Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) Year ended 31 March 2023 The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpos¢s of company law, present their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023. Reference and administrydtive details Registered charity name Cahoots NI Limited Charity registration number NIC100710 Company registration number N1042024 Principal office and registered Unit 3 OtTices, I si Floor Olee Cityside Retail Park 100-150 York Street Belfast BT15 IWA The trnstees George Bleeks Padraig Coyle Lynne Fleming Rory Cowan Aidan McGrath Sarah Bell Paula Cairns Gillian Mccolgan Key management personnel Artistic Director - Paul McEneaney Company secretary Paul McEneaney Auditor Muir & Addy Chartered accountants & statutory auditor 427 Holywood Road Belfast BT4 2LT Bankors Ulster Bank Arches Retail Park Belfast BT5 4AF
Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Strueturey governance and management Cahoots NI is a charitable company limited by guarantee. Th¢ company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1. Cahoots Nl continues to maintain good governance, using monthly organisational reports to record, monitor and review financial movement and company business on a monthly basis. Review of company policies is carried out as requir¢d and, apart from some updating to reflect changes to legislation, Do major changes took place. Th¢ organisation continues to expand the re-focus of direction set out in the previous reporting p¢riod in response to the prevailing economic climate. with emphasis on establishing new crtiVe partThershipslco- productions to ensure continued growth, building a sustainable future and - while Northern Ireland remains the core audience - entry to the global marketplace with increased inlernational touring. The sustainability sttategy involves - project led emphasis - reduction in core costs. re-focus on the large scale productions for which Cahoots Nl has an established reputation. reduction in delivery of smaller projects such as ad hoc workshops. development of creative partnerships and co-productions lo share resources. development of partnerships specifically to promote and realise extensive international touring. income from international louring will sustain the creation of new work for the local audience and in tum provide more product for touring. dev¢lopmenl of strategic, imaginative new operational practice conceived to grow capacity, sustainability and resilience, rnitigating risk by enablÉng self contained experiences for scverdl small groups at a time. Objeetives and activities Cahoots NI is one of Northern Ireland's leading professional theatre companies. Since it was founded in 2001 it has been comtnilled to producing original, high quality work for children, some of it staged in conventional theatre venues and some in Purpose built or sile sp¢cific locations. Its work concentrates on combining the visual potential of theatre with the age old popularity of magic and illusion. Cahoots Nl conttnues to strive to be a major contributor to the NI children's arts experience through its productions and outreach programme. Each year Cahoots Nl delivers an ambitious, innovative and challenging programme, and since its creation has interacted with 633,734 children and their families.
Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report {Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Objectives and aetivities (con11ned} The aims of Cahoots NI are - to produce high quality large scale work for children to our maiTh slage spaces throughout Ireland and the network of international festivals specialising in childrens theatre. to produce work designed to fill the mtddlellarge scale venues in the North of Ireland with a target audience of children under twelve accompanied by parents/carers- to capilalise upon the age old popularity of rnagic as an ess¢ntial ingredient in the art of ¢ntertaining hildren. to use traditional and new techniques of magic and illusion to create theatre which is truly startling, where the complicit suspension of disbelief is unavoidably usurped by genuine astonishment. lo use magic and illusion to fuel a theatrical experience which borrows from circus, dance and perfonnance art. to maximise upon the unique 'live' nature of theatre so that the audience experience is as vivid, memorable and empowering as possible; to encourage appreciation of the arts and stimulate the artistic creativity of children. to present, promote, organise and manage plays of cultural and educational value for children. lo encourage children lo become actively involved in all aspects of the perforniing arts and provide training and educational facilities and services to this end- lo coordinate with other providers of children's work in order to raise the profil¢ and status of Childrens theatre and ensure a strategic approach to ils delivery; lo develop working partnerships with venues and festivals so that the work is as fully integrated as possible into their annual programme. Our Pu se Through our theatrical magic. we inspire a sense of wonder, unlock imagination and nurture a love of the arts in children. In doing so, we create lifelong memories and joint family experiences that make a difference to their lives. Our Mission Protect and promot¢ the right of all children to have access to high quality artistic experiences. Our Vision We seek to become a world leader in theatre for young audiences with our brand recognised for delivering innovative, exciting and high quality experiences whilst always reaching more children and young people.
Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achievements and performance Cahoots NI continues to produce a body of world-class work over the financial period l April 2022 31 March 2023, strengthening the organisalion's portfolio in their groundbreaking site specific work while beginning to reintroduce theiT large scale 'traditional' theatre productions post-pandemic. Each project is monitored and evaluated individually and evaluation reports are available on request. The company's output delivered many opportunities for childr¢n and their families to ¢xperience high quality professional theatre, created specifically for them, presented in dynamic, accessible ways. In 2022-23 the charity engaged with 62,416 children and families ITh theatres, custom built, immersive sets and outdoor events across Northern Ireland and North America. In this period Cahoots gave 407 perforniances and issued 106 artist contracts. In keeping with our COTe aim of making artistically excellent theatre accessible to the widest audiences, the company delivered work to children in Belfast who are marginalised by socio-economic disadvantage fre¢ of charge. Several local youth clubs and community rnembers under the North Belfast Interface Network were invtted to experience productions including 'The Ghost House, and 'Cinderella' free of charge. Citysid¢ Retail Park staff and their farnilies. many of whom are local to our North Belfasl base, were also invited to a special preview perforniance of 'Th¢ Ghost House, free of charg¢. In September 2022 Cahoots Nl were shortlisted for several awards at the Arts & Business NI Awards, including Arts Organisalion of the Year, Staff Engagement, Brand StoellIng and Crealive Community Engagement (Winner), for their work with Savills/Cityside Retail Park and the New Sponsor Award for their work with Rushmere Shopping Centre. Savills also won the Special Rccognilion Award at the Property Management Marketing Confcr¢n¢¢ in London in recognition of our partnership in March 2023. In October 2022 Cahoots Nl produced a radically innovative and artistically ambitious immersive experience, with a trailblazing walk_through production, 'The Ghost House,. The production proved a huge success and inlroduc¢d theatre and dance lo families who may not usually engage in the arts. 590/0 of feedback leaving audienc¢ members indicated they had never seen a Cahoots show before - a pleasantly expected decrease from the figure of 83 /0 following 'The Grimm Hotel, the pr¢vious year, indicating increasing brand loyalty in our North B¢lfast base. Also in October Cahoots Nl produced a Halloween event at Hillsborough Castle, having previously created a small section of the popular annual event in 2021. This time Cahoots NI took on full ownership of all performance sections of the event. and feedback was hugely positive - "I have to say absolutely incredible. Loved every secondltl Audience Member In December 2022 Cahoots delivered 'The Elfs Christmas Emporium, at The Junction Antrim, in a custom converted disused retail unit. This was our fourth collaboration with ihe centre and feedback was highly positive - "such a lovely surprise and a really happy and magical event!" Audience Member Cahoots NI also produced main stage musical 'Cind¢rella . The Midnight Princess, at the MAC, Belfast, their first large scale Christmas co-production since the COVID pandemic.
Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (contlnued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Achievements and performance (contirttsedj Th¢ international touring programme which moved the charity inlo the global marketplace and provided the resources to create new work at home in Northern Ireland, continues to slowly re-emerge post COVID. Cahoots Nl's 'Secr¢ts of Space, went on a North American tour from February-may 2022, reaching almost 17,000 people. In January 2023, 'Danny Camo's Mathematical Mysteries, set off for its third North American tour. In the reporting pLYiod the show was seen by over 25,000 people and received hugely posittve feedback from audiences and venue partners. Our relationship with our American agents Holden Arts and Associates continues to lo strengthen, with plans for fvture touring continuing into 23-24. In March 2023 Cahoots Nl's Artistic Director Paul Mc Eneaney visited th¢ Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, California, one of North America's most respected multi-disciplinary cultural institutions. Orange County's largest non-profit arts organisation, the Cent¢r feareS six impressive venues ranging including a 3,000 seat theatre, 8 2,000 seat concert hall, a 300 seat studio theatre and more. The Center have presented a number of our previous works and they are working towards commissioning a a co-production wilh Cahoots Nl for futur¢ delivery in Bclfast and North America. Inspir¢d by the Broth&s Grimm tale 'The Musicians of Bremen,, this is a funny but moving story about working together to overcome obstacles. The story feattJr¢s band of characters, played by aclor-musicians that have a distinct disliking for each other, until circumstances force them together to discover they have more in common than they ever knew. This type of co-production would be an exciting fst for both parties. Throughout the 22-23 p10d, Cahoots NI also held development sessions with contemporary dancers in Birniingham for 'The Ghost House, (7 artists engaged) and with Puppet Designcr and Dircctor Helen Foan for 'The Vanishing Elephant,. which will be developed in Belfast befor¢ transfeTring to The N¢w Victory Theater on the iconic 42nd Street in New York (5 artists engaged). Overview of activities l April 2022 - 31 March 2023: No. Perforniances: No. Audience No. Artists". Locations- 407 62.416 106 artist contracts Northern Ireland (Belfast, Antrim, Hillsborough) & North America. Artistic Pro amme - Secrets of Space - Conclusion of USA tour of thts engaging, educational piece which began in February 2022. Designed to encourage creativ¢ learning and understanding of STEAM concepts in an imaginative way. Three artists were engaged in the North American lour, and in this April - May section, the show was seen by 10,300 people in California, Las Vegas, New York, Pennsylvania and more. In total the tour w&s seen by 16,983 people. The Imaginarium - In partnership with The Junction R¢tail & Leisure Park, Antrim, an inventive outdoor family perfonnance in Antrim Castle Gardens as part of Garden Show Ireland. Supported by Arts & Business NI. the interactive piece was p¢rformed in Cahoots Nl's circus tent. Feedback was highly posilive and the perfonnance was seen by 900 people. The Ghost House - Cahoots NI'S ground-breaking immersive theatre experience, perfornied in a custom built set in a previously disused 12,000 sq. foot warehouse for Halloween 2022. as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival. 3,617 people saw the perforniance (885 mor¢ than predecessor'The Grimm Hotel, in 2021) and feedback was exceptionally positive. Thc project engaged 22 artists, as well as a team of volunteers.
Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (continued) Yearended 31 March 2023 Achievements Y4nd performance (continued) The Scarecrow Night Walk- Programmed by Historic Royal Palaces for Hallow¢¢n at Hillsborough Castle following Cahoots Nl's engagement in 2021. 18 Artists W¢T¢ employed. and over 5,227 people took part in the outdoor event. Feedback was hugely positive and Hillsborough Castle are keen to collatK)rate with Cahoots NI in 2023. The Eirs Christmas Emporium - An immersive, interactive Christmas show for customers of The Junction Retail and Leisure Park, Antrim. This partnership. back by popular demand was created to bring seasonal cheer to schools and the local community using the shopping centr¢. Delivered in a custom converted, disused retail unil at The Junction, the project was extremely successful. Th¢ production engaged a total audience of 3,000 and employed 5 artists. Cinderella - A Co-production with the MAC, Belfast, on their main stage for families at Christrnas. The show was seen by 14,100 people and feedback was thoroughly positive. The large-scale musical production engaged 20 artists and positive partnerships with new collaborators. Danny Carmo's Mathematical Mysteries USA Tour Seen by 25,272 people across North Amcrica between January-march 2023. Th¢ company of 2 cast and 2 cr¢w members toured to 22 venues in this period, iThcluding stops in Florida. Califomia, New Jersey, Texas, Michigan and Georgia. The tour continues into April 2023. Financial review The company is a non-profit making organisatioll. The results are sel out in detail on page 13. The company had net incoming resources for the year of £48,118. The surplus of income over expenditure will be reinvested in th¢ development of new projects to allow the charity to provide an extensive programme as the theatrical s¢ctor recovers from thc impact of COVID-19. Reserves policy The directors have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the funding of the organisation. Unrestricted free reserves are currently £215,192, and this lev¢1 of rese5 would be sutTicient to fund th¢ organisation's running costs for a period of four months at curreTht levels of spending. The directors considw this level of reserves to be adequate to meet the needs of the charity.
Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnuod) Year ended 31 March 2023 Plans for future periods In the year April 2023 - March 2024, Cahoots NI will offer - New, world cl&%s productions in theatres for families. Immersive, live perforniances; Spectacular outdoorlsite specific performances. new writing for development and production. dynamic and unique outreach and education opportunities- international touring. cstablished and new co-productions and partnerships; Productions & Development Danny Carn]o's Mathematical Mysteries - Conclusion of North American Tour. The Musicians of Bclfasl (Working Title) - Development of new work: When We Wer¢ Wild - Perfonnances of new work at the MAC, B¢lfast" The Vanishing Elephant - Development, Rehearsal and Belfast Community Engagement Preview5. The Vanishing Elephant - Perfomiances in the New Victory Theater, New York. Halloween al Hillsborough Castle - Outdoor event- Christmas at Cityside, Belfast, Development, Rehearsal and Interactive Production; Christmas al The Junction, Antrim Interactive Production for schools and families. The University of Wonder & lrnagination - I I week North Arn¢rican Tour. Trnstees, responslbilities statement The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, are resy)nsible for preparing the trustees, report and the fiThancial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Sthndards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and the incoming resourc and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing th¢s¢ financial statements, the trustees ar¢ required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charilies SORP. make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent. prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any lime the financial position of the charity and enable thetn to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also rcswnsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Cahoots Nl Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (contlnued) Year ended 31 March 2023 Small company provisions This report has b¢¢n prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entiiled to the small companies exemption. The trustees, annual report was approved on 6 September 2023 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by.. ,nean¢y ty Secretary