Commedia
of Errors
Annual Report
Period of Report
Start Date: 6 April 2022
End Date: 5 April 2023
Company Number: N1676327
Registered Charity Number: NIC108049
HMRC Number: N100617

Organisational
Commedia of Errors is a Company Limited by Guarantee IN1676327) and Registered Charity
INIC108049) based in Northern Ireland. Producing and touring theatre since adopting its
constitution on 2811012014. The company exists to: promote and develop the performing
arts for the benefit of the public; encourage appreciation of and participation in performing
arts activities and encourage and stimulate artistic creativity by the provision of artistic
performances, training, SUPPOrt and facilities for artistic expression
Currently the company is focusing on bringing theatre to communities / demographics
under-represented in traditional theatres and arts centres and is working to engage these
audiences in theatre and the Arts in general.
Commedia of Errors is run for the benefit of the publlc to advance the Arts and for the
advancement of Arts education.
Signed on behalf of the board by:
Staff ing
Artistic Director- Benjamin Gould
Co-creative - Clare Mcmahon
Assistant Producer- Megan Kelly
Board Members
Chair Person- Michael Weir
Secretary- David Gould
Treasurer- Neill Cauwood
Member- Sally Campton
Member- Fiona McAnespie
Member- Jenny Cooke OBE
Member- Mark Francos
Former Board Member (Left in year)
Member- Sally Visick
Company Address
17 Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast, BT9 7AS

Artistic Directorfs Statement
This year was an exciting time for the company. Emerging from the shadows of the
pandemic, whilst fraught with risk and uncertainty, provided many great opportunities.
Many of the covid restrictions had been removed, but financial risk and the possibilities of
show cancellations due to Covid-19 still posed major concerns. As such we manoeuvred to
deliver a 'safer' programme, through partnership, remodelling of projects and (in the early
part of the yearl a focus on Research and Development.
Supported by ACNI, we were afforded the opportunity to undertake two pieces of RnD,
progressing some of our most exciting and challenging work to date. Petra - incorporating
new technologies into theatre, utilising live streaming as a performance tool, and North of
the Island which marks a new style of writing for Clare Mcmahon - an exciting new play built
around a non-naturalistic style. Both were showcased to small audiences who were highly
complimentary and excited by their experiences.
Moving into September, the company created The Gap Year, in association with the Lyric
Theatre. This was a marked step up in scale, with a cast of six and full creative team. The
production was a huge success creatively and commercially, showcasing the ability of our
creatives and building the company brand. Enamoured audiences travelled from all over the
province, with many watching the play multiple times, The show sold out its final week and
played to almost 7,000 people, almost unheard of for a new play and certainly for a new
writer on the mainstage. It marked a development and continuation of the company's
treasured relationship with the Lyric and opened the door for future ambitions.
The company also undertook the development of Rosebud and the play's writer Rose
Coogan in partnership with the Lyric Theatre. Rose was brought in under a Seed Contract,
undertaking a bespoke development programme building their writing and industry skills as
well as developing their play which we hope to bring to production in the coming years.
The year ended with a revival of l Am Moura, this time with actor Calla Hughes taking on the
title role. The production opened at the Belfast Children's Festival before touring schools
and ending with a short run at the Lyric's Naughton. The tour was a huge success, surpassing
ticketing targets and receiving exceptional response from audiences and from the
international delegates attending BCF.
Plays Aloud continued to go from strength to strength throughout the year and for the first
time reached service users in every county in the province. Now in its sixth year, the
programme is as vital as ever, Initially touring Outdoors, with our own touring rig, as
restrictions eased it was possible to return to indoor touring. Response from audiences and
the schemes visited was phenomenal and it was great to have the chance to reconnect in-
person.
Finally, Dementia: Changing Perspectives got the greenlight and received funding from
Future Screens Nl. Filmed in November, and edited in the following months, the final

product is a short but powerful film which we hope to utilise in the development of a larger
programme going forward.
2022-2023 was an exceptionally busy year for us as an organisation. The groundwork we
laid during the pandemic began to really bear fruit and as a result we were afforded a
number of opportunities which we grasped with both hands. l am exceptionally proud of all
that we achieved this year and believe it will put us in good stead for years to come.

Projects
The Gap Year
THE
GA
BYCIARE FFMAIKIN
Audience Figures
Lyric Theatre Main Stage 6,823
Written by Co-creative Clare Mcmahon and following development with the Fishamble and
the Lyric Theatre's new playwrights programme The Gap Year was presented at the New York
Origin festival in 2020, along with the Lyric Theatre's series of audio plays created during the
pandemic.
In September 2022, the piece made its stage debut in collaboration with the Lyric Theatre,
The Gap Year directed by Artistic Director Benjamin Gould. This marked the company's Main
Stage debut moving from smaller scale studio shows to reachin8 an audience of over 6000+
during the course of the run. The show reached 6,823 audience members over 23 shows. The
show was received with both critical and audience acclaim.
"We really enjoyed the Gap Year. BrilliL7ntly written and acted. Would definitely recommend-
Audience Feedback
Playwright Clare Mcmahon and director Benjamin Gould have created L7 masterpiece ond I
dare say this production will be entertoining audiencesfor years to come -Belfast Media
"Witty, warm and wise, The Gap Ye(7r shows ogGin Mcmahon as a writer of potential Gnd
growing confidence Gnd ability- British Theatre Guide

l Am Maura
Audience Figures
MAC Shows -
School Shows
Lyric Shows -
105
297
293
Total
695
A'mll AUhA
Wirt*•Th by Cl41• m<rnoknn
2005. Maura is 15 and trying to find a boyfriend. Only she's surrounded by girls and is
startin8 to think she might actually prefer them, Asking questions in school means awkward
blushes and detention. Her only guidance is Martine Mccutcheon's 'Perfect Moment, and
her best mate Ali.
The production debuted at The Mac as part of Belfast's Children's Festival, before touring to
St Louise's College, Northern Regional College, Hazelwood Integrated College and Ulidia
Integrated College, finishing With four shows in the Lyric's Naughton Studio. The audience
response was exceptional
-It was great to see the portrayol of the LGBTQ norrative. In most media they're preachy and
performative. It was great to see something truthful and reol."_ School student
'1 felt seen for the first time"
School Student
op theatre, get booking now. Conor O'Neill - Culture Crush
"l Am Maura captures the bost and worst of being a
teenager, and evokes memories of those {les5 than)
halcyon days in secondary educotion.-
Alan Meban

Plays Aloud
Outdoor Summer Tour- 361
Christmas Tour- 371
Total
732
r.
After going online during the Pandemic, Plays Aloud finally made it back in person. In Sprin&
a trial outdoor tour with resident artist Geoff Hatt went on the road. This proved a success
and made way for Plays Aloud first in person tour since 2019.
At Christmas, the programme finally made its way back into the living rooms of care homes
across Northern Ireland, and met the milestone of reaching every county. As always,
feedback was fantastic and everyone was thrilled to have Plays Aloud back inside.
As always, Plays Aloud werefantastic, enthusiostic andfriendly and in no rush to leavel"
Real lovely-feeling of positivity ond hoppiness. All smiles"
"One resident engaged moment and tapping his toes - doesn't do this often"

Dementia: Changing Perspectives
In September 2022, we received funding from Future Screens Nl to create a proof-of-
concept VR film for our Dementia- Changing Perspectives which is a unique dementia
awareness and empathy building programme that use5 immersive technology to allow users
to experience the lived experiences of those living with dementia. The film was made with a
script by Clare Mcmahon based and directed by Benjamin Gould. Testing of the film began
in May 2023 and feedback was very p051tive. When asked "Do you feel this, and similar
experiences, are beneficial for formal and in-formal carers of those living with dementia?"
100% of participants answered yes. When asked if experiencing Dementia through the film
has had a positive impact, 76% of respondents said yes,
"I thought it wasfL7ntastic, we've done this for a long time, but it opened your eyes to
something else"
Testing Participant
Very relotable, it's nice for it to be normalised [11 felt very alone and slightly oshomed with
the diagnoses because I didn't know anyone in the same situation - stuff like this helps with
that - Testing Participant

Rosebud
In 2022, the playwright and the play were co-commissioned under a development contract
by the Lyric and Commedia of Errors, funded by ACNI, incorporating ongoing training for the
playwri8ht. Durin8 this time Commedia of Errors facilitated 6 personal development sessions
with writin8 mentor Clare Mcmahon; ongoing feedback with director Benjamin Gould; 2 days
workshopping with actor Caroline Curran; mentorship with trans theatre maker Pea Dineen
and tickets to attend a variety of performances. This concluded in a reading hosted by the
Lyric with an invited audience. Progress with the play has been very good and the playwright's
skills and experience are developing. The play is at a high level and the audience response to
th
a rehearsed reading of the play on 24 May was very positive
Petra Von Kant
In 2021, the company held a reading of the piece with 6 actors. With the support of ACNI,
undertook a two-week research and development process, culrriinatin8 in a small public
sharing. The R&D process explored the juxtaposition of in-person and digital experience as a
direct response to the time immediately after the Covid-19 lockdowns. Using multiple
cameras, images from the cameras were live mixed by the Technical Director and broadcast
through projection onto 5creen5 placed throughout the set. Captioning was also incorporated

into the images and the design. These images supplemented and challenged the live action,
highlighting moments of great intimacy, challenging actors to betray their inner thoughts as
they pose for the camera and offering otherwise unseen perspectives. The public sharing was
attended by 20 creatives and feedback was gathered.
North of the Island
NORTH OF
THE ISLAN
EXPLORE
In March 2021, with the support of ACNI, Commedia of Errors commissioned Clare Mcmahon
to write a new play as an artistic response to the centenary of 100 years of Northern Ireland.
In April 2022, the company held 2 days of research and development of the text with four
actors. Working with the actors unlocked new discussions and a better understanding of the
world of the play allowing the playwright to further develop the work going forwards. In June
2022, the company held a rehearsed reading of the piece in Accidental Theatre for an
audience of 20. Feedback from the reading was positive and production of the play is planned
for 2024.
10

Financial Summary
From 6th of April 2022 to the 5th of April 2023 we generated a total income of
£136,162.41 and expended £141,392.03.
Our income sources are as indicated below-
We would like to give particular thanks to our funders- without whom our
work would not have been possible.
Income sources
Income f rom Charitable Activities
Performance Fees
17°
Box Off ice Receipts
10
Workshops
i.
Grants
Arts Council of Northern Ireland
Dfc
Future Screens Nl
Garfield Weston
Foyle Foundation
Allen Lane
Halifax Foundation
WG Edwards
Esmee Mitchell
40%
190
4%
4°
4%
10
Company Expenditure
Support Costs
Operational Staff
32.98%
Charitable Expenditure
Freelancer Fees
Venue Hire
Marketing
Office
Travel
Miscellaneous
56.03%
2.76%
2.700A
1.61%
1.020
0.89%
11

Set/Costume/Props
Insurance
Technical
0.850A
0.340
12

Declaration
These financial statements are for the current financial yea
ended 5 April
2023 and were approved by the Board of Directors on .
.by:
Name:
Status:
13