2024-04-30-annual-report

Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

Annual Report & Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

Website: www.southbankplayhouse.com Facebook: @southbankplayhouse Company Limited by Guarantee Company No: NI035043 Charity Registration No: NIC 102831

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Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

South Bank Playhouse Ltd

Trustees/Directors (at 1[st] July 2024)

Katherine Beggs (Chair)

Una Convery

Gillian Grattan

John Grattan (Treasurer)

Jenny Groves

Heather Johnson (Secretary)

Eamon Jones

Seán O’Hare

Katherine Weir Joseph Wildy Miriam Witts

Registered Office 1A Kimberley Drive Belfast BT7 3EE

Company number NI035043

Charity number NIC 102831

Bankers

Danske Bank, Donegall Square West, Belfast BT1 6JS

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Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

Trustees’ Report for year ended 30th April 2024

Introduction

This report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and in line with the guidance produced by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. It also represents the Directors’ report for the purposes of company legislation.

Constitution and governance

South Bank Playhouse Ltd, also known as Southbank Players, is a company limited by guarantee and governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 20[th] October 1998. The objects of the company were amended by special resolution passed on 15[th] August 2011. The company was registered as a charity by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland on 14[th] August 2015.

The Trustees constitute the directors of the company for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, and trustees of the charity for the purposes of charity legislation.

The Trustees, of whom there should be not less than three, are appointed by members of the company at the Annual General Meeting and form the management committee of the company. They are appointed for a period of five years and are eligible for re-appointment for a second term. Trustees who served during the year ending 30th April 2024 were as follows:

Katherine Beggs (Chair) David Fullerton Gillian Grattan John Grattan (Treasurer) Jenny Groves Heather Johnson (Secretary) Eamon Jones Ruth Osborne Katherine Weir Joe Wildy Miriam Witts

The Trustees are responsible for the policies, activities, and assets of the charity. They met as the management committee eight times during the year ended 30th April 2024 to plan and manage the activities of the charity and to take appropriate decisions. No Trustee received any remuneration for services as a member of the Board of Trustees and the charity has no employees.

The Trustees have put in place an equal opportunities policy, a GDPR policy, financial procedures, and a safeguarding policy, all of which are reviewed regularly.

Purposes of the charity

We are an amateur theatre company with members from a wide range of backgrounds. We have produced quality drama that enhances and contributes to a rich cultural life in Belfast and across Northern Ireland since 1998. We produce drama that is accessible to members of the public of all

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Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

ages, from a variety of genres and both new and established playwrights. We present both formal productions and rehearsed readings, and also provide space for our members to write and produce original works. Additionally, we open our doors to other drama companies and charities to use our space for their own charitable activities that enhance the quality of their members’ lives.

We are based in leased premises in a former Scout Hall on Kimberley Drive, in the Ormeau Road area of Southeast Belfast. The facilities include a large performance space which has bleacher seating with an audience capacity of 65 people, a lighting rig, and sound and lighting decks. Back stage we have a costume store and other storage rooms, and a set store located outside the back of the hall.

The purposes of our charity as set out in our governing document are as follows:

• a) To enhance & contribute to the cultural life of Belfast and the surrounding area;

• b) To present, promote, organize, manage & produce quality plays and events of cultural value;

• c) To encourage appreciation for, and participation in, performing arts activities;

• d) To offer opportunities for all to become involved in performing arts activities through the cultural activities we engage in;

• e) To promote and develop performing arts for the public in the area of benefit.

Our membership

At 30th April 2024 we had a total of 78 subscribed members as well as a number of other supporters and participants in the company.

Our AGM on 16[th] June 2023 was well attended, with 18 members of the company. Philip McDonagh and Johnny McGurgan both completed their second terms as Trustee, and stepped down from the Committee. Jenny Groves and Joe Wildy were duly elected by the membership to join the Committee.

----- Start of picture text -----
78 members
£17,900 5 PlayGroup
turnover Evenings
25th
7 groups using
Anniversary
premises
Sway
3 Full 1 Art Fair & 1
Productions Christmas Social
2 Rehearsed 2 Maintenance
Readings Days
----- End of picture text -----

The South Bank year in numbers

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Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

South Bank Productions

Our main activity during a normal year is the auditioning, rehearsal and performance of three productions in the summer, autumn, and spring. In 2023, we fully returned to a normal routine with the experience that we offer our members and guests enhanced by the lessons learned during Covid and the many improvements that we made to our premises.

The Summer production in 2023 was Table Manners , by Alan Ackbourne. One part of the celebrated Norman Conquest trilogy, the play is a comedy that dissects family drama between siblings and couples with action around three family meals. Directed by Arthur Webb, the cast of six included both new and returning members. Five performances from July 25th were very well received by sold-out audiences.

The Autumn 2023 production was The 8th , by Seanie Sugrue. Directed by Eugene O’Hare, this was the European premiere of a play from an emerging playwright. Set against the backdrop of the ‘Repeal the 8[th’] Referendum in the Republic of Ireland, the play considers the bonds of family that endure amidst conflict, distance, and loss. The production was a huge success, celebrated by audiences who provided extremely positive feedback both on the night and afterwards. We piloted a new format for the shows, with six nights across two weeks, beginning on November 16. Despite the additional show, tickets were sold out.

Our third production for 2023-24 was Single Spies , by Alan Bennett. The play was a return to a different format for the Company, featuring two one-act plays. The show revolved around the events of the Cambridge spy ring in the mid-1950s and 1960s, and ranged from a squalid apartment in Moscow with Guy Burgess, to the offices of the Courtauld Institute and Buckingham Palace with Anthony Burgess. The backstage work to develop two sets and complex visuals was significant, and the production was a rousing success. We returned to the five-night format, and sold out tickets in record time. The show opened on April 9, and received high praise from audiences each night.

Other South Bank shows and events

This financial year marked the Company’s 25[th] Anniversary in our Hall, and we marked the occasion with special events and member communications. Most particularly, the October PlayGroup meeting featured readings from 25 plays (with cake!) The Company Chair, Katherine Beggs, also prepared an interactive Sway that was distributed to all members, documenting and celebrating the plays and events from the past 25 years.

An ongoing contribution of the Company to the community has always been a sustained schedule of other shows and events for both our members and the wider public. PlayGroup, a members-only development evening, began in 2022, and continues to be an important monthly event. On the final Wednesday of each non-show month, we welcome members to do a table-read of a script. Attendance varies from 10 to 22 members. In 2023-24, we explored The Hangmen (Martin McDonagh), Pride and Prejudice (Constance Cox), Blue Remembered Hills (Dennis Potter), and Under Milkwood (Dylan Thomas).

We were also delighted to present two Rehearsed Readings. Rehearsed Readings are members-only events that serve to workshop potential future productions, explore innovative and new scripts, and develop the skills of cast and crew. June featured Jenny’s House of Joy (Norm Foster), directed by Heather Johnson. Set in a brothel operating in an outback cattle down in Kansas in the late 1880s, the all-female cast explores female friendship and independence. In October, Stephen Beggs directed The Dumb Waiter (Harold Pinter), featuring two assassins who are preparing for their next job.

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Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

Finally, each year we open our doors for non-performance events. In the summer of 2023, two ‘maintenance days’ brought members together to clean, maintain, and improve the theatre space. In December, we returned to a pre-pandemic event, and hosted a public Arts and Crafts Fair in the Hall, featuring members’ work as well as second-hand and vintage items for sale or swap. Every December, we also welcome our members for an annual Christmas party featuring food, entertainment, and holiday cheer.

Other uses of the South Bank Hall

We actively encourage use of our facilities by other arts groups, drama companies, and charities to ensure that the facilities are well utilised and enjoyed by others. In difficult financial times for the arts sector, we have prioritised ongoing support of the local theatre community while also ensuring that the Hall is available to company members for their endeavours.

In 2023-24, seven groups used the facilities, primarily for rehearsals, workshops, and filming.

We are grateful to our members Kate Beggs and Penny Beggs who manage the subletting of the hall.

Marketing and promotion of our activities

Throughout this year, our focus has been to continue to engage with and connect to our members and to contribute to the rich cultural life of the community. We continue to maintain our public-facing website, which highlights both our current productions and the broader and historic activities of the Company. Regular Members Bulletins continue to be shared across our mailing list, which we have updated and renewed this year. We have also further developed both a public and a members-only Facebook page, as well as our Instagram account.

Improvements to the premises

Although we do not own the premises, we nevertheless continue to both maintain and improve the Hall in order to enhance the experience for our visitors, and to keep the facilities in good order. All necessary certifications (i.e. fire safety) are up-to-date, and we regularly review and maintain up-todate health and safety policies, a safeguarding policy, and appropriate governance policies. In 202324, we repaired our fence, updated the heating in the toilets, and improved our back-stage lighting.

Looking forward

Southbank Players has a number of plans for the coming 2024/2025 year. We will continue our efforts to engage with our members, and to grow the company. We will also continue to engage with and support the local community, and particularly the arts community in Belfast. We have returned to our normal production schedule, and we look forward to developing more rehearsed readings and company events. Planned projects include a continued review of our Governance structure as well as developing the skills – such as direction, set building, lights, and sound design – of our members.

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Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

Public benefit

The trustees of South Bank Playhouse are pleased to confirm that they have complied with their duty to have regard to the public benefit requirement and statutory guidance of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Our public benefit is demonstrated in a number of ways:

• We provide a positive cultural experience by providing high quality drama for the audiences who attend our productions in our Hall and elsewhere. This is evidenced by the feedback we receive from audiences, and from managers of other venues where we perform;

• We also provide a positive cultural experience for all those who participate in our activities. Our activities are open to anyone, as evidenced by the extensive involvement of people of all ages and from a wide variety of community and cultural backgrounds;

• Our Company’s ethos is to create an informal, friendly environment, welcoming and supporting everybody's participation in an enjoyable and social atmosphere. We have over 70 members, but we have many more who participate for one or two events over the year, or who support us regularly as audience members;

• We seek to engage with the local community in the Ormeau Road area and we are keen to increase the benefit we provide to local community groups by bringing an event out to their venues.

Financial Review

Our financial statement for the period 1st May 2023 to 30th April 2024 is attached to this report and shows that we had a surplus of income over expenditure of £5,432.18 for the period in question. As a result, our total funds at 30th April 2024 were £34,862.41 compared with £29,430.23 at 30th April 2023.

Our income from donations and legacies in the year was £24,779.02 compared with £22,707.69 in the previous financial year.

Our income ordinarily comes from three main sources: membership subscriptions; performance revenues; and donations from other groups for use of our premises. Breakdown of revenue streams was as follows:

• Membership subscriptions amounted to £10,372.50 including projected Gift Aid to be claimed. This was a small increase on the total of £10,183.13 for the previous year;

• Donations for performances in Southbank. This year saw us running three shows, and an increase in the number of performances to 6 nights for each show combined with very healthy attendance numbers saw record income this year, with donations from audience members totalling £10,706.52.

• Donations by other groups for use of the premises, which came to £3,700.00 compared with £3,755.00 in the previous year.

Our expenditure relating to operation of the theatre in the year came to £19,346.84, compared with £19,689.16 in the previous financial year. Our main expenditure is the rent that we pay to our landlords, The Scout Association.

Total rent paid in the accounting period is £9,143.72, in line with the previous year. We have recently re-negotiated our lease with the Scouts and with have rent increases in the coming years, however

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Annual Report and Accounts for year ended 30th April 2024

our strong reserves position and the continued financial strength of the company mean we are reassured that we can accommodate these increases.

Other significant expenditures include:

• Production expenses totalling £2,972.18.

• Heating and lighting costs of £3,110.37.

• Repairs and renewals totalling £1,453.15.

Declaration

This report was approved by a meeting of the management committee on February 17 2025 and is signed on behalf of trustees.

Katherine Beggs Chair

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South Bank Playhouse Ltd. Statement of Financial Activities for year ending 30 April 2024 Total Funds 2023124 Total Funds 2022123 {£) Note Income: Donations and legacies 24,779.02 22,707.69 Incomefrom choritable act7Vities." Performances in other venues 0.00 Income from other trading activitie5 0.00 Investment income 0.00 Grant income 5,000.IK) Total income 24.779.02 27.707.69 Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities." Operation of theatre 19,346.84 19,689.16 Grant disbursement 5,000.00 Total expenditure 19.346.84 24.689.16 Net income/(expenditure) and net movement in funds for the year 5.432.18 3,018.53 Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 29.430.23 26,411.70 Total funds carried fonmard 34A62.41 29.430.23

South Bank Playhouse Ltd. Balance Sheet as at 30 April 2024 Note 2024 {£) 2023 (£) Fixed assets Tangible assets 1,388.69 1.388.69 2,082.69 2 082.69 Totsl fixed assets Current assets Debtors Gift Aid to be claimed Prepayment of Royalties Prepayment- Water bill Prepayment - Rent Subscriptions received after year end Cash at bank and in hand 9.842.32 0.00 157.45 2,285.93 250.00 23,394.48 35.930.18 7.917.42 414.00 157.45 0.00 0.00 20,784.48 29.273.75 Totsl current assets Liabilities Creditors falling due within one year Buildings insurance premium First Night Insumnce Eurofire~ Fire Safety Checks Expenses poid after year end Rentfor extra month (year end amend) Net current assets 1,333.77 360.71 803.52 360.71 0.00 0.00 761.98 0.00 761.98 2A56.46 1.926.21 Total assets less current liabilities 34.862.41 29,430.23 c￿dItorS- falling due after more than one year Buildings insuronce premium Net assets 0.00 34,862.41 0.00 29,430.23 The total funds of the charlty 34 862.41 29 430.23

South Bank Playhouse Ltd. Statement of Cash Flows for year ending 30 April 2024 Note 2023124 2.610.00 2022123 2.324.77 Cash provided by operating actE¥ft5es Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of leasehold improvements Cash provided by (used in) inve5ttng activities 0.00 0.00 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 2.610.00 2,324.77 21,LMJ3.28 18,678.51 Totsl cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 23.613.28 21.003.28

Notes on the accounts l. Accounting Policies The principal accounting policies adopted. judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial ststements are as follows: Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared in accordan￿ with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2015)- (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. South Bank Playhouse Ltd meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s}. b) Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis The company's statement of financial activities shows an increase in funds for the year of £5,432.18, and we assert that the charity is a going concern on thi5 bas15. Income Income is recognised when the charity has entitlementto the funds, any performance conditions attached to the item{s) of income have been met. it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. Income from government and other grdnts, whether 'capital' grants or 're￿nUe, grants. is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds. any perfonnance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. d) Expenditure Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, It is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Tangible fixed assets Individual fixed assets costing £1,000 or more are capitalised at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful economic lives on a strdight line basis as follows: Asset Category Annual rate Equipment Leasehold improvements 2. Income from donations and legacies 2023-24 (£) 2022-23 {£) Donations from members (incl. Gift Aid) Donations for performance5 Donations for use of premises, props, costumes Donations for performances by another compary 10.372.50 10,706.52 3,700.(N) 10,183.13 8,392.16 3,755.00 377.40 Total 24.779.02 22.707.69 3. Analysis of expenditure on charitsble actsvities 2023-24 (£) 2022-23 (£) 2,972.18 2,429.92 0.00 400.00 890.96 865.71 9,143.72 9,143.72 1,453.15 1,835.95 3.110.37 2,823.42 513.02 182.53 556.34 714.83 13.10 13.00 694.00 1280.98 19,346.84 24,689.16 Production expenses Payment to other company for performance Insurance Rent Repairs & renewals Heat & light Postage, stationery, household Bank charges & fees Sundry expenses Depreciation & Amortisation Total expenditure

1. Tangible fixed assets Equipment Leasehold Improvements Total Cost At 1st May 2023 Additions Disposals At 30th April 2024 13,038.38 0.00 0.00 13.038.38 5.358.71 18,397.09 0.00 18,397.09 5,358.71 Depreciation At 1st May 2023 Charge for the year At 30th April 2024 12,240.40 266.00 12,506.40 4,074.00 428.C4) 4,502.00 16,314.40 694.00 17,008.40 Net book value at 30th April 2023 797.98 1.284.71 2,082.69 At 30th April 2024 531.98 856.71 1,388.69

2. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash Ilow from operating activities 2023-24 (£) 5,432.18 694.00 2022-231£) 3,018.53 1,280.08 Net movement in funds Add back depreciation charge Decrease (increase} in debtors Gift Aid payment to be claimed GiftAid payment received Accrualforsubscription - P McDonagh (1,924.50) 0.00 (250.00) 11,986.63) 1,857.69 250.00 Increase {decrease) in creditors Buildings insurance premium Prept7yment- Rent Prepayment- Royolties Eurofire Fire Safety inspection Expenses to company members Additional month s rent due to year end amend First Night Insuronce 530.25 (2,285.93) 414.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (2,219.981 378.00 (133.20) 1480.43) 0.00 360.71 Net cash provided by operdting activitses 2 324.77 Signed: Examined by: John Grattan Christopher Palmer Treasurer Date: 21 J2125 Date: 38/8/2