THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Registered Charity No. 509915
Annual Report of the Trustees
and
Unaudited Financial Statements
For the period 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIErY
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the period I" September 2024 to 31" August 2025
Contents
Page
Legal & Administrative Information
Trustee's Annual Report
Sto7
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Artivities
Balance Sheet
io
Notes to the accounts
IltolS
Trustee's Declaration
16
Report and F.'nancial Statement5
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 2

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Legal and Admlnlstrailve Informatlon
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER
509915 (Englènd and Wales)
GOVERNING OFFICERS
Name
Position
Mrj M Fairfoot
Mr P Hopkins
Mrs B Booth IFCCAI
Mr A Thomson
Mrs G M Ellis
President
Chairman
HonoraryTreasurer
Business Manager
Honorary Secretary
COMMIThEE MEMBERS
Mrs K Townend
Vice Chairman
Mrs J D Page
Mr l Thomson
Mr M Porter
Life Vice President
Method of appolntment
The Society was 8overned by the above Officers. who are elected annually at the AGM, together with committee
members. who are elected for three years. two of whom retire annually.
Key Management Remuneration
Mr lan Thomson recelved payment during the year for the provislon of stage management services provided to the
charity during the 2025 produttion of Les Misérables. The details of thi5 payment are Set out in the note5 to the
accounts.
No other trustees received remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
Correspondence address
Bankers
Mrs Beverley Booth IFCCAI
3 Stratton Park
Brighouse
HD6 3SN
SantaTrder
Park Row
Leeds
Tel:_ 0800 030 4321
Independent Examiner
C W Dlx Llmlted
Accountants & Business Advisors
4 Silkwood Court
Wakefield
WF5 9TP
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 3

GoverTrin8 document
The Leeds Amateur Operatic Society ILAOSI is a constituted organisation governed by the Rules of Membership dated
2020. It is registered with the Charity Commission number 509915. Rules revised 1966, amended October 1967,
October 1976 and Odober 2005. Reviewed and amended December 2020. November 2023 and December 2024.
Report and Finap.rial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 4

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Trustee's report for the peiiod I September 2024 to 31 August 2025
OBJEcfs AND POLICIES
The objerts of the Society are to foster the public knowledge and appreciation of Music and Drama by means of public
performances by voluntary but subscription paying members and to donate part of its production surplus to charitable
purposes as the Trustees shall from time to time determine.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Trusiees have paid due re8ard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activitie5 the charity
should undertake.
AcfiviTIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS- CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
Charitable Artlvltles
The activities of the Society during the year involved one very excitin8 main production at the Leeds Grand Theatre in
April 2025, with a Major new initiative from Cameron Mackintosh. the UK amateur premiere of Les Miserables Let The
People Singl
The Society wa5 invited and granted special pemiission from Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatrè International
IMTII, to perform one of eleven amateur premieres of this most beloved musical. We worked with three other local
groups to produce the best PO55ible community-wide production, to celebrate 40 years of this iconic show and
showcase the range of talent in the West Yorkshire region and the power of amateur theatre.
The produrtion was a significant undertaking for the Society. This was both, the most expensive production we have
ever staged, wa5 created on an unprecedented scale in the history of the society. We are proud to report that our
production of Les Misérables wa5 a resounding success and subsequently celebrated by MTI with a spectacular 40,
anniversary finale at the televised Royal Variety Performance in December 2025. This featured over 400 performers
at the Royal Albert Hall, including a showtase of amateur talent with members from our very own LAOS cast,
performing alon8side West End and international perfomiers. together with a star-studded line-up of professional
artists.
Our production at the Leeds Grand was widely praised as a spectacular, near professional quality amateur show and
a stunning example of community theatre at its very best. Les Mlsérables returned a proflt of £80,015 delightin8
audience5 Of more than twelve thousand across twelve performances, with 70% of the theatre capacity sold compared
to 59% for Legally Blonde In 2024. In the spirit of this community-wide project. the Society were delighted to welcome
some new and exceptionally talented members into principal roles and Some a5 ensemble and choir. This enabled the
Society to maintsin high standards and the objerts of the Society to be achieved.
Ticket sales revenue and the performantes of Les Misérables were strong and propelled the ticket sales revenue for
the Society to £435.182 for the first time in the Society history. This was a +226% increase compared to Legally Blonde
in 2024 and commensurate with the increased production costs for this unique opportunity.
The produrtion costs a550ciated with Les Miserables were significant and increased by +227% Ito £397,747) in
comparison to those incurred by our previous produttion, Legally Blonde in 2024. This increase was representative of
the sheer scale and quality of the production, the standèrds expected by MTI and the hire of The Leeds Grand theatre
for a period of two full weeks.
Report and Financial Ststements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 5

Aligned with the objects of the Society and to recognise the efforts and invaluable support from the three other local
amateur companie5 who participated in the project, the Trustees approved the payment of a charitable donation from
the production surplus, of £6,0(X) each to Buttershaw St Paul's Amateur Operatic Society, Leeds Insurance Dramatic
and Operatic Society and Wakefield West Riding Theatre Companv.
The Societys bank balance5 remain healthy at £227,753. of which £207,753 are unrestritted funds which the trustees
consider as essentlal to the working capital requirement to fund the investment in future productions. This amount
will fund the production costs for the followlng flnanclal year.
We are mindful that many amateur socletles have sadly ceased to exist or have Scaled back theii productions. due to
the escalating costs of theatre hire, productlon cost5 and royalties. The society is activety taking steps to address these
challenges, ensuring that we remain resilient and sustainable to help secure the long-term success of LAOS and ensure
our produrtlons continue to inspire and entertain for years to come.
Several committee member changes were made at the AGM in December 2024. Mike Porter retired from the role as
Chairman and hi5 role was replaced by Paul Hopkins. The role of Life Vice President was bestowed on Mike, in
recognition of his long-standlng dedication and hard work for the society.
Steve Sefton resigned from hi5 role a5 committee member and lan Thomson was appointed to the committee as
Productlon Manager.
I would Ilke to extend my heartfelt thanks to every member of the committee for their volunteer time, energy, and
dedication they give to ensure LAOS continues to stand proudly as one of the leading amateur theatre companies in
the UK. l also want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our incredible behind-the-scenes team. You are an
integral part of the LAOS family, and your expertise ensures that every produrtion runs Seamlessly and with creativity
and professionallsm.
My final thanks go to the membership, the beating heart of LAOS. It is your passion, commitment and talent that
bring our shows to life on stage. With every performancei you remind us why arnateur theatre matters and why oui
company thrives. Together, we have celebrated a unique twelve months in the long history of our society spanning
135 years and l am excited to look ahead to the amazing produrtions we will share over the coming years.
We are now looking ahead to our next major production. Shrek the Musical, to be performed at the Leeds Grand
Theatre in April 2026.
Paul Hopkins, Chairman
Report and Financial Statements
Forthe Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 6

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Trustee's report for the perfod I" September 2024 to 31" August 2025 Icontlnuedl
TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANaAL STATEMENTS
Law applicable to charltles in England and Wales requires the Trustee5 to prepare financial accounts for each financial
year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application
of resources, including the income and expenditure. of the charity forthe year. In preparing these financial statements,
the trustee5 are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistentlvi
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent-
State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
Prepare the accounts on a going concern basis. unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable
company will continue in operation.
The Trustees ère responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any
time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial accounts comply with the
applicable laws and regulations. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for
taking reasonable steps forthe prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularitie5.
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 7

C&D
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON THE
FINA14CIAL STATEMENTS OF LeeDS AMATEUR opeRATIC SOCIETY
W& report on the accounts of Leeds Amateur QFeratiG Society for the year ended 31 August 2025
Respectivè respon$lbllities of trustees and examlner
The chartty's Iruslees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. Th8 charitys trustee$ consider
that an audit 15 not ￿quIred for this year (under sections 144 and 145 of the Charities Ael 2011
(the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is ne8ded.
It is our résponsibility to..
examine the accounts {under Section 145{3) of the 2011 Act).,
to follow the procedures laid do￿ In the General Directrons given by the Charity Commission
{under section 145{S1 of the 2011 Act,. and
to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.
8•sls ol Independ*nt examlnefs report
Our examination was carried out in ac¢ordance with the General Directions given by the Charfly
Commission. An ex8minalion includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a
comparison of tho accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual
iterns Lir dis¢losures in the accounts, and seeking 8Wanations from you a8 tru51ees conceming any such
matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit,
.and consequently we do not express an audit cpin1￿ on the view given by the ac¢wnls.
Indeyndent examlnerf8 ststement
In connection with our frxamination. no matter has come to our attention..
which gives Lrs reasonabl6 cause to believe that in, any material respect. Ihe requirements-.
to keep accounts.ng records in accordance ￿th section 130 and 131 ofthe 201 l Act". and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the
ae¢ounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met.. or
to which. in our opinion. attention shoukl be drawn in ord81 lo enable a proper ￿derStandIng
of the accounts to b8 reached.
Dlx Llmi
Accountants &
4 Silkwood Court
Wakefield
WF5 97P
Iness Advlsoffs
CfvD
C W Dix Litnited 4B Silkwtrod Court Wak￿le1￿ WFS 9TP- T•lophone 01924 263766- D1￿ctOr CW Dix
emall chri5@thrisdrrtaccountants.co.uk- web www.chrlsdl%accountants.co.uk
Company number 8198869

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
ststement of Flnancial Artivities for the period I September 2024 to 31 Auzust 2025
{Including summary Income and expenditure account)
2025
Totsl funds
2024
Totsl funds
Incoming resources
Donation5
Interest Received
Member5 Subscriptions & Show Fees
Other Revenue
Programme Sales
Ticket Sales
Total Incoming resources
1,473
1.850
12.650
2,726
13,707
435,182
467,588
675
1,530
5,074
1,124
3.387
192,326
204,116
Resources expended
Audit & Accountancy Fees
Charltable Donatlons
Consultin8 Fees
Costumes
Depreciation
Insurance & Subscriptions
IT Software & Consumables
Marketin& Publicity & Programmes
Musical Direttor
Orchestra
Producerfs Fee
Room Hire
Royalties
Scenery, Prop5, Sound & Li8htin8
Stage Management
Stationery
Sundry Expenses
Theatre Rent
Totsl resources expended
Net incoming ￿$OUrceS
Fund balances brought forward
Fund balances carrlèd forward
613
18,ICQ
521
3.(X)O
1,395
2,315
749
15,925
749
1,321
190
22,465
9,591
26,829
9,415
8,289
85,878
87,750
16.531
1.126
73
15,902
6,530
9.055
6,050
2,769
38,480
26,150
3,450
5,461
93,6C4J
402,707
64.881
168,515
233,396
4.468
52.270
174.303
29,813
138,702
168,515
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Pa8e 9

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Balance sheet as at 31" August 2025
2025
2024
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Total fixed assets
750
750
1.499
1,499
Current ￿et5
Debtors
Prepayments
Cash at bank- 271
Cash at bank-480
Total current assets
5,900
5,123
225,166 161,364
2,587
1,079
233,653 167,566
Current Ilablllties: amounts fallire due within one year
I,C(17
550
Net current assets
232,647 167,016
Total Assets less Current Llabllltles
233,396 168.515
Funds
Unrestricted funds before
Prior year adjustment
Add surplu5
Less deficit
168,515 138,702
I20,0￿)
64,881 29.813
TOTAL Unre5trirted funds
Bursary Fund
Total fund$
213,396 168,515
20,000
233,396 168.515
Report a4d F:nancial Statements
Forthe Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 10

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIErY
Notes to the accounts
for the period 1° September 2024 to 31 August 2025
l. Accounting pollcles
Basls of accounting
The finartcial statements have been prepa￿d under the historical cost conventlon and In accordance with the Charities
SORP IFRS 1021 and FRS 102 Section IA. the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The charty is an unincorporated association and 15 a public benefit entity for the purposes of FRS 102.
Golng Concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a goir
concern. The financial 5tatement5 have therefore been prepared on a going concern basis.
Income Recognltlon
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Artivities ISOFAI when the charity becomes entitled
to the resources, the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources and the monetary value can be
measured with sufficient reliability.
Grants and donations
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Where grants aye related to perfomance and specific dellverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the
right to consideration by its performance.
Expendlture Re¢ognltlon and Liabllltles
Expenditure is recognised on an actruals basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a
legal or construrtive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources.
Taxatlon
As a charity, the organisation benefits from rate5 relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital 8ains tax
but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are Capitalised and included at cost including any Incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets
re shown atthe value to the charity on receipt. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated
to write off the Cost on a straight line basis over their experted useful economic lives as follows- Proje¢t and office
equipment- 15%; Computing equipment-25%
Fund a¢¢ounting
Unrestricted fund5 are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the
charity.
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an
appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 11

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
2. Production Income & Expenditu￿ Account
2025
2024
Incomlng resources
Donations
Show Fees & Sponsorship
Programme Sales
other
Ticket Sales
1,255
7.000
13.707
2,617
435,182
459,761
2.778
3.387
192,326
198,491
Expendilure
Costumes
Donations
15.925
18,(K)O
226
22,465
9.590
26.829
9,415
8.159
85.878
87,750
16,531
3.379
93,6(M)
397,747
2,315
Insurance
Marketin& Publicity & Program Printing
Musical Direttor
Orchestra
Producerfs Fee
Room Hire
Royalties
Scenery. Props, Lightin8 & Sound
Stage Management
Sundry Expenses
Theatre Rent
15,902
6,530
9.055
6,050
2,464
38,480
26,150
3,450
4,257
52,270
166.923
Stsrplusl(Deficit)
62,014
31.568
Report and Finarypia! Qtatements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 12

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
3. General Expenses
2025
2024
Incoming resources
Donations
Interest Received
Other Revenue
Members Subscriptions
218
1,850
108
5,651
7,827
675
1,530
76
3,345
5,626
Expendlture
Audit & Accountancy Fees
Charitable Donations
Consultancy
Depreciation
Insurance & Subscriptions
Room Hire
5tatiDnery & IT
Sundry Expense5/Reimbur5e Officials
613
100
521
3,C(10
749
1,095
130
190
749
1,126
120
73
2,083
4,960
919
{6.508}
Surplus1{Deficit)
2,867
{882)
Repo.. and Fip.ar.cial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 13

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Notes to the accounts {continued)
for the perlod I" September 2024 to 31 August 2025
4. Trustee's Remuneratlon and Benefits
Production expenditure stage managerfs fee includes payment made to Trustee lan Thomson, who received payment
during the year for the provision of stage management Services provided to the charity during the produrtion of Les
Misérable5.
The total amount paid was £5,000. This payment wa5 deemed necessary to minimise the produrtion costs assoclated
with the hire of the Leeds Grand Theatre resources for their provision of stage management seryices across the two-
week run of Les Misérables.
In line with the charStWs confllct-of-lnterest policy the trustee, nor any person connected with them. took any part in
any diSCLl55ions or decisions relating to their own remuneration.
No other trustees nor any person connected with them, has received remuneration or benefits from the tharity during
the year, or 15 due to retelve any remuneration from the charitVs fur)ds.
Trustee's Expenses
During the year Trustee expenses of £4,156 were paid as a direct reimbijrsement of charity expenses to six of the
Trustees, who had kindly paid in absence of the charity running a petty cash fund. or having a charity payment card
available at the time of payment.
5. Tangible Fixed Assets
IT Equipmenl
Total
Cost
At I September 2024
Additions
At 31" August 2025
2,997
2,997
2,997
2,997
Depreclatlon
At I September 2024
Charge for the Year
At 31" August 2025
1,498
749
2,247
1,498
749
2,247
Net Book Value
At 31" August 2024
1,499
1,499
At 31st August 2025
750
750
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 AugLtst 2025
Page 14

THE LEEDS AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Notes to the accounts (continued)
for the period I" September 2024 to 31" August 2025
6. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025
2024
Prepayments
5,900
5,900
5.123
5.123
Prepayment5 are associaled with the advance payment of deposits towards produclion-related costs for the following
year.
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
2025
2024
Accruals
1,006
I,CQ6
550
550
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
At 1.9.24 Net Movement
in Funds
At 31.8.25
Unrestricted General Funds
Prlor year adjustment
TOTAL Unrestrlcted Funds
168,515
64.881
120,0001
44,881
233.396
{20,0￿}
213,396
168,515
Helen Hall Memorial- Bursary Fund
TOTAL FUNDS
20.OLYJ
64,881
20,0
233,396
168,515
The LAOS Bursary Fund, originally established by a 2020 bequest, supports member training deemed worthwhile by
trustee5. Open to all members, funding requires a successful application adhering to the LAOS Bursary Policy. The fund
provides financial support for training costs to foster skills development within the society.
Report and Financiol Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
PaEe 15

The tru5tee5 declare that they have approved the trustees. report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees:
Signaturel5)
Full namels} .' GILLIAN ELLIS
Position . Honorary Secretary
Date . 1610312026
Report and Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Page 16