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2025-02-28-accounts

Charity Registration No. 108314

Company Registration No. NI644122 (Northern Ireland)

CRE8 THEATRE LTD

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 March 2025

CRE8 THEATRE LTD

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

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Trustees Mr Darren Ferguson
Ms Shauna Murphy
Ms Fiona Bell
Mr Simon McClean
Charity Number NIC108314
Company Number NI644122
Principal Address Nettlefield Primary School, Radnor Street
Belfast
Co Antrim
BT6 8BG
Registered Office Nettlefield Primary School, Radnor Street
Belfast
Co Antrim
BT6 8BG
Independent Examiner Mr Aidan Corrigan ACA
Corrigan CA Limited
24 Greystone Road
Antrim
BT41 2QN
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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

CONTENTS

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Page
Trustees' report 1 - 7
Statement of trustees' responsibilities 8
Independent examiner's report 9
Statement of financial activities 10
Balance Sheet 11
Notes to the financial statements 12-16
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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

The trustees of the Society are pleased to present their annual Director’s report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ending 31st March 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for a directors’ report and accounts for Companies Act purposes.

The financial statements comply with all relevant legislation and with current recommended accounting practice.

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||| |---|---| |Structure, governance and management:| |Board of Trustees:| |Chairperson:|Darren Ferguson| |Deputy chair:|Fiona Bell| |Treasurer:|Fiona Bell| |Secretary:|Simon McClean| |Key management personnel:|Artistic Director: Ms Sarah Lyle| |Independent Examiner:|Aidan Corrigan ACA| |Corrigan CA Limited| |24 Greystone Road| |Antrim| |BT41 2QN|

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Governing Document:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd is a limited company governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 18th January 2022. Cre8 Theatre Ltd is a registered charity with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Appointment of trustees:

The Chairperson and the Trustees recruit and select new Trustees as required. New Trustees are recruited on the relevance of their professional skills to Cre8 Theatre Ltd's company needs and their potential to be able to make a helpful contribution to the governance of the charity.

As part of the recruitment process, they are made aware of Trustees' legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the most up to date financial performance of the charity.

Cre8 Theatre Ltd purpose, aims and objectives:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd is a theatre production company whose mission is to present visually stunning and innovative theatre that enriches, educates and entertains.

Cre8 Theatre Ltd focuses on making work with high production values and is passionate about developing and nurturing its audiences, people and new talent, as well as promoting accessibility for all and working to a model that is sustainable and forward thinking.

The artistic team have a fresh, visionary approach to producing theatre that is inventive, reactionary, exciting and boundary breaking.

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

Cre8 Theatre Ltd aims and objectives are:

To produce a range of visually stunning, inclusive community focused artistic events. Examples include:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd aims to develop people’s confidence in communication through dance, acting and singing. Cre8 Theatre Ltd also aims to nurture and grow a creative activity focused on integration of the d/Deaf community into the arts sector in Northern Ireland.

Cre8 Theatre Ltd is committed to promoting:

Creative Achievements and performances:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd's recent work provides evidence of this:

March 2024: A Deaf Arts Festival which showcased a new d/Deaf artist production of 'Fishermans Friend'. An inclusive musical theatre production for both hearing and d/Deaf audidences, where d/Deaf performers and British Sign Language were an integral part of the show. Alongside this theatre production we held a range of shows and events over the weekend, ranging from sign language classes to sign song, to art tours.

April 2024: Script writing and song making for Theatre In Your Front Room play.

May 2024: Jordanstown School Deaf Arts School Workshops.

June 2024 - July 2024: Theatre In Your Front Room 'Corner Shops, Carts and Crochet': Funded by Arts Council Northern Ireland and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council we rehearsed and toured the play around care settings within the borough.

August 2024: Cre8 Theatre delivered the Ards and North Down youth arts summer scheme for children aged 6-17 years developing their skills in dance, singing and acting.

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

August - September 2024: Inspiring Access: Deaf Artists Workshop - Grand Opera House. Cre8 Theatre hosted a Deaf Artist workshop suitable for performers with any level of experience to expand their performance skills.

September 2024: BSL Storytime Workshops: Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Belfast City Council funded a set of school workshops which focused on developing student understanding of the d/Deaf community and tecahing British Sign Language to hearing children across the area. The sessions 'First Steps to Sign Language' were drama-based play sessions raising awareness about culture and workshopping communication methods.

September 2024: Sleeping Beauty in Theatre at The Mill and The Courtyard Theatre in October 2024: Sleeping Beauty in Grand Opera House: Funded by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Halifax Foundation and Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Sleeping Beauty featured both d/Deaf and hearing performers and audiences of mostly young people and families. Children in the audience loved getting to try out British Sign Language signs. Children were also encouraged to step onto the stage after the show to meet the actors and look up close at the puppets and scenery used.

October 2024: Halloween Theatre in the Park: A superb team of performers created a twisted fairytale walk about performance through the People's Park Pavilion in Ballymena. The event was funded by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and ha dover 6,000 visitors walk through and interact with the Halloween themed event.

January - February 2025: In person, Terrible Tales of Trash Schools Tour funded by Belfast City Council delivered to over 2,700 students in 30 primary schools across Belfast. The show was a theatrical journey through the world of waste. The show brought an exciting and interactive theatre experience to local schools to help young people understand the long-term impact of rubbish on our environment to encourage action to protect the planet. The students met historic characters from the cavemen era to World War II, discussing the challenge waste has faced throughout history.

March 2025: Cre8 Theatre ran it's third year of the Deaf Arts Festival NI (3), March 2025 where we held a wide range of events: walking tours, comedy improv, coffee mornings, sign classes, sculpting sign classes, a famous comedian and art tours, to sign song and karaoke.

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

Beneficiaries of Cre8 Theatre:

1. d/Deaf Community NI:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd are working on nurturing relationships and building on their work with the d/Deaf community NI, adults, young people and artists. Featuring the people of this community in the programming of year three of the Deafs Arts Festival NI 2025.

Cre8 Theatre Ltd are growing the festival experiences and engagements, such as:

2. d/Deaf artists:

We are working hard on ensuring deaf artists are involved in relevant projects from project inception. Incorporating their skills, knowledge and creativity from the seed of the idea, through to project forming and shaping to the end product.

3. Hearing people and artists:

We are blending deaf and hearing people and artists together in all of our processes, driving integration in NI forward, against all odds. Invigorating and rewriting the narrative for access and inclusion of the marginalised d/Deaf community and giving time and space forhearing people and artists to learn about deaf culture and have new found knowledge about this community. Including progressing sign language education.

4. NI Venues:

We are opening eyes and access in NI, for example we are offering BSL workshops in host festival venue MAC Theatre Belfast. Helping and encouraging the venue to think more about accessibility and its output and day to day product.

5. Children and Young people:

We are continuing our work with the children and young people across NI offering summer schemes and holiday workshops in theatre skills.

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

6. Older people:

We are engaging older people in care home settings in 2025-26 with our project ‘Theatre in your front Room' which will see older community participants engage in workshops in puppetry, songwriting, storytelling and music. Their stories being shaped into a touring piece of live theatre perfomerd by professional artists.

7. Rural living:

We are and will continue to programme outreach activity that occurs regionally and rurally in Northern Ireland for all ages.

Public benefit:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd’s aim is to provide accessible professional theatre and arts experiences for all people. Varying project to project especially focussing on children and young people and adults, ethnic minorities, marginalised communities including the d/Deaf community and older people in Northern Ireland. Promoting creativity, making arts accessible and enjoyable for all. The benefit of our work is to provide accessible professional theatre and arts experiences for all families, children and young people ensuring postive impacts on:

In addition, the benefits of promoting creativity in the lives of children and young people means that engaging in creative activities can help develop intrinsic human qualities, such as communication, expression, identity, culture and imagination, helping children and young people to shape their individual, community and global identity.

Plans for future projects:

In the year of March 2025 to March 2026 Cre8 Theatre Ltd will offer:

April 2025: We will work with our partners at Ards and North Down Borough Council, South Eastern Multidisciplinary Trust and Peninsula Healthy Living Partnership, planning the story gathering community workshops for the REAP ACNI 'Theatre in Your From Room 2' project.

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

May 2025 - June 2025: We will deliver the 'Theatre in Your Front Room 2' workshops in Ballywater, Kircubbin and Greyabbey.

August 2025: We will deliver two workshops for the Grand Opera House at their Grand Family Festival. A Sing Song workshop for deaf and hearing families, with one deaf and one hearing artist and a Puppet Play workshop for 7-10 year olds where we will make puppets and create improvisations and play.

We will write the script, compose the music for, cast and organise the tour for 'Theatre in Your Front Room 2.'

September 2025: We will rehearse with 3 actors in 'Theatre in Your Front Room 2 play.'

October 2025: We will tour 'Theatre in Your Front Room 2' to 10 venues - community centres, Ards Arts Centre, Portico, nursing homes.

March 2026: We will deliver the Deaf Arts Festival NI which will showcase a new d/Deaf artist production. An inclusive theatre production for both hearing and d/Deaf audiences, where d/Deaf performers and British Sign Language will be an integral part of the show. Alongside this theatre production we will hold a range of shows and events over the weekend, ranging from sign language classes to sing song, to arts tours in the MAC Belfast.

Thank you to our funders:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd is truly grateful for the financial support it receives from its range of funders. The ongoing funding has enabled Cre8 Theatre Ltd to meet its missions to deliver visually stunning, innovative theatre that enriches, educates and entertains all everyone involved and to continue to ensure that young people and adults across Northern Ireland continue to benefit from our artistic productions and that we could continue to create new innovative projects for the future.

Funders have included:

Belfast City Council Arts Council NI Halifax Foundation NI University of Ulster Ards and North Down Borough Council

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

Financial review:

Cre8 Theatre Ltd’s total annual income for the year amounted to £82,445 (2024 : £117,642) with total annual expenditure of £85,659(2024 : £128,316). The total deficit was £3,214 (2024 : deficit £10,674). Unrestricted reserves were £27,490 (2024 : £19,635) and Restricted reserves were £3,227 (2024 : £14,296).

Reserves:

The trustees have examined the charity’s reserves in light of the main risks to funding the organisation. The trustees continually observe the level of reserves, assessing if reserves are adequate and meet the needs of the charity, as they are aware of the future funding pots and projects the company will be running.

Risk management:

The board meets on a quarterly basis where they examine the current strategic risks faced by the Company. Actions are agreed at these meetings to mitigate against these risks.

Trustee Approval:

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 9th October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Darren Ferguson

09-Oct-25

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee Report and the accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requires the trustees to prepare 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 of the charity for that year.

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

I report on the accounts of Cre8 Theatre Ltd for the period ended 31 March 2025.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The trustees who are also the directors of Cre8 Theatre Ltd for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to the matters set out in the next statement.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no other matter except that referred to in the previous paragraph has come to my attention:

_________ Aidan Corrigan, ACA Corrigan CA Limited, 24 Greystone Road, Antrim, BT41 2QN 9th October 2025

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

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Note Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
Funds Funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Incoming Resources
Charitable Activities 2 22,471 46,496 68,967 101,108
Other Income 2 0 0 0 450
Trading Activities 3 13,478 0 13,478 16,084
Total Receipts 35,949 46,496 82,445 117,642
Payments
Charitable activities 4 26,310 57,565 83,875 126,756
Support Costs 4 1,784 0 1,784 1,560
Total Payments 28,094 57,565 85,659 128,316
Net receipts / (payments) 7,855 -11,069 -3,214 -10,674
Transfers between funds 0 0 0 0
Net movement in funds 7,855 -11,069 -3,214 -10,674
Funds brought forward 19,635 14,296 33,931 44,605
Funds carried forward 9 27,490 3,227 30,717 33,931
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10

CRE8 THEATRE LTD

BALANCE SHEET

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Cash At Bank and in hand
Accrued Income
Debtors
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
7
NET CURRENT ASSETS
Creditors: amounts greater than
one year
8
Net Current Assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income Funds
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
10		 £
£
0
13,018
5,780
15,204
34,002
-3,285
30,717
0
30,717
30,717
3,227
27,490
30,717
2025		 £
£
0
33,892
12,567
0
46,459
-7,430
39,029
-5,098
33,931
33,931
14,296
19,635
33,931
2024

For the period ended 31 March 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to Small Companies.

The members have not required the companiy to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of the accounts.

These accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 09 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Darren Ferguson Fiona Bell

11

CRE8 THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 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 (FROS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland Companies Act 2006". The financial statements have been prepared using the historical cost convention.

Charitable Funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Incoming Resources

Income from charitable activities is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income from grants, whether 'capital' or 'revenue' grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance 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.

Income from donations and legaices are recorded as received as entitlement arises at that stage and are classified as restricted or unrestricted according to any conditions stipulated/intended by the donor.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity. This is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Resources Expended

Expenditure on charitable activities is recognised once there is a legal and constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. The charity is below the charity audit threshold and therefore is exempt from reporting expenditure on an activity basis. The charity has opted to report by the nature of expenditure rather than on an activity basis.

12

CRE8 THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

Accounting Policices (continued)

Fixed assets and depreciation

All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value based on process prevailing at the date of acquisition of each asset evenly over its expected useful life, as follows:

Fixtures, Fittings & Office Equipment - 20% straight line basis

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

2. Income from Charitable Activities

Grants Receivable
Donations
Events
Other Income
Analysis of Grants Receivable
Ards & North Down Borough Council
Arts Council NI
Belfast City Council
Halifax Foundation NI
Mid & East Antrim Borough Council
University of Ulster
3. Income from Trading Activities
Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council
Ards & North Down Borough Council
Grand Opera House
Sorenson
Theatrical Productions: Box office takings		 Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
22,471
0
0
0
22,471
2025
£
0
0
13,571
350
8,550
0
22,471
Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
2,563
450
4,571
2,000
3,894
13,478		 Restricted
Funds
2025
£
46,496
0
0
0
46,496
2025
£
1,000
0
16,400
0
8,058
21,038
46,496
Restricted
Funds
2025
£
0
0
0
0
0
0		 Total
2025
£
68,967
0
0
0
68,967
2025
£
1,450
0
29,971
350
16,608
21,038
69,417
Total
2025
£
2,563
450
4,571
2,000
3,894
13,478		 Total
2024
£
65,106
2,000
34,002
450
101,558
2024
£
0
14,867
22,586
6,380
0
21,273
65,106
Total
2024
£
0
0
0
0
16,084
16,084

13

CRE8 THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

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4. Total resources expended 2025 2024
£ £
Included in Direct
Subcontractor Fees 31,739 53,142
Event Expenses 5,509 10,384
Artist Fees 17,565 39,690
Project Equipment Cost 128 16
Advertising & Marketing 890 0
Wages & Salaries 20,701 17,768
Pensions Costs 621 526
Bank Fees 100 28
Consulting 2,753 734
Entertainment 0 3
Storage Facilities 1,920 1,450
General Expenses 11 302
Insurance 245 240
Interest Paid 0 19
Van Hire/Rental 0 204
Car parking 0 62
Printing & Stationery 36 135
IT Software & Consumables 0 259
Room/Venue Hire 0 900
Staff Training 510 0
Subscriptions 934 25
Travel - National 212 868
83,875 126,756
Analysed as:
Restricted Funds 57,565 102,614
Unrestricted Funds 26,310 24,142
83,875 126,756
Included in Other
Audit & Accountancy Fees 1,784 1,560
1,784 1,560
Analysed as:
Restricted Funds 0 0
Unrestricted Funds 1,784 1,560
1,784 1,560
----- End of picture text -----

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CRE8 THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

5. Related Parties

There are no related party transactions to be disclosed.

6. Employees

The average number of employees during the year was 1. (2024, 1 employee). At the end of the year there were 1 employee.

7. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year

Trade Creditors
Payroll Creditors
Directors Current Account
Accruals
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Greater Than One Year
Directors Loan		 2025
£
1,183
462
0
1,640
3,285
2025
£
0		 2024
£
1,435
356
5,639
0
7,430
2024
£
5,098

8. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Greater Than One Year

9. Analysis of net assets between funds

Tangible Fixed assets
Current assets/(liabilities)
Long Term Liabilities		 Unrestricted
Funds
2025
£
0
27,490
0
27,490		 Restricted
Funds
2025
£
0
3,227
0
3,227		 Total
Funds
2025
£
0
30,717
0
30,717		 Total
Funds
2024
£
0
33,931
0
33,931

15

CRE8 THEATRE LTD

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31st March 2025

10. Movement in funds

Fund
Unrestricted
Restricted		 At
01/03/24
£
19,635
14,296
33,931		 Incoming
Resources
£
35,949
46,496
82,445		 Resources
Expended
£
28,094
57,565
85,659		 At
31/03/25
£
27,490
3,227
30,717

11. Company limited by guarantee

The company is limited by guarantee not having a share capital. The liability of each of its members is limited to £1.

12. Independent Examiners Remuneration

The independement examiner's remuneration was £1,784.

13. Trustee's Remuneration And Benefits

No trustees received any remuneration or other benefits for the year period 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 29th February 2024.

Trustee Expenses

There were no trustee expenses paid for the period ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 29th February 2024.

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