CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2024
What a wonderful year we’ve had! The Phoenix Theatre is flourishing. I never cease to be amazed by the outstanding array of talent displayed by our members both on stage and behind the scenes.
Our thespians have performed in an array of outstanding productions this year. In November we had, ‘Crazy Horses’, directed by Maurice Thompson. This was a very entertaining and unusual comedy based on the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. In spring Brian Jackson directed ‘Maggie May’, acclaimed by the critic for the sensitive way it dealt with the subject of dementia and demonstrating, ‘ moments of great theatre’. With a less experienced director and less talented cast this might not have been the case. Our summer production was, ‘The Unexpected Guest’, directed by Amanda Barrett. It is one of Agatha Christies lesser known plays which meant that audiences could play the amateur sleuth as they watched. This production was a complete sell out. We even had a number of people on a waiting list for cancellations.
Some of you will remember seeing ‘Murder in Company’, directed by Renee Field last June. If so, you will be pleased to hear that it won the prestigious NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) award for best Drama. While we’re on the subject of awards, The Phoenix Singers also won the NODA award for best concert, for the second year running, with their Summer Concert, ‘Anything Goes’. I understand that our musical production, ‘Venice Revisited’ ran a very close second for best musical. In fact, we’re beginning to get a bit of a reputation for excellence here at the Phoenix and we couldn’t be more proud!
The Singers also entertained us with their excellent Christmas Concert, which for many of us marks the start of the Christmas season. This annual concert raises money for the Lions Christmas appeal to help them provide a Christmas Day meal and a bit of company for local people who may otherwise spend the day alone. In fact some of you may not be aware of how much the Singers do to support charity. The October Performathon always raises money for Children in Need. This year the Singers put on a special Concert to raise money for a local dementia Café as well as visiting a retirement home to put on a free concert for residents. Well done to all involved.
Last week I saw the Singers summer Concert, ‘Colours of Life’ and thoroughly enjoyed a very colourful evening. What a treat!
Our Youth Theatre is going from strength to strength. They performed ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ last July and in April, ‘The Wonder Crumping World of Roald Dhal’. Both productions were very well received by the NODA critic. Not only that but the children really enjoy performing as their talent and confidence grows throughout the year, under the guidance of Kate Ross in conjunction with The Courtyard Theatre.
Under the leadership of Graham Russell, Screen at the Phoenix has become increasingly popular due to his carefully selected and varied programme of films which now includes offerings from NTLive. In July, in collaboration with Flicks in the Sticks, we will be hosting our first week long film festival with daily screenings. Flicks in the Sticks will also be showing a monthly mid week screening in addition to our own programme which is something for the film buffs amongst you to look out for.
Our member’s evenings have really taken off this year. We’ve had an ‘Open Mic’ evening, quizzes, a comedy improvisation evening and rehearsed readings. In fact we’ve tried to provide something for everyone and I think we’ve achieved it. Our 40[th] Anniversary ‘Black Tie’ event took place at the Royal Hotel in January. During the evening two Lifetime awards were made by NODA to Cherry Bullock and Howard Owen. They are our longest serving members and their lifetime commitment to our theatre has been and still is highly commendable.
In addition to our own productions, the Phoenix Theatre is proving a very attractive venue for some of our regular visiting performers who you will no doubt be familiar with. The versatile Peter Gill who regularly fills the theatre and who is able to switch from Jerry Lee Lewis to a more serious play ‘Talbot House’ based on the First World War. Keith James has also drawn big audiences with his songs of Leonard Cohen and Cat Stevens. Then we have ‘Our Star Theatre Company who will be performing here again in September. This time they will be bringing a comedy called, ‘Death at Sea’.
Sadly this year we have lost Marion Contreras who for many years was a member of the Phoenix Singers but she also helped with front of house and was often seen behind the bar. Her cheerful smile is much missed.
We have also lost Richard Elgood. Although not a member, Richard was a co-writer of ‘Venice Re-visited’, a NODA nominated musical which some of you may have seen last year. He also co-wrote, ‘Beautiful Forever’. the premiere of which will be performed at the Phoenix next April, in his memory. His co-writer is Richard Watson, a very accomplished pianist who regularly accompanies, and sometimes performs with the Singers.
As membership secretary, I’m pleased to report that we have recently seen an influx of new members who have been keen to get involved with the theatre both on stage and behind the scenes. Some have taken part in auditions and some have joined the Singers, whilst others have supported our Front of House, technical and set building teams.
This brings me to my annual appeal for more volunteers willing to support our productions behind the scenes. Without a backstage crew or a Front of House team none of our productions could go ahead. The more volunteers we have the wider it will spread the load so if you can give us a little of your time we would love to hear from you. To those of you who already work quietly behind the scenes, our heartfelt thanks.
A big thank you too, to all our performers. You are a very talented group of people. I have frequently heard our productions, quite rightly described as ‘being of a professional standard’. Long may it continue!
This is my final year as Chair. I must admit that I found it quite daunting at first but as I grew into it, I’ve really enjoyed it. I couldn’t have done it without the tireless support of our excellent Committee who give their time so selflessly to the day to day running of the theatre. Thank you to all of them. Together we try to ensure that all our productions are as successful, enjoyable and professional as they can be. I will remain on the Committee and continue to support the theatre in anyway that I can.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to making the Phoenix Theatre the success that it is.
It’s hard to believe that all this is done by volunteers…………but it is!
THE PHOENIX THEATRE FINANCIAL REPORT 1[ST] MAY 2023 – 30[TH] APRIL 2024
| INCOME | This year | Last year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bar | £7,724.13 | £6,543.09 | ||
| Car Parking | £1,260.00 | £ 800.00 | ||
| Subscriptions | £1,905.00 | £1,830.00 | ||
| Theatre Hire | £6,826.12 | £5,490.88 | ||
| Cinema – Screen at the Phoenix | £4,152.83 | £2,154.52 | ||
| Donations | £ 172.50 | £ 280.00 | ||
| Productions: | Murder in Company | £3,619.20 | ||
| Anything Goes | £1,677.80 | |||
| Alice in Wonderland | £2,241.97 | |||
| Crazy Horses | £4,589.89 | |||
| Singers Christmas Concert | £1,342.96 | |||
| Maggie May | £2,943.05 | |||
| Wonder Crumping | £2,609.23 | £19,024.10 |
£15,465.80 | |
| Refunds - electricity | £ 365.57 |
£ 0.00 | ||
| General – Christmas | party ticket sales | £ 205.00 |
£ 0.00 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | £41,635.25 |
£32,564.33 | ||
| EXPENSES | This year | Last year | ||
| Bar | £4,062.39 | £2,584.43 | ||
| New Equipment | £ 0.00 | £5,234.85 | ||
| Maintenance: | Cleaning & materials | £2,185.30 | ||
| General maintenance | £1,630.81 | |||
| Health & safety | £ 294.00 | £4,110.11 | £3,506.81 | |
| Theatre Hire | £4,525.58 | £3,710.13 | ||
| Cinema – Screen at the Phoenix | £2,055.82 | £1,196.32 | ||
| Insurance | £1,850.95 | £1,697.24 | ||
| Licences | £ 777.64 | £ 669.57 | ||
| Professional Fees | £ 120.00 | £ 120.00 | ||
| Productions: | Venice Revisited | £ 105.00 | ||
| Murder in Company | £1,212.88 | |||
| Anything Goes | £ 938.60 | |||
| Alice in Wonderland | £ 249.33 | |||
| Crazy Horses | £2,079.27 | |||
| Singers Christmas Concert | £ 567.00 | |||
| Maggie May | £1,736.77 | |||
| Singers Summer Show | £ 144.74 | |||
| The Unexpected Guest | £ 207.11 | |||
| Wonder Crumping | £ 194.00 | |||
| Future Productions | £ 26.08 | £7,460.78 | £7,367.40 | |
| Utilities: | Electricity | £2,768.25 | ||
| Gas | £2,470.16 | |||
| Water | £ 243.22 | |||
| Internet | £ 450.52 | |||
| Telephone | £ 507.38 | |||
| TV Licence | £ 159.00 | £6,598.63 | £5,581.07 |
General – website, stationery, display board planning application, Epos Now till sub, Christmas party, dinner dance, NODA sub, picture frames
£2,011.12
£2,336.69
TOTAL EXPENDITURE £33,573.02 £34,004.51
Surplus for Year £ 8,062.23
LLOYDS CURRENT ACCOUNT as at 30[th] April 2024 £25,975.50
TOTAL OPENING BALANCE (INCLUDING OPENING ASSETS) as at 1[st] May 2023
£48,530.57
Bar stock £ 537.80 Bar float £ 80.00 Production Float £ 100.00 Bank Account - current £25,975.50 Bank Account – deposit (including income from interest) £30,422.38 Total Closing Balances £57,115.68
TOTAL CLOSING BALANCE (INCLUDING CLOSING ASSETS) as at 30[th] April 2024 £57,115.68
TREASURER'S REPORT 2023 – 2024
I am pleased to say that things have been very busy at the theatre this year. Theatre productions of Murder in Company, Crazy Horses and Maggie May have taken place and the Phoenix Singers have put on performances of Anything Goes and the Singers Christmas Concert. The theatre has also been used for outside hire including the Our Star Theatre Company, Peter Gill and Keith James. The Phoenix Youth (with members of the team from The Courtyard Theatre) has put on productions of Alice in Wonderland and Wonder Crumping and the Screen at the Phoenix cinema has shown a number of films including NT Live screenings.
Income this year has come from the gross profit from individual productions – Murder in Company £2,292.43 (including £113.89 expenditure from last year), Anything Goes £739.20, Crazy Horses £2,510.62, Singers Christmas Concert £775.96, Maggie May £1,206.28 – as well as the Phoenix Youth productions, the cinema screenings and the hire of the theatre for outside productions.
Expenditure this year has been on the general day to day running costs of the theatre, with no main area of expenditure like new equipment.
The sum of £30,000 was transferred into a deposit account in order to take advantage of the increase in interest rates.
Excluding productions, the net overall expenditure of running the theatre this year (i.e. bar, maintenance, insurance, licences, general items and utilities) has totalled in the region of £8,500 taking into account the offsetting income received from the bar, car parking and subscriptions.
At the end of the financial year, we are in a very good financial position with a total balance of £56,397.88 in the current and deposit bank accounts. And, with a full programme of productions and events organised for the coming year the theatre will continue to grow from strength to strength.
Amanda Barrett – Treasurer
ROBERT JT WILLIAMS KRISMAR ALTON STREET ROSS ON WYE HEREFORDSHIRE HR9 5NN
Phoenix Theatre- Audit of the accounts for the period from 1[st] May 2023 to 30th April 2024.
Opening assets of £48,530.57 plus income of £41,635.25 less expenses of £33,573.02 were agreed to the closing assets of £57,115.68 after taking into account an increase in the bar stock of £100.50 and interest of £422.38 earned on the deposit account.
The closing assets were represented by :-
Lloyds Bank current account £25,975.50 Lloyds Bank deposit account £30,422.38 Bar stock £ 537.80 Bar float £ 80.00 Cash reserve £ 100.00
Total £57,115.68
Closing Assets
The bank balances of £25,975.50 and £30,422.38 were checked and agreed to the bank statements.
Bar stock of £537.80 was checked and agreed to the bar stock report.
Production floats were unchanged from the previous year.
All accounts in Sage checked and agreed to the amounts recorded in the financial report.
Income
Samples of income checked and traced to the paying in books and bank statements
Events statements checked and relevant receipts checked to the bank statements.
Receipts for subscriptions totalled and agreed to the paying in books.
Receipts for parking and donations checked and traced to bank statements.
Expenditure
Sample of invoices checked, and subsequent payments checked to cheque stubs and to bank statements.
Payments also cross checked to final accounts.
Direct debit agreements checked to bank statements and final accounts.
Profitability of the various productions noted.
Overall Review
Having carried out the audit I am happy that the financial position of the Phoenix Theatre is accurately stated by the accounts prepared.
Robert J.T.Williams
Date…………………