Chairman’s Report 2022 – 2023
The 2022 – 2023 season was our first full season of four plays after emerging from the impact of the Covid restrictions that restricted us to three production in the previous season.
With the first production of the season not taking place until early December members took the opportunity to refresh the décor in the ladies and gents toilets as well as upgrading the lighting in a number of areas including the dressing room, the corridors and again in the loos. New cupboards were constructed in the corridor to accommodate the storage of janitorial supplies and reorganise and store our collection of props. We finally got around to upgrading the external signage and lighting to make it much clearer that Poynton does have a theatre. Further work is required to the ladies and gents toilets including the floor and sanitary ware however time and finances meant that this has been deferred for the time being but it is hoped that this can be competed in the near future.
Moving on to productions, the first of these was Twelfth Night (or whatever) by William Shakespeare adapted and directed by Peter Lancaster. A first Shakespeare production for Poynton Players and it wasn’t clear how our audiences would react but as it turns out we needn’t have worried. We sold 95% of our tickets and feedback received was excellent. All members associated with the production really enjoyed the experience and hopefully we now look forward to another Shakespeare production in the future. I have it on good authority that Peter has another adaptation lined up and ready to go…watch this space.
Our second production in February was Triple Play. Three one act plays by our good friend and member Adam Colclough. Although there were some challenges in casting for all three plays these were overcome with a combination of guest actors and doubling. The format allowed us to give Poynton Player directorial debuts to David Hyde and Nigel Wells as well as a welcome return to directing to long term member Sue Holland. Although ticket sales were lower at 61% our production expenses were also lower and Adam kindly agreed that in lieu of royalties, a £600 donation to Cancer Research would be made. Mention needs to be made of the wonderful oak tree that was created by Jennie and David Massingham and created an impactful set for One Two Tree!
The concept of presenting three of Adam’s plays had been first discussed prior to the Covid close down and was planned as a memorial to our friend and past Chairman Robin Thompson so it was great that both Peter and Elsie Thompson could be involved in one of the 1 Act plays, Mirror Signal Manoeuvred. This play was subsequently entered into the Wilmslow Guild Players One Act Festival where it won the Adjudicators Award.
The third production Fondly Remembered in April, had been another casualty of the Covid lock down and was originally due to be presented in March 2020 but had to be cancelled a week before it was due to be performed. It was great that Peter Thompson was once again able to direct this comedy albeit it some cast changes. Ticket sales were a disappointing 64% although its proximity to the Easter holidays may have been a factor here.
Choosing production dates is always a challenge each season as we have to try to avoid holiday periods, bank holidays and the summer months. Other local
societies have the same challenge and invariably it turns out there are often other local productions taking place during the same weeks, Although we have a good cohort of regular attendees there will be others who attend multiple societies’ productions and have to choose which one to attend. We also have members who are part of other societies and their contribution is often shared with those other groups and impacts their availability for casting or other production roles. Not sure there is an easy answer to these issues but it lies somewhere in attracting new members and maximising our publicity and push for ticket sales.
Our last production in June was Silver Lining by Sandi Toksvig directed by David Hyde with a predominantly female cast. We chose this play as the author was well known and was a genuinely funny play with great characters and a challenging set and props list. Something to get our teeth into. We were rewarded by ticket sales of 78% and really good feedback from our audiences. Remind me however not to choose another play where we have to build a boat on stage!
Next Season’s plays have already been announced and contains a mix of comedy and drama with all plays being written or adapted within the last 10 years. I have not seen any of these plays being produced by amateur societies locally so once again Poynton Players leads the way and I hope this generates a lot of interest with our audiences as well as other societies. Three of these plays were chosen following recommendation from members and thanks must go to Gary for co-ordinating the play selection sub-committee this season. Please keep you recommendations coming
I am pleased to say that The Good Life has been cast nice and early with most of the back stage roles filled as well. Directed by Janine, rehearsals are just about to kick off so please look out for any requests for help. We have directors for two of our other plays After Miss Julie directed by Peter Lancaster and All the Ordinary Angels directed by Jennie Lewis. We are still looking for a director for ART at this time.
This time last year my message was I’m afraid a little negative regarding the future of our society but what a difference 12 months makes. We have taken a much more proactive approach to new member enquiries and I pleased to say that we have welcomed four new members this season who are taking active roles in the society. Amna who appeared in Silver Linings, Toni who is helping with practical skills in set building and theatre maintenance, Helen who helped with props for Silver Lining and is appearing in The Good Life and finally Rachel who has auditioned and supported in the bar and front of house. Additionally we have had a further four new members join us for next season as well as a couple of other enquiries that we are progressing.
The recent introduction of a monthly club night on the last Thursday of each month has provided a focus to meet up socially, a chance to meet new members and help maintain the momentum of our society. So far we have had quizzes, play readings, play launch and a performance of award winning Mirror Signal, Manoeuvred. Please support these as much as possible and if you have any ideas for future nights please let the committee know.
We continue to hire out our beautiful little theatre when we can do to boost our income and hopefully increase our visibility in the community. Thanks to Janine for managing this task which has seen a dance school hire as well as other ad hoc evening hires by local band. A further exciting use of theatre has come from Macclesfield based Norther Rep Theatre who are currently rehearsing their latest production “ Not Being Mean But…” in the theatre and plan a four show run on the 14[th] , 15[th] and 16[th] September. As well as a welcome addition to our finances it is hoped that this be the start of a mutually beneficial relationship going forward. Our old friend Pete Munro is currently the company’s business manager. Actor David Threlfall has recently become a patron of Northern Rep Theatre.
At last year’s AGM we committed to reaching out to Poynton High School to explore ways of mutually supporting each other and following an initial contact with Head of Drama, Ali Cutler we have established a renewed relationship and hope to build on this going forward. The challenge we have is that as a society we do not currently have the resources to accommodate under 18s that would require us, quite rightly, to follow the necessary child protection regulations and the commitment of specific members to ensure compliance. This is something that we will continue to keep under review should the circumstances change.
Health and Safety is very important and I would like to place on record the valuable work that Eric Sanderson has undertaken this season in progressing a review of all the relevant policies as well ensuring that the theatre complies with those policies making appropriate changes and improvements as necessary. Eric will continue this important review going forward that will also include an update to our constitution to make sure it is aligned with all the relevant policies and procedures. We will update you further in due course.
I would like to place on record my thanks to last season’s committee for all their help and support in making sure we have a society that we can all enjoy. Special thanks to Ron Cordon who is stepping down from the committee at this AGM after having served for many years.
I am pleased to report a more positive season and one we will strive to continue going forward.
| 2 0 2 3 | 2 0 2 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P R O D U C T I O N | R E C E I P T S | ||||
| T i c k e t s a l e s | 1 8 , 4 2 6 | 8 , 6 5 6 | |||
| P r o g r a m m e | s a l e | s | 0 | 0 | |
| 1 8 , 4 2 6 | 8 , 6 5 6 | ||||
| P R O D U C T I O NC O S T S | |||||
| P r i n t i n g ,s t a | t i o n e r y&a d v e r t i s i n g | 1 , 7 5 3 | 1 , 3 4 5 | ||
| T i c k e t s o u r c e c o s t s | 1 , 4 2 5 | 7 5 0 | |||
| T i c k e t s h a r e | 0 | 3 5 9 | |||
| R o y a l t i e s& | f e e s | 9 1 | 1 , 4 8 9 | ||
| S c r i p t s | 4 4 7 | 2 8 7 | |||
| P r o p s / c o s t u m e / s | e t | 1 , 9 4 3 | 3 , 1 3 6 | ||
| 5 , 6 5 9 | 7 , 3 6 6 | ||||
| G E N E R A LI N C O M E | |||||
| G r a n t sr e c e i v e d | 0 | 2 , 6 6 7 | |||
| S a l eo fp r o p | s | 4 3 | 1 0 1 | ||
| B a r | 7 , 6 6 0 | 3 , 3 3 1 | |||
| R e f r e s h m e n t s ,raffle, f o h | 0 | 0 | |||
| M e m b e r s ' s u b s c r i p t i o n s | 1 , 2 8 5 | 1 7 5 | |||
| T h e a t r eh i r e | 3 0 | 2 8 0 | |||
| D o n a t i o n s | 2 3 | 2 4 | |||
| I n t e r e s tr e c e i v e d | 7 4 | 5 | |||
| 9 , 1 1 5 | 6 , 5 8 3 | ||||
| G E N E R A L | E X P | E N S E S | |||
| B a r | 2 , 8 0 6 | 1 , 2 1 3 | |||
| R e f r e s h m e n t s ,raffle, f o h | 2 3 3 | 4 4 2 | |||
| W a t e r | 9 6 0 | 9 0 5 | |||
| H e a t&light | 3 , 7 0 8 | 3 , 6 8 7 | |||
| I n s u r a n c e | 1 , 5 6 2 | 2 , 0 4 6 | |||
| T e l e p h o n e | 4 9 7 | 4 3 8 | |||
| L i c e n c e s | 2 , 4 9 7 | 1 2 8 | |||
| W e b s i t e c o s | t s | 1 9 8 | 1 9 8 | ||
| F l o w e r s | 0 | 7 6 | |||
| A c c o u n t a n c y | 1 8 0 | 1 8 0 | |||
| B a n k c h a r g e s | 0 | 2 7 0 | |||
| R e p a i r s&r e n e w a l s | 4 , 4 9 6 | 6 , 7 2 8 | |||
| C l e a n i n g&w a s t | e | 3 4 1 | 8 8 0 | ||
| D o n a t i o n s | 6 7 1 | 1 4 7 | |||
| O t h e r e x p e n | s e s | 8 1 | 2 2 9 | ||
| 1 8 , 2 3 0 | 1 7 , 5 6 7 | ||||
| S U R P L U S/ | D E F I C I T F O R T H E Y E A R | £3,652 | -£9,694 |
POYNTON PLAYERS
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE 2023
| 2023 ASSETS EMPLOYED : FIXED ASSETS Playhouse at cost £529 Altera�ons and improvements at cost £120,363 Equipment at cost £10,633 Ligh�ng systems at cost £32,258 £166,783 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank & in hand £21,890 Prepayment £1,149 Stock £250 £23,379 £190,162 FINANCED BY: GENERAL FUND Balance brought forward £186.540 Defcit/Surplus for year £3,652 £190,162 |
2022 £529 £117,550 £10,633 £32,258 £163,790 |
|---|---|
£21,228 £963 £349 £22,450 £186,510 £196,204 -£9,694 £186,510 |
The accounts have been prepared without audit from the records maintained and are in accordance therewith.
Parro�s of Cheshire Ltd.
24 Gawsworth Road
Tel. 07946 514911 15th August 2023
POYNTON PLAYERS
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30TH JUNE 2023
| 2023 ASSETS EMPLOYED : FIXED ASSETS Playhouse at cost £529 Altera�ons and improvements at cost £120,363 Equipment at cost £10,633 Ligh�ng systems at cost £32,258 £166,783 CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank & in hand £21,890 Prepayment £1,149 Stock £250 £23,379 £190,162 FINANCED BY: GENERAL FUND Balance brought forward £186.540 Defcit/Surplus for year £3,652 £190,162 |
2022 £529 £117,550 £10,633 £32,258 £163,790 |
|---|---|
£21,228 £963 £349 £22,450 £186,510 £196,204 -£9,694 £186,510 |
The accounts have been prepared without audit from the records maintained and are in accordance therewith.
Parro�s of Cheshire Ltd.
24 Gawsworth Road
Tel. 07946 514911 15th August 2023