new comic spy adventure, Spy Co Go!

We continued our three diverse, inclusive Youth Theatre groups. The groups are for young people aged 8-18 to participate in weekly drama-based workshops, developing their performance and theatre-making skills. Each group worked with highly skilled facilitators to create their own production.

Year 11-13

Our oldest Youth Theatre group took part in the National Theatre Connections programme this year. Their chosen play, Ravers, about a group of nerdy misfits who throw a sober rave, was performed to an audience to friends, family and a National Theatre Associate Artist, in March 2025.

Year 7-10

Our Year 7-10 group spent the year creating characters and storylines for a new play, A Twist in the Wind, a quest for happiness involving a cat burglar, a mysterious old lady with a tea trolley, King James I of England and an appointment with Dr. Sunshine.

Year 4-6

In June, our youngest Youth Theatre group performed their devised show, The Dearest Spot on Earth, about a group of woodland animals who come together to protect their forest and fight against capital development. The show, which contained themes of environmental responsibility and sustainability and included an original song 'Protest!' composed by local artist Leah Wild, was performed twice to an audience of 137 family, friends and members of the local community.

FUTURE PLANS

Alongside a full participation programme for children and young people aged 8-18, in 2025/2026 M6 will:

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Review of the transactions and financial position of the company

M6 is revenue funded by the Arts Council England. The company is a charity and is reliant on the support of Trusts, Foundations and Sponsors to fund activity. Rochdale Borough Council provide in-kind funding annually which provides a dedicated 90-seater Studio Theatre which serves as M6's base in Rochdale.

For the financial year ended 31 March 2025, the Company's financial activities resulted in a net surplus of unrestricted funds of £8,554 and net outflow of restricted funds of £2,465, creating an in-year surplus of £6,089.

Details of these funds are shown in note 17 to accounts.

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Investment policy and objectives

The Board reviews the investment policy annually, primarily to ensure exposure to financial risk is minimised and unethical investments are avoided. Currently the Board has determined standard bank and building society accounts to be the most appropriate means of investing funds, but is done so as to maximise the protection offered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Reserves policy

Given the current economic climate and the accompanying business uncertainty, the Board has considered it prudent for the Company to maintain free reserves at a level that equates to at least six months' unrestricted expenditure. This is considered sufficient cover for management and administration and support costs, in the event of the Company being wound up.

As at 31 March 2025 the Company had free reserves (i.e. cash at bank, and deposits and investments readily available and convertible to cash) amounting to £233,768. The current level of free reserves is marginally below six months' total expenditure and steps are being taken to correct this position.

As at 31 March 2025, the Company has designated reserves for future capital asset replacements of £60,000, employment costs of £35,000 and schools engagement initiatives of £25,000 for use in 2025-26 and beyond. In this financial year the Company established a new designated 50th birthday fund of £10,000 and a £5,000 capital exploratory fund. The Board has approved these to be fully utilised in the forthcoming years.

The Board reviews the reserves policy annually to take account of changing circumstances.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

BALANCED RISK AND FUTURE PLANS

M6's Activity Plan FY26 builds on the strong developments made in FY25, recognises the value and necessity of M6 team continuity and balances operational/financial risk.

Our budget for FY26 includes new revenue streams and appropriate contingency. Programme costs are scalable through quarterly forecasting and decision making to mitigate risk.

Whilst we plan to utilise designated reserves as necessary, we will still retain free reserves to cover prudent levels of running costs.

Our Activity Plan FY26 is informed by our partners and community and supports the creative case for diversity, inclusion and increased access to local under-served communities including:-

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

M6 is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees are the only members of the Company and have guaranteed to pay an amount of £1 in the event of the Company being wound up.

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

New directors are recruited when appropriate by the Board through a range of trusted channels including peer recommendation. New directors are appointed on unanimous vote.

New directors are interviewed and invited to observe M6's Board Meetings prior to appointment. Once appointed, new directors are issued with an M6 Induction Pack and offered Board Member training.

All strategic and policy decisions are made by the Board of Directors on recommendation from the following sub-committees: Engagement, Personnel and Finance. Operational decisions are delegated to the Artistic Director/CEO and Managing Director.

The Board of Directors have agreed to opt for a full statutory audit of the Annual Accounts, despite the applicable exemption under both the Companies Act and the Charities Act. This was done to provide greater transparency of the Board's financial governance as well as independent assurance of the financial viability of the Company.

Organisational structure

The Artistic Director / CEO is supported in strategic planning by the Production & Tour Director, Managing Director and Participation Managers. Through the Annual Review process all team roles were reviewed, updated and salaries recalibrated to reflect necessary role developments.

Related parties

The Company requires all directors and employees to declare related party and other interests as they arise.

Transactions with related parties are disclosed in note 18 to the accounts.

Risk management

The Company regularly reviews its organisational Risk Assessment Framework. This process is integrated into the Business Planning cycle, led by the Board and involving sub committees and the Leadership Team identifying and quantifying the impact of any major potential risks which could impair the achievement of the Company's strategic objectives. The process also includes determining whether adequate controls are in place to manage or mitigate the exposure of the Company in relation to key financial and non-financial risks.

The most recent review highlights that the Company continues to successfully develop, capture and communicate its internal control procedures and systems to respond to significant risks as they emerge and identified the following aspects to be the principal areas of exposure for the Company:

The Board and Leadership Team have implemented a range of strategies to manage these risks including:

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of M6 Theatre Company Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES - continued

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

AUDITORS

The auditors, TC Audit Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 25 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

S J Whitehead - Trustee

Page 8

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of M6 Theatre Company Limited (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Page 9

REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

-the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;

-we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of charities;

-we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the charity, including the Charities Act 2011and Companies Act 2006;

-we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence where necessary and

-identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity's financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

-making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud and

-considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

-performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;

-tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;

-assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and

-investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

-agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;

-enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and

-reviewing correspondence with HMRC.

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS TO THE TRUSTEES OF M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

TC Audit Limited Statutory Auditors Eligible to act as an auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006 Park House 200 Drake Street Rochdale Lancashire OL16 1PJ

25 September 2025

Page 11

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
INCOME FROM
Donations and grants
2
375,677
Charitable activities
4
Charitable activities
12,782
Investment income
3
3,193
Other income
5
127,178
Total
518,830
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
6
Resources expended on charitable activities
444,157
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
74,673
Transfers between funds
18
(66,117)
Net movement in funds
8,556
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
383,635
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
**392,191 **		 Restricted
funds
£
45,174
37,825
-
-
82,999
151,583
(68,584)
66,117
(2,467)
7,710
5,243		 2025
Total
funds
£
420,851
50,607
3,193
127,178
601,829
595,740
6,089
-
6,089
391,345
**397,434 **		 2024
Total
funds
£
412,381
49,839
3,110
140,066
605,396
626,554
(21,158)
-
(21,158)
412,503
391,345

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 12

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets
13
23,423
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
14
147,206
Cash at bank and in hand
255,572
402,778
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
15
(34,010)
NET CURRENT ASSETS
368,768
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
392,191
NET ASSETS
392,191
FUNDS
18
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted
funds
£
5,243
-
-
-
-
-
5,243
5,243		 2025
Total
funds
£
28,666
147,206
255,572
402,778
(34,010)
368,768
397,434
397,434
392,191
5,243
**397,434 **		 2024
Total
funds
£
37,552
287,044
121,199
408,243
(54,450)
353,793
391,345
391,345
383,635
7,710
391,345

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The members have not deposited notice, pursuant to Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 requiring an audit of these financial statements.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been audited under the requirements of Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.

The notes form part of these financial statements

continued...

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED (REGISTERED NUMBER: 01321359B)

BALANCE SHEET - continued 31 MARCH 2025

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 25 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

S J Whitehead - Trustee

N Gloudon - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
1
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the
reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of
the reporting period
2
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the
reporting period
2		 2025
£
151,444
151,444
(4,879)
3,193
(1,686)
149,758
105,814
255,572		 2024
£
(114,038)
(114,038)
(5,888)
3,110
(2,778)
(116,816)
222,630
105,814

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 15

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the Statement of
Financial Activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
Interest received
Decrease/(increase) in debtors
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
Net cash provided by/(used in) operations
2.
ANALYSIS OF CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash in hand
Notice deposits (less than 3 months)
Overdrafts included in bank loans and overdrafts falling due within one year
Total cash and cash equivalents		 2025
£
6,089
13,765
(3,193)
139,838
(5,055)
151,444
2025
£
690
254,882
-
255,572		 2024
£
(21,158)
39,532
(3,110)
(143,647)
14,345
(114,038)
2024
£
1,129
120,070
(15,385)
105,814

3. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.4.24 Cash flow At 31.3.25
£ £ £
Net cash
Cash at bank and in hand 121,199 134,373 255,572
Bank overdraft (15,385) 15,385 -
105,814 149,758 255,572
Total 105,814 149,758 255,572

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 16

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the process of applying the entity's accounting policies management have not made any judgements that would have a significant effect on the amounts recognised in the financial statements. No estimations have been made that would have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income is shown net of VAT

Theatre admission fees

Income from theatre admission fees is included in incoming resources in the period in which the relevant show takes place.

Donations and grants

Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable, except as follows:-

When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants, are for particular restricted purposes, but these do not amount to pre-conditions regarding entitlement, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.

Gifts in kind

Goods and services received in kind are included within the financial statements where this can be quantified. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.

Interest receivable

Interest is included when receivable by the Company.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Company to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Motor vehicles - 25% on reducing balance Equipment - 10% & 25% NBV and 25% straight line

continued...

Page 17

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Taxation

The Company is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the charitable objects of the Company. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Designated funds are funds set aside at the discretion of the directors out of unrestricted general funds and intended for specific future purposes or projects.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

The scheme operated by the Company complies with the auto enrolement rules.

Government grants

Government grants are recognised when there is reasonable assurance that the company will comply with the conditions attaching to the grant and the grant will be received.

2. DONATIONS AND GRANTS

Grants receivable
Gifts in kind		 2025
£
352,904
67,947
**420,851 **		 2024
£
347,686
64,695
412,381

The gift in kind relates to the use of M6 Theatre premises by the Company which is owned by RMBC. The value of the gift is determined by RMBC annually.

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

4.

5.

Deposit account interest
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Activity
Fees and box office
Charitable activities
OTHER INCOME
Film/theatre tax relief receivable		 2025
£
3,193
2025
£
50,607
2025
£
127,178		 2024
£
3,110
2024
£
49,839
2024
£
140,066

continued...

Page 18

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Resources expended on charitable activities
DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Staff costs
Marketing
Production fees
Tour costs
Sets and costumes
Administration
Asset costs
Studio Theatre use
Theatre use, facilities management company charge
Depreciation		 Direct
Costs (see
note 7)
£
587,160		 Support
costs (see
note 8)
£
8,580
2025
£
322,541
10,935
66,246
18,162
11,568
41,901
19,345
67,947
14,750
13,765
587,160		 Totals
£
595,740
2024
£
321,473
10,341
54,475
12,681
16,031
55,424
17,519
64,695
27,023
39,532
619,194

7. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

8. SUPPORT COSTS

Resources expended on charitable activities

Governance costs £ 8,580

Governance costs of £8,580 are made up of £2,465 audit and £5,535 accounts preparation and £580 bank charges.

9. NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

Auditors' remuneration
Auditors' remuneration for non audit work
Depreciation - owned assets		 2025
£
2,465
5,535
13,765		 2024
£
2,115
4,745
39,532

10. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

continued...

Page 19

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11. STAFF COSTS

Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
Three key personnel received total emoluments of £144,076 during the year.
The full time equivalent number of staff is 7.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Management and administration staff
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
12.
COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted
funds
£
INCOME FROM
Donations and grants
366,116
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
16,413
Investment income
3,110
Other income
140,066
Total
525,705
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
Resources expended on charitable activities
444,192
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
81,513
Transfers between funds
(72,516)
Net movement in funds
8,997
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
374,640
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
383,637		 2025
£
295,929
14,965
11,647
322,541
2025
9
Restricted
funds
£
46,265
33,426
-
-
79,691
182,362
(102,671)
72,516
(30,155)
37,863
7,708		 2024
£
290,335
17,021
14,117
321,473
2024
10
Total
funds
£
412,381
49,839
3,110
140,066
605,396
626,554
(21,158)
-
(21,158)
412,503
391,345

continued...

Page 20

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

13. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

COST
At 1 April 2024
Additions
At 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION
At 1 April 2024
Charge for year
At 31 March 2025
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
14.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Trade debtors
Film/theatre tax relief
VAT
Prepayments
15.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 16)
Trade creditors
Social security and other taxes
Accrued expenses
Deferred income		 Motor
vehicles
Equipment
£
£
39,765
299,164
-
4,879
39,765
304,043
29,528
271,849
2,318
11,447
31,846
283,296
7,919
20,747
10,237
27,315
2025
£
12,600
127,178
2,605
4,823
147,206
2025
£
-
4,902
4,690
11,503
12,915
34,010		 Totals
£
338,929
4,879		 Totals
£
338,929
4,879
343,808
301,377
13,765
315,142
28,666
37,552
2024
£
5,857
264,576
7,027
9,584
287,044
2024
£
15,385
15,504
4,346
12,548
6,667
54,450

Deferred income relates to income received in advance for projects to be undertaken after the year end. The amounts are included within the Income and Expenditure Account for the period in which they are deemed to be recognised.

16. LOANS

An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below:

Amounts falling due within one year on demand:
Bank overdrafts		 2025
£
-		 2024
£
15,385

continued...

Page 21

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17. LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases falling due as follows:-

Between one and five years
18.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated Employment Fund
Designated Engagement Fund
Designated Asset Replacement Fund
Designated 50th Birthday Fund
Designated Capital Exploratory Fund
Restricted funds
Capital Development Fund
RALP - Capital
Participatory Projects
Aiming High Capital
Tudor Trust Wellbeing
Outreach
Act To Shine
Curriculum For Life
The Incident
Even Stevens
A Tiger's Tale
TOTAL FUNDS		 Net
movement
At 1.4.24
in funds
£
£
263,635
74,673
35,000
-
25,000
-
60,000
-
-
-
-
-
383,635
74,673
3,086
(310)
2,741
(274)
-
(30,139)
1,813
(1,813)
70
(110)
-
3,583
-
12,840
-
2,000
-
(36,589)
-
(1,868)
-
(15,904)
7,710
(68,584)
391,345
6,089		 2025
£
3,600
Transfers
between
funds
£
(81,117)
-
-
-
10,000
5,000
(66,117)
-
-
30,139
-
40
(3,583)
(12,840)
(2,000)
36,589
1,868
15,904
66,117
-		 2024
£
4,500
At
31.3.25
£
257,191
35,000
25,000
60,000
10,000
5,000
392,191
2,776
2,467
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,243
**397,434 **













continued...

Page 22

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Capital Development Fund
RALP - Capital
Participatory Projects
Aiming High Capital
Tudor Trust Wellbeing
Outreach
Act To Shine
Curriculum For Life
The Incident
Even Stevens
A Tiger's Tale
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
518,830
-
-
1,501
-
-
6,461
18,581
2,000
4,000
4,000
46,456
82,999
601,829		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(444,157)
74,673
(310)
(310)
(274)
(274)
(31,640)
(30,139)
(1,813)
(1,813)
(110)
(110)
(2,878)
3,583
(5,741)
12,840
-
2,000
(40,589)
(36,589)
(5,868)
(1,868)
(62,360)
(15,904)
(151,583)
(68,584)
(595,740)
6,089

Comparatives for movement in funds

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated Employment Fund
Designated Engagement Fund
Designated Asset Replacement Fund
Designated Transistion & Sustainability Fund
Restricted funds
Capital Development Fund
RALP - Capital
Participatory Projects
Aiming High Capital
Tudor Trust Wellbeing
Nest
TOTAL FUNDS		 Net
movement
At 1.4.23
in funds
£
£
259,640
81,511
30,000
-
20,000
-
50,000
-
15,000
-
374,640
81,511
3,429
(343)
3,046
(305)
-
(39,932)
30,993
(29,180)
395
(325)
-
(32,584)
37,863
(102,669)
412,503
(21,158)		 Transfers
between
funds
£
(77,516)
5,000
5,000
10,000
(15,000)
(72,516)
-
-
39,932
-
-
32,584
72,516
-		 At
31.3.24
£
263,635
35,000
25,000
60,000
-
383,635
3,086
2,741
-
1,813
70
-
7,710
391,345

continued...

Page 23

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Capital Development Fund
RALP - Capital
Participatory Projects
Aiming High Capital
Tudor Trust Wellbeing
Nest
TOTAL FUNDS		 Incoming
resources
£
525,704
-
-
33,686
-
-
46,006
79,692
605,396		 Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(444,193)
81,511
(343)
(343)
(305)
(305)
(73,618)
(39,932)
(29,180)
(29,180)
(325)
(325)
(78,590)
(32,584)
(182,361)
(102,669)
(626,554)
(21,158)

RESERVES - RESTRICTED FUNDS

Capital Development Fund

Relates to a grant received during 1996 for new equipment. The reserve is being written off at the same rate as the depreciation on the equipment purchased.

RALP - Capital

Capital items supporting the charity's relocation to the new Studio Theatre in 2004 funded by the Regional Arts Lottery Programme. The reserve is being written off at the same rate as the depreciation on the equipment purchased.

Participatory Projects

M6's annual participatory programme in 2024-2025 was funded by a range of small grants including BBC Children In Need; Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale CCG (Creative Ways to Wellbeing) and Barnardo's to signpost to cultural activity opportunities borough-wide and co-develop and deliver 4 strands of creative interventions, all designed to improve the wellbeing of children, young people and their families. The content and form of these targeted early interventions are designed to support participants to 1. Be Active, 2. Connect, 3. Learn, 4. Be Mindful and 5. Give. and provide regular out-of-hours participatory drama based workshops for children and young people to build confidence, life and theatre skills through engagement in positive social activities, culminating in theatre productions & films shared with local community.

Aiming High Capital

Key investment from Arts Council England to support M6's strategic ambitions for environmentally friendly technical touring equipment, digital infrastructure developments and increased accessibility.

Investment commenced in 2019 and was completed at the end of March 2021. M6 match funded from designated asset replacement reserves and RBC contributed in-kind support.

The balance represents Arts Council income for capital expenditure to date, net of depreciation. The fund was fully utilised during the year.

Tudor Trust Wellbeing

Grant to support the wellbeing of M6 team during the pandemic, lockdown and recovery periods. The fund was fully utilised during the year.

Nest 2023

M6's Nest tour and Linking Schools programme connected to the show was part funded by NHS Integrated Care Partnership and RMBC Early Help & Schools. This included a local schools tour, tour to national theatre venues, community performances in Rochdale, and 20 days of workshops and performances at M6 Studio Theatre where two local schools came together to watch a performance and create their "Wishes for the World"

continued...

Page 24

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

A Tiger's Tale 2024

M6's A Tiger's Tale tour 2024 and Linking Schools programme connected to the show was part funded by NHS Integrated Care Partnership and RMBC Early Help & Schools. This included a local schools tour, tour to national theatre venues, community performances in Rochdale and 17 days of workshops and performances at M6 Studio Theatre where two local schools came together to watch performances and participate in an act of "peaceful protest"

Various Productions

Several restricted grants were received during the year, including from Rochdale Council, Granada Foundation, John Thaw Foundation, Transport for Sick Children and Action Together to contribute towards/facilitate new productions and projects. Excess expenditures/ incomes have been adjusted via transfers to/from general reserves as and when the production/project ended.

RESERVES - UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED FUNDS

Employment Fund

This fund was set up by the Directors in March 2016 to support the organisational priorities of increasing the diversity of freelance artists and facilitators, talent development and staffing expansion plans as required. The fund was augmented in 2024 from the Transition and Sustainability fund to support future expansion.

Engagement Fund

This fund was set up by the Directors in March 2016 to help reduce the barriers to engagement for audiences and participants from under represented communities. This includes funds to address the cultural education challenge in schools including the development of a Rochdale Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEP) and was augmented in 2024 from the Transitional and Sustainability fund, to support local Priority Place developments in 2024 and beyond.

Asset Replacement Fund

This fund was set up by the Directors in 2016 to build up the necessary funding to replace and enhance M6's theatre equipment, IT systems, website and touring van as required to achieve our highest quality experience ambition and environmental sustainability objective of lower carbon footprint. The fund was augmented in 2024 to ensure we have the match funding level necessary for significant investment to realise our green ambitions.

Capital Exploratory Fund

This fund was set up by the Directors in 2025 to explore options around M6's building/capital development needs.

50th Birthday Fund

This fund was set up by Directors in 2025 to support activity, programme and engagement relating to M6's 50th birthday celebrations in 2027.

Transfers between funds

Inter-fund transfers allocate discretionary Board-approved designations, contribute funds to specific projects to fully offset costs and/or allocate staff costs to specific projects.

Page 25

continued...

M6 THEATRE COMPANY LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

19. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

One member of the board of trustees is employed by RMBC, a grant in kind provider. There were no other related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Page 26