2025-06-30-annual-report

Annual Trustee Report 1[st] July 2024 - 30th June 2025 NIC101808

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP

https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/

In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year our trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit. We do this to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity’s purpose and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries.

The Purposes of the Charity

• The Group is established to advance education and to promote the arts for the benefit of all of the people of primarily the Lagan Valley area regardless of religion, nationality, ethnic identity or disability by means of planning, creating and designing a cross community amateur drama and/or musical project, culminating in a performance for the general public in the area of benefit.

• The Group and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with the constitution (Last amended 13th December 2023) by the members of the Management Committee.

What are we trying to achieve?

• The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science

• The advancement of education

• The advancement of human rights, conflict resolution or reconciliation or the promotion of religious or racial harmony or equality and diversity

Who do we help?

• Youth (14-25 year olds)

• Children (5-13 year olds)

• Young Adults (18 - 35 year olds)

• Volunteers

• Unemployed/low income

• Physical disabilities

• General public

• Learning disabilities

How do we do this?

• Arts

• Youth development

• Education/training

• Cultural

• Human rights/equality

• Sport/recreation

• Volunteer development

In furtherance of the above aims, but not further or otherwise, the group may:

• a. encourage participation in the amateur drama and/or musical project from as many people as practicable, in the area of the benefit;

• b. establish, maintain and equip premises and facilities in the area of benefit.

• c. provide or assist in providing classes, workshops, training, seminars, performances, lectures, discussions, exhibitions, outings and events

• d. procure to be written, printed and distributed reports, periodicals, books, pamphlets, leaflets, other documents or information

• e. recruit, train and employ volunteers with relevant skills, for the furtherance of the above aims

• f. co-operate to such extent as may be necessary with statutory authorities, churches, and other voluntary organisations in the furtherance of the objects or any of them.

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP

https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/

g. raise and accept money by ways of grants, donations, bequests, legacies or other lawful method, provided that in the exercise thereof the group shall not engage in any form of permanent trading. h. purchase, take lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire a property any rights and privileges necessary for the attainment of the said objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or edifices so necessary, as aforesaid.

• i. subject to such consents as may be required by law to sell, let, mortgage, dispose or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the Group which shall be deemed necessary for the furtherance of the Group;

• j. employ, contract with and pay any person, not being a member of the Management Committee to supervise, organise and carry on the work of the Group and make all reasonable and necessary provision for the payment of remuneration to employees and contractors.

• k. do all other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said objects.

Management of the Group

• The Group shall be managed by a Committee, consisting of a Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, known as ‘Named Officer Posts’ and no more than 8 Members of the Group, elected by the Members of the Group, known as ‘Committee Members’. Election of Named Officer Posts and Committee Members is to be in accordance with the Group Rules and Code of Conduct.

• The Committee is to elect a ‘Vice Chairperson’ who must

• a. be one of the persons elected as a Committee Member and;

• b. not be related to the Chairperson

• The Committee, so constituted, shall have the power to co-opt further members who shall be Members of the Group, or persons anywhere, who have skills or experience to offer the Group. The decision on whether to co-opt a person onto the committee will be a simple majority of those eligible voting Members present at a quorate committee meeting. There can be no more than three co-opted persons on the committee at one time.

Committee Members 2024/2025

Chairperson - Angela Manson Vice-Chairperson - Patricia Glover Treasurer – Donna Crawford Secretary – Samantha Reilly Designated Child Protection Officer – Annmarie Watson Annicea Haddock Clare Adair Clair Williams - resigned March 2025 Carolee McLaughlin Colleen Bell - Deputy Child Protection Officer Lisa Moran

Organisational Chart 2024/2025

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP

https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/

What we do

Fusion Theatre is registered with the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland – copies of our current governing documents and accounts are available on their website. Fusion Theatre is linked to Youth Action who act as an umbrella group for Access NI certification and training and is also a registered member of NICVA, Fundraising Regulator and NODA.

The group is led by a committee of 11 volunteers who work alongside a professional Director, MD and choreographer. We have also been working closely with ex-Fusioneers as Assistant Director and Assistant Choreographer.

As a not-for-profit organisation, run entirely by volunteers, any profit derived from a production allows us to offer enhanced drama and music workshops to a wider audience of young people including those who work behind the scenes. Currently we have around 30 volunteers including trustees who work in various sub committees looking after the running of the company and adding to the success of each performance.

The Group is established to advance education and to promote the arts for the benefit of all of the people of the Lagan Valley area, regardless of religion, nationality, ethnic identity or disability, by means of planning, creating and designing a cross community amateur drama and/or musical project, culminating in an annual performance for the general public in the Island Hall, Lagan Valley Island.

Our primary aim is to enhance the drama, music and artistic standards of young people (between 8 and 24) in the LCCC area. Secondary to this we have allowed performers aged 18 and over to become part of our senior cast (non-members) for ad-hoc performances to allow ex-Fusioneers the opportunity to once again perform with Fusion.

Participation in theatre is known to be beneficial to physical and mental health, especially for young people. Through the medium of musical theatre, they can grow in confidence and develop their social skills. Drama develops communication and interpersonal skills thus impacting positively on their educational progress. Research has shown that keeping young people engaged in such a positive way can reduce the incidence of risk taking and anti-social behaviour. We currently have 65 members between 11 and 21. The cast also includes young people with Asperger's Syndrome, ASD and other learning difficulties. The group reflects the rich and diverse nature of the LCCC area.

Two cast representatives, who attend Committee meetings, provide a youth voice ensuring that the cast are involved in decision-making processes. We promote an atmosphere of positive reinforcement so that all cast feel valued and supported. This ethos serves to promote high self-esteem and mental wellbeing.

Members and also parents of members under 18, have been surveyed and have reported significant improvements in areas such as performance ability, self-confidence and positivity. These surveys are carried out annually for all cast members so we can monitor our performance and ensure we are meeting our goals. Our committee members also complete a self assessment each year so we can set KPIs for the following year and ensure our vision and goal is current and relevant. Our AGM is advertised locally to attract new volunteers and we encourage and welcome new cast members by advertising on social media and in the local press.

The people centred approach to the Arts is fully embraced by Fusion. We are ever mindful of serving the interests of the community and are committed to developing the arts within the LCCC area.

Each show is carefully selected to continuously extend the audience base and present the benefits of live theatre to new and varied groups including the deaf, as we have a signed performance of each production. The local area has pockets of deprivation and social and cultural extremism. Through successful marketing strategies and a policy of keeping ticket prices low, we endeavour to make our shows accessible to all which means that our audiences are equally diverse.

Fusion Theatre usually performs in the LVI (the size of venue and its facilities attract visitors from both in and outside

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/

LCCC) as well as carrying out smaller concerts in other local facilities such as Dobbies Garden Centre and St Patricks Parish Centre. We have permanent rehearsal space at Lisburn Enterprise Organisation. We work with local businesses that help with the transport of props and some aspects of set and local restaurants provide pre-theatre meal deals. Large audiences bring local economic benefits to commerce, retail and hospitality within LCCC. Fusion supports the growth of the night time economy in Lisburn. Consequently, our shows attract audience members from a wider area, from previous surveys we have found audience members have travelled from all over the country including Donegal, Coleraine, Omagh, Dublin, Dundalk, Banbridge, Newry and Portadown to name a few.

Fusion is a reflective and evaluative company that utilises feedback from professional bodies to enhance future performance. Our productions are adjudicated by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association. A good indicator of future success is past performance. Fusion Theatre has received numerous awards and consistently produces professionally presented and challenging pieces of theatre. Awards include Best Female Voice, Best Male Voice, Best Choreography, Best Youth Show, Best Comedian, Best Director and Best Chorus. The NODA adjudications will see Fusion compete against mostly adult, local amateur societies across Ireland and Wales. In terms of access to arts, we will use information on ticket sales (use of disabled facilities and family tickets in particular) to show achievement. Monitoring of social media provides evidence that local demand has been met, and we survey audience members at random on performance standards and local needs.

Meeting our aims - 2024 / 2025

• We focus on making arts accessible to all in two ways.

• By keeping our membership fees low £25 per month and for members who are from a low income family or are going through financial difficulties we offer a subsidence for this, we also have a standing order mandate where they can pay their yearly fees on a monthly or in some cases a weekly basis

• By keeping our ticket prices low – tickets are priced £15 - £18 and we offer group discounts and family pricing depending on the show

• During this period we maintained a diverse cast with members from all sides of the community including both Roman Catholics and Protestants and those who belong to neither religion. We also had a mix of both male and female members, including those with learning difficulties.

• Our cast members ranged from aged 10 – 21 throughout the year and we had over 50 performers

• We welcomed new cast members over 18 for our production of Amelie, most performers were aged 18 - 40 and we were delighted to welcome back some ex-fusioneers

• Being a cross community group Fusion feel very strongly on giving everyone the opportunity to be involved in the arts and are open to all this extends from our cast members, production members, volunteers and audience members

• To ensure we continue to develop the members of our cast we run workshops on auditioning, dance and music as well as from time to time giving them a chance of having an external person coming in to work with them, including previous cast members now performing on the West End

• Attended a local company performance who have also supported our productions, this is something we want to continue as a group as we can learn a lot by seeing other performances

• Beauty & the Beast - Lisnagarvey Operatic and Dramatic Society

• Workshops (Summer 2024)

• Mix of acting, dance and singing

  • Katie-Rose Williams

  • Bridget Shine

  • Rhys Devlin

  • Russell Dickson

• Amelie September 2024

• First “adult” show

• Ticket sales not strong - 718 tickets sold across 4 shows

• Small cast and show choice may have impacted this

• Income - 64% of budget

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP

https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/

• Made a 20% adjustment to the outgoing budget

• 97% spent of adjusted budget - set over budget by 55%

• Made a loss of -£7589

• We welcomed Kerry Rodgers as Director, Adam Darcy as MD and Michael McEvoy as choreographer for this project

• Great experience to try something different

• Sound of Music 2025

• 5 performances

• 104% income budget and under outgoing budget by 8%

• 1879 tickets sold

• We welcomed Michael McEvoy to the team as Director supported by Keith Pyper as MD, Katie-Rose Williams as Assistant Choreographer and Megan McGarry as Assistant Director

• Made profit of £5487 which offset our losses from Amelie by £2102

Mixed year overall but we are excited for Showtime in September 2025 and Cinderella in March 2026 then planning our 25th Anniversary for 2027.

Accounts 2024 /2025

Income - £54,473.96 Outgoings - £50,689.95

This year we received grant funding from

• Black Santa appeal - £2000 - this was our highest Black Santa donation to date

• Our grant funding was down by 43%

Other income was raised from;

• Membership fees

• Our membership fees were down by 9%

• Ticket Sales - Amelie & Sound of Music

• Our ticket sales were up by 22% but only due to having 2 shows rather than 1

• Donations for set and costume rental

• Fundraising

• Our fundraising was down by 35%

Minutes of Fusion Theatre AGM - 19th March 2025 - 7.30pm

• Minutes of last AGM were approved

• Review of 2023/24 (Trustees Report)

• Workshops (Summer 2023 / Spring 24) Mixture of acting, dance and singing

• Laura Kerr

• Adam Darcy

• Kerry Rodgers

• Wilfie Pyper

• Meabh Quinn

• Oprah Devitt

• Michael McEvoy

• Anastasia - March 2024

• 95% tickets sold - 1464 across 4 shows o Profit - £2730.26

• Really great feedback - audience & cast

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/

o By keeping our ticket prices low – tickets are priced £12 - £18 and we offer group discounts and family pricing depending on the show

• Membership fees - annual membership £300 - inclusive of all rehearsals (minimum 80 hours per year), show fee, workshops, concerts and insurance

• For members who are from a low income family or are going through financial difficulties we offer a subsidence for this

• We also have a standing order mandate where annual fees can be paid on a monthly or in some cases a weekly basis (£25 per month or £6.25 per week)

• We attended three other local companies productions, who have also supported our productions, this is something we want to continue as a group

  • The Beautiful Game - Belvoir Players

  • West Side Story - JH Academy

o Guys & Dolls - Lisnagarvey Operatic and Dramatic Society

• Concert - June 2024

• Free concert for parents, family and friends in St Patricks Hall

Accounts 2023 / 2024

• Accounts for 2023/24 still with auditor

• Income - £54,427.07

• Outgoings - £46,124.25

This year we received grant funding from;

• Black Santa appeal - £880

• The Halifax Foundation - Grant - £3750 (Anastasia)

Other income was raised from;

• Membership fees

• Ticket Sales - Anastasia

• Donations for set and costume rental

• Fundraising

• Chamber of Commerce - Nominated Charity for Presidents Dinner

2024 / 25

• We finally had heaters installed which has made a huge difference to the heat in the unit

• In April, Jillian took a step back from her choreographer role at Fusion after 10 years. We did a presentation at the aftershow party and we hope to see her again soon

• In June, we parted ways with James as director after 5 shows. This was for one show initially (Sound of Music) so we could look at options due to various factors. Unfortunately due to situations following this, we made the decision to completely cut ties with James on a permanent basis.

• In September 2024 we had our first over 18 production, Amélie. We welcomed some new faces as well as many returning Fusioneers. We worked with Michael McEvoy, Kerry Rodgers and Adam Darcy as the production team.

• Unfortunately for various reasons (unknown show etc) we had a loss of -£7589.44

• Ticket Sales - 718 sold

• In March 2025 we had 5 almost sold out performances of The Sound of Music. We were delighted to welcome back ex-Fusioneer Michael McEvoy as the Director & Choreographer alongside Keith Pyper as MD. Having Michael perform two roles give us the opportunity to appoint an assistant director and assistant choreographer; we had ex-Fusioneers Megan McGarry and Katie-Rose Williams in these roles.

• Tickets Sold 97.86% across 5 shows - 1879

• Profit £5,487.49

• Under Budget by £2,688.87

• Over KPI income by £1,723.62

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP

https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/

o Feedback was excellent from audience

Future Plan

• Concert - 2 nights - Island Hall - September 2025

• March 2026 show

• Possible 2 shows in 2027 including one for all members - 25 anniversary

Chairperson’s Report

Angela thanked everyone for their continued support and thanked Clair Williams for her support on the committee over the past few years

Election of New Committee

Named Officers

• Chairperson – Angela Manson - Nominated by Patricia Glover, Seconded by Annmarie Watson

• Secretary - Samantha Reilly - Nominated by Angela Manson Seconded by Annieca Haddock

• Treasurer – Donna Grace - Nominated by Angela Manson Seconded by Annmarie Watson

Committee Members

Anneica Haddock – Nominated by Donna Grace Seconded by Angela Manson Carolee McLaughlin – Nominated by Clair Adair seconded by Patricia Glover Clare Adair – Nominated by Annmarie Watson Seconded by Colleen Bell Annmarie Watson – Nominated by Anneica Haddock Seconded by Samantha Reilly Colleen Bell – Nominated by Angela Manson Seconded by Anneica Haddock Lisa Moran – Nominated by Colleen Bell Seconded by Samantha Reilly Patricia Glover – Nominated by Lisa Moran Seconded by Annmarie Watson

Anne McCleary to continue as Honorary President

Meeting ended 8.15pm

Fusion Theatre , Unit 508-511 Lisburn Enterprise Organisation , Enterprise Crescent, Ballinderry Road , Lisburn, BT28 2BP https://www.fusiontheatre-lisburn.co.uk/