Three's Theatre Company Ltd Company Limited By Guarantee
Trustees’ report (including Directors’ report)
For the Year ended 31 July 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 ~~.~~
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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 1 January 2019)" ~~.~~
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Principal Activity
The Company has power: to commission, present, promote, organise, manage and produce performances, workshops, written material and exhibitions of works of cultural and heritage value including performances, dramas, comedies and exhibitions ~~.~~ To provide a forum for discussion, debate and reflection within communities to celebrate accurately and inclusively our shared history and traditions ~~.~~
Mission, Objectives and Strategy
Mission
Our mission is to nurture and sustain local talent by creating opportunities for artists to showcase their work through unique and memorable theatrical experiences ~~.~~ Through our productions, workshops, and community outreach programs, we aim to foster creativity and empower individuals to explore their artistic potential. Additionally, Three's Theatre Company is dedicated to building relationships between the creative industries and other sectors within Northern Ireland ~~.~~ By collaborating with local businesses, schools, and community organisations, we seek to create a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape ~~.~~ Furthermore, we are committed to encouraging conversations around modern social issues and using theatre as a platform for social change ~~.~~ We believe in telling stories with empathy, openness, and curiosity, and strive to engage audiences in thought ~~-~~ provoking experiences that inspire dialogue and understanding.
Objectives
~~-~~ Explore how we can create experiences that can be used to engage young people in creative arts and use creativity.
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Strengthen partnerships with local businesses and funding organisations to secure funding and resources for our projects and initiatives.
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Enhance audience engagement through innovative and interactive theatrical experiences ~~.~~
Strategy
Our strategy for achieving our objectives revolves around three main pillars: engagement, artistic excellence, and financial sustainability ~~.~~
1 ~~.~~ Engagement: We will continue to prioritise outreach and collaboration, working closely with local schools, community centres, and grassroots organisations to make theatre accessible to all. Through workshops, performances, and participatory events, we aim to foster a sense of belonging and empowerment.
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Three's Theatre Company Ltd Company Limited By Guarantee
Trustees' report (including Directors’ report) (continued)
For the Year ended 31 July 2025
Strategy (continued)
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Artistic Excellence: We are committed to producing high ~~-q~~ uality theatre that challenges, inspires, and entertains audiences ~~.~~ By investing in the professional development of our artists and creative team, we will ensure that our productions are artistically innovative and socially relevant ~~.~~ We will also strive to cultivate diverse voices and perspectives, reflecting the rich tapestry of Northern Ireland's cultural landscape ~~.~~
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Financial Sustainability: To sustain our mission and operations, we will pursue a mult ~~i-~~ faceted approach to fundraising and revenue generation ~~.~~ This includes diversifying our funding sources through grant applications, corporate sponsorships and ticket sales ~~.~~ We will also explore opportunities for earned income.
Public benefit
In line with its stated aims and objectives, the trustees are confident that the charity is undertaking activities which provide public benefit ~~.~~
Achievements and Performance
During the reporting period, Three’s Theatre successfully delivered a range of commissioned and funded projects across Northern Ireland ~~.~~
We were awarded a tender by Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council to design and deliver a bespoke performance for the city. In collaboration with the council and local businesses, we created an interactive show featuring two elves. The performance began in Bow Street Mall, moved through Lisburn city centre, and concluded in Castle Gardens with a light display. The event attracted an audience of over 900 people.
We were also commissioned by Belfast City Council, in partnership with Studio Sykes, to create Shadowdock, a large ~~-~~ scale light and sound theatre experience staged in Thompson Dry Dock ~~.~~ The project formed part of the Belfast 2024 programme of activities and launched in September 2024 ~~.~~ Development began in 2023 following a successful tender. The event ran over four days and was attended by nearly 3,000 people.
In addition, we received funding from The National Lottery to deliver The Wee Swap, a community ~~-f~~ ocused project combining arts activities with a children’s clothing and item exchange ~~.~~ The initiative promotes the circular economy by encouraging reuse and reducing landfill. The project took place in Belfast in September 2025 and engaged 660 participants ~~.~~
Financial Review
Total income for the year was £54,002 (2024: £50,329) ~~.~~ Artistic grants amounted to £37,449 (2024: £45,727) and other income amounted to £16,553 (2024: £4,602)
Total expenditure for the year was £38,896 (2024: £48,348). The cost of charitable activities amounted to £38,896 (2024: £48,348).
Net income for the year amounted to £15,106 (2024: £1,981) consisting of unrestricted net income of of £5,680 (2024: £2,621 net expenditure) and restricted net income of £9,426 (2024: £4,602) ~~.~~
Reserves policy
It is policy of the charity to maintain free reserves which matches the needs of the charity, both at the current time and the foreseeable future. This provides sufficient funds to cover running costs which include management, administration and support costs ~~.~~ Free reserves are those unrestricted reserves not designed nor invested in fixed assets which are available for general use.
Plans for future periods
The current activities will be continued next year in line with our objectives.
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Three's Theatre Company Ltd Company Limited By Guarantee
Trustees’ report (including Directors’ report) (continued)
For the Year ended 31 July 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
Structure
Three's Theatre Company operates as a Company Limited by Guarantee and a registered charity governed by a Board of Trustees ~~.~~ Our organisational structure includes dedicated teams responsible for artistic programming, production management, marketing and communications, finance and administration, and engagement ~~.~~
Governance
The Board of Trustees provides strategic oversight and governance to Three's Theatre Company, ensuring that we remain true to our mission and values ~~.~~ Composed of experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds, the Board meets regularly to review organisational performance, set strategic priorities, and provide guidance on key decisions. Trustees are selected based on their expertise in areas such as arts management, fundraising, law, and computer programming, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to our organisation ~~.~~ We currently have 3 board members ~~.~~
Management
Day ~~-t~~ o ~~-~~ day operations of Three's Theatre Company are overseen by our Artistic Director, who works with the Board of Trustees to implement strategic goals and objectives ~~.~~ Our team is small but dedicated, mainly our Artistic Director and when funding allows Kathy Young supports administration and financial administrative support, for specific programmes we bring in a team of experts and high quality artists ~~.~~ Together, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and creativity in everything we do ~~.~~
Recruitment, appointment, induction and training
The trustees regularly review the requirements of the charity and the possibility of a need for additional trustees ~~.~~ Any new trustees would be appointed by resolution of a meeting of all the trustees passed by a majority of those present. Appropriate training and induction is available to all trustees ~~.~~
Recruitment, appointment, induction and training (continued)
| The trustees, who are also | The trustees, who are also | The trustees, who are also | the directors for the purpose ofcompany law, and who served during the year | the directors for the purpose ofcompany law, and who served during the year | the directors for the purpose ofcompany law, and who served during the year | the directors for the purpose ofcompany law, and who served during the year | the directors for the purpose ofcompany law, and who served during the year | the directors for the purpose ofcompany law, and who served during the year | the directors for the purpose ofcompany law, and who served during the year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| and up | to the date of signature ofthe financial statements were: | ||||||||
| Q Buhidma Retired from Board |
|||||||||
| CL Burn | Retired from Board | ||||||||
| C T Dalton Chair of Board |
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| R Furphy | Board Member / Treasurer | ||||||||
| B McFeely Board Member/Secretary |
Risk management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate an exposure to major risks. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks the charity faces ~~.~~
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees, who are also the directors of Three's Theatre Company Ltd for the purpose of company law are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) ~~.~~
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Three's Theatre Company Ltd Company Limited By Guarantee
Trustees’ report (including Directors’ report) (continued)
For the Year ended 31 July 2025
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities (continued)
Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements 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, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
~~-~~ select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
~~-~~ observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
~~-~~ make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
~~-~~ state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
~~-~~ prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation ~~.~~
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 ~~.~~ 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 ~~.~~
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees
C T Dalton Trustee Dated: 2 April 2026
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