Tyne Theatre and Opera House Preservation Trust |
Extract from the Tyne Theatre and Opera House annual report 2010 LEGAL STATUS Tyne Theatre and Opera House Preservation Trust is a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The company is limited by guarantee and is a registered charity, number 1120746; Company number 03874271. OBJECTIVES OF TYNE THEATRE AND OPERA HOUSE PRESERVATION TRUST The objects for which the Trust is established are: (a) To acquire, restore and preserve for the benefit of the public at large the Grade One Listed Building known as The Tyne Theatre and Opera House; (b) The advancement of public education in all aspects of the dramatic arts by the presentation and production of plays and other expressions of drama including the commissioning of new works and the mounting of public performances and the mounting of classes, exhibitions and demonstrations of dramatic arts and theatre technology; (c) The advancement of public education in theatre technology by the preservation, conservation and exhibition of machinery and technology of the performing arts and the interpretation of such artefacts and their historical context. The advancement of public education in all aspects of the arts including music and music theatre, drama, decorative and visual arts, dance, ballet, circus, music hall and comedy and variety performance. REVIEW OF DEVELOPMENTS, ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS During 2010/11 work has continued on the development of a long term development and restoration plans for the theatre part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. This phase of work was completed with the delivery of an Education and Exhibition Plan prepared on behalf of the Trust by Tyne and Wear Museums and Archives. In November 2009 the Trust commissioned Simpson and Brown to undertake an architectural options appraisal of the building informed by the conservation plan and access strategy. This work was completed during 2010/11. Funding (£10,000) was granted from The Community Trust and (£2000) from the Theatres Trust towards the cost of the Architectural appraisal and options analysis. With the completion of a Conservation Plan, Education and Exhibition Plan, Access Plan and Architectural and Options Appraisal the Trust is in a position to develop a fundraising strategy for the restoration and development of the Theatre. It is hoped that an appeal for funds will be launched in 2012 with a target of securing funding for the major works by 2014/15. The Trust continues to enjoy good relations with its tenants SMG Europe and The Chinese IT Centre. SMG Europe continues to run a mixed programme of popular entertainment with naming sponsorship from the Journal. The Trust has secure lease arrangements with SMG through to the beginning of 2015. The tenancy with the Chinese IT Centre runs until December 2015. Brian Debnam and Associates Ltd has continued as co-ordinating consultants with the responsibility of looking after the Trust’s administrative affairs, co-ordinating the consultancy process, developing fundraising applications and developing the Trust’s long term business plan. PUBLIC BENEFIT The Trust’s activities preserve a Grade 1 listed building for the enjoyment of the public. Through the tenancy with SMG Europe a programme of performing arts and popular entertainment is run in the building. SMG informed the Trust that its attendances in 2010/11 were 93,403; an increase of 19.7% over attendances for 2009/10. The tenancy with the Chinese Community IT Centre provides the opportunity for the public to attend specialist classes in IT, numeracy and literacy and for the Centre to function as a focus for the City’s Chinese Community. Over 500 individual students and participants have engaged with the Centre over 2010/11. During September 2010 as part of English Heritage’s Heritage Open Days Project, tours of the theatre were organised which introduced the public to the backstage areas of the theatre in particular the Victorian stage machinery. The tours were developed as an animated dramatic experience where five final years students from the acting course at Newcastle College developed characters from the theatre’s past in order entertain and inform the audience. 13 tours were undertaken during the four days of Heritage Open Days to 450 people (capacity audiences). The programme was repeated in January 2011 in order to pilot the programme with students from local primary schools and to engage the region’s teachers in discussions about future education and tours programmes in the theatre; a further 60 young people benefited from these tours. The Trust’s Board room has been used by a number of arts and cultural organisations for meetings. The Swallows Foundation (UK), Theatre Sans Frontieres and the North East Circus Development Trust have taken advantage of the Trust’s hospitality and undertaken Board meetings in the Board Room. The trustees have had regards to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. ORGANISATION The Trust delegates the day to day running of the activities of the Trust to a Management Group which meets on a regular basis. The members of that Steering Committee in 2009/10 have been M. Dix (Chair), M. Summersby, E. Whyman, F. Lloyd, R Harris and J. Dixon. All members of the Trust are circulated with minutes and agendas from the Management Group and have the opportunity to attend when a particular item reflects their interest or expertise. Newcastle City Council’s appointed representative is also invited to attend all meetings of the Trust and its Management Group. The Co-ordinating consultant Brian Debnam has been responsible for advice to the Trust and the Steering Group and the day to day management of the Trust’s affairs. The Co-ordinating Consultant reports to the Management Group. |
