ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 Mayflower Theatre No. 52 ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 Chairman’s 52nd in The Sunday Times Best Not-for-Profit Report Organisations to work for

Mayflower Theatre has had a highly successful 90th Birthday year with We thank our loyal sponsors and partners Paris Smith, Beechdean, Carlsberg, The Hotel, Angela some important developments and initiatives, which ensure that we Holidays, Rees Group, Geo Speciality Chemicals, consolidate our position as a key cultural institution in the south. Brymor Construction, Peter Cooper and TNG for their continuing support.

We presented 389 performances and were delighted to is a testament to the dedication of our wonderful staff. Finally, I pay tribute to my fellow directors and our company welcome a total attendance of 514,277 which represented an We continue our commitment to their personal development secretary, for their contributions at meetings and support of average capacity of 77.8%. Our most highly attended shows with a series of internal initiatives which offer opportunities for me and the Theatre. This ensures excellent governance and included Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Craig our teams to work together and understand the key role they a positive approach – across the whole company – to all Revel Horwood and The Chuckle Brothers, Miss Saigon, all play in the success of their theatre. aspects of the business. The Band and Sister Act. None of the above would be possible without the dedication We continue to take our advocacy role seriously as part of the and hard work of our Chief Executive, Michael Ockwell, vibrant cultural scene in Hampshire. Our Engage work goes whose enthusiasm and love of the Mayfower Theatre creates from strength to strength with nearly 25,000 people taking the perfect platform for his Executive Team and all staff to Malcolm Le Bas part in our community initiatives, whether as part of our Open contribute so much to the success of the Theatre. Chairman Voices Choir, aimed at retired residents, or in the numerous public performances of our Youth Theatre. Our writing project So:Write with our local associate company Artful Scribe was oversubscribed. Our Chief Executive is a Director of Culture and is also Chairman of the Mayfower 400 steering group which is curating the commemorations that will take place in Southampton in 2020 to mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of The Mayfower. The Board has embraced the new Charity Governance 24,906 Code published in July 2017 to help ensure high standards of governance. The seven areas covered by the code are: PEOPLE TAKING PART IN OUR organisational purpose, leadership, integrity, decision making, COMMUNITY INITIATIVES risk and control, board effectiveness, diversity and openness and accountability. These were the focus of a Board away day in the autumn.

We were very proud that our organisation was ranked 52nd in The Sunday Times Best Not for Profit Organisations to work for – the only theatre to feature in the top 100 and this TOTAL ATTENDANCE OF 514,277 77. 8% AVERAGE CAPACITY

02 03 Mayflower Theatre Sir ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 & Michael Ockwell

OPERA MATINEE SEASONS PERFORMANCE Chief Executive’s FROM THE WITH THE AIM WELSH NATIONAL TO OFFER WIDER Artistic Report 2OPERA 1st ACCESS TO OPERA

We were delighted with the We established our Associate Companies Scheme which will see us strengthen our relationships with Birmingham Royal programme of events we were Ballet, English National Ballet, Northern Ballet and able to offer this year – we ZooNation: The Kate Prince Dance Company. continue to develop our artistic BRB gave us a mesmerising performance of The Sleeping vision to ensure that there is Beauty, ENB a wonderful Nutcracker and Sir Matthew Bourne made his annual visit with his brilliant production of Cinderella. a diversity of art forms which Our association with Welsh National Opera saw two seasons appear on our stage. featuring La boheme and Madam Butterfly in the autumn and a stunning Die Fledermaus in the spring. It is essential that we continue to meet our strategic aim of We also presented our first opera matinee performance presenting the very best opera, ballet, new musicals, drama, with the aim to offer wider access to opera. family friendly shows and one night concerts.

Having committed to developing our dance programme we presented a triple bill from Rambert which featured their seminal work Ghost Dances. We also continued our commitment to international dance with a visit from Acosta Danza, Carlos Acosta’s new dance company, WORLD plus a world premiere of The Little Mermaid by Northern Ballet. PREMIERE BY NORTHERN BALLET WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR COMMITMENT TO INTERNATIONAL TRIPLE BILL DANCE WITH A VISIT FROM CARLOS ACOSTA’S ACOSTA DANZA FROM RAMBERT

04 05 Chief Executive’s Artistic Report continued… ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018

2017/18 Chris Hadfield & PANTOMIME Michael Ockwell ATTENDANCE OF

We presented a variety of new touring shows with The Addams Family, The Play that Goes Wrong, Beautiful, Cilla the Musical, 68,393 The Band and Fat Friends bringing a wide and diverse audience to our theatre.

Our focus on developing family audiences was supported by visits OVER39 NEW from We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Justin’s Party, Ben & Holly’s 7 Little Kingdom, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Dinosaur World, PERFORMANCES TOURING SHOWS Awful Auntie and The Snowman. I am grateful to the Producers who continue to make Mayfower Theatre their first choice to tour their shows and also all the artists who grace our stage.

Michael Ockwell, Chief Executive

OUR FOCUS IS ON YOUNGER DEVELOPING AUDIENCES

06 07 Mayflower Theatre ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 Fat Friends

Shows 2017/18 With grateful thanks to the performers who appear on our stage

NORTHERN BALLET’S THE LITTLE MERMAID, ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET NUTCRACKER, BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET THE SLEEPING BEAUTY MATTHEW BOURNE’S CINDERELLA • AN EVENING WITH BOYCOTT & AGGERS, AN EVENING WITH EARL CARPENTER, BILLY OCEAN, JIMMY CARR: THE BEST OF, WESSEX HEARTBEAT VARIETY SHOW, RUSSELL BRAND: RE-BIRTH, STEWART LEE: CONTENT PROVIDER, THE SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW, THAT’LL BE THE DAY, JON RICHARDSON: OLD MAN, LIVE IN CONCERT, SIMPLE MINDS, SINGALONGA SOUND OF MUSIC, AL MURRAY: LET’S GO BACKWARDS TOGETHER, RICKY GERVAIS: HUMANITY, KEVIN & KAREN DANCE, JANE MCDONALD: MAKING MEMORIES, JOE MCELDERRY – GLORIA, MICHAEL MCINTYRE, CRAIG DAVID, JOEL DOMMETT – LIVE, CLAIRE MARTIN & THE BBC BIG BAND THE BREAST COMEDY NIGHT EVER!, THE HOLLIES, SIXTIES GOLD, COLLABRO, JOOLS HOLLAND AND HIS RHYTHM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA MIKE OSMAN: TRUMPED, KATHERINE JENKINS, ANTON & ERIN: FROM BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD, SHAWN KLUSH - ELVIS WORLD TOUR BRENDAN COLE – ALL NIGHT LONG, AN EVENING WITH CHRIS HADFIELD, JOHN BISHOP – WINGING IT • COMPANY WAYNE MCGREGOR – FAR, SIDI LARBI CHERKAOUI - MILONGA, RAMBERT: GHOST DANCES & OTHER WORKS, ACOSTA DANZA, STOMP, TANGO MODERNO • JANE EYRE THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG • WE’RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, JUSTIN’S PARTY, BEN & HOLLY’S LITTLE KINGDOM, DINOSAUR WORLD MISTER MAKER AND THE SHAPES LIVE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, , THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA, THE SNOWMAN THE WEDDING SINGER, WONDERLAND, FUNNY GIRL, SISTER ACT, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, , GUYS & DOLLS, DREAMBOATS & PETTICOATS, FLASHDANCE THE MUSICAL, BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING STORY, CILLA THE MUSICAL, ALL OR NOTHING, THE BAND, LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL, CRAZY FOR YOU, SUNSET BOULEVARD, HAIRSPRAY, FAT FRIENDS THE MUSICAL, MISS SAIGON • WELSH NATIONAL OPERA • BREAKIN’ CONVENTION, : UNDERGROUND, SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW • SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS

08 09 Summer Youth Project Participants Katie, Charlie & Madina

Community 24,906 people were reached by Engage activity this year. Engagement

Community “First, let me congratulate you on another amazing show, loved it, even writing about Over the year we have engaged with 24,906 it gives me goose bumps. You are a great team and you make it fun for children so people through our community and education Parent, Musical Youth Theatre outreach programme Engage. We continue to thank you.” offer opportunities in the key areas of our Summer Youth Projects, Mayfower Musical Youth Theatre (MMYT), Mayflower Musical Youth Theatre Workshops, Performances, Projects and Show Events. GROUPS Mayfower Musical Youth Theatre met regularly with 3 OF 10-18 We have established our work in writing development both through groups ranging in age from 10 – 18 years and a separate YEAR OLDS our Young Writers groups and through our Writer in Residence. production group of mixed ages. Each group had a community 3 We have also developed regular work for older people through our performance which included a Christmas play performed to an Open Voices singing group and our Reminiscence mornings. ex–serviceman’s club in Havant with 22 young people involved. We also collaborated with Mayfower Young Writers who 296 people in our Open Voices singing sessions created pieces based on the life of passengers and crew on-board Titanic. These pieces were performed at Public & Educational Workshops and Events The Sea City Museum in Southampton. We held 19 public and community workshops over the year with a With support from Autism Arts Funding we developed our Bursary Scheme total attendance of 381. Our Writer in Residence, Dinos Aristidou Serendipity Group for adults on the autism spectrum to include Our Higher Education Bursary supported 11 young people spent time in all departments of the theatre as well as offering monthly workshop activities, opportunities to see shows and this year with awards totalling £20,500. Through our links with ‘Gifts of Writing’ to patrons at 15 performances and events attend a tour of our theatre. As well as our wider accessible leading drama schools we also held our first drama school fair reaching a total of 503 people. Our Mayfower Young Writers performances we offered Touch Tours on two shows - Sister Act with representatives attending from Old Vic, Central groups met regularly at the theatre on Saturday mornings for a and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. 13 people attended in School of Speech & Drama, Italia Conti, Mountview and programme of workshops, talks and visits to see shows including total and then watched the Audio Described Performances. The Academy of Live & Recorded Arts. writing for our Youth Theatre in response to the Titanic Exhibition We undertook a large partnership project with the National at Sea City Museum. Citizenship Service delivering 19 workshops about the theatre Public Tours We were delighted to welcome Breakin’ Convention and held a and our work as a charity to 519 young people aged 17, they 33 private and public tours of the theatre have programme of Hip Hop dance events bringing new audiences also experienced drama sessions. We provided 14 show events taken place attended by a total of 596 customers. PRIVATE & to the theatre. A total of 1,554 people took part in a wide range including pre-show talks, post-show question In addition we held a further 28 tours connected of workshops and outreach activity. We offered a wide range of and answer sessions and open rehearsals with PUBLIC to our education groups with 398 young people taking part. TOURS educational workshops with 2,258 young people taking part from a total of 1,253 audience 33 schools and colleges. For the first time we co-facilitated work members attending. with Richard Taunton Sixth Form College on their BTEC course. In addition we offered our first schools concert in conjunction with EDUCATIONAL Welsh National Opera with 1,400 young people in attendance, WORKSHOPS WITH the most successful schools concert they have held nationally.

We worked with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Company to offer 25 students from Solent University and University of 2,258 Winchester the opportunity to create a curtain raiser performance for Cinderella. This was performed just before the main show YOUNG PEOPLE to an audience of 1,486. With financial support from the Rotary TAKING PART Club of Southampton we offered 15 sessions of our new Open Voices singing group with a total attendance of 296. “I wanted to thank you for the workshop last week. The kids had a fantastic time and were absolutely buzzing on their way home.” Teacher, Theatre Day

10 11 Summer Youth Project Participants Mia, Ajay & Oliver Community 1,483 visits since we Engagement continued… launched our Heritage Archive.

Heritage Summer Youth Projects “My daughter’s words: Summer Youth Our My Story Project culminated in a Our Summer Youth Project, Guys & Dolls, “The best thing I have been celebration event including young people, took place during the summer from Project Feedback community partners who had participated in July 29th – August 12th. involved with all my life”. the filming or submitted stories, our volunteers I could tell by watching her reaction to 185 young people took part in the production taking We always take great pride in the and our local associate company City Eye Community Film on a range of roles, we also again welcomed hair and the whole 2 weeks – so engrossed, feedback we receive from our many Company. Following the success of the project we have makeup students from Solent Untiversity to work on the team. Engage participants, here is just a selection below: continued our commitment to Heritage by appointing a happy and very excited.” Three performances took place with a total of 3,513 Parent, Heritage Project Manager. “Without a doubt, my daughter has got more self-belief and audience members. Summer Youth Project Over the year we coordinated 51 volunteering sessions the cast in the lead roles were a true inspiration to her. with 11 volunteers working hard to arrange all programmes, We held our second Summer Youth Dance Project linked And lovely to hear her say that they are lovely people too!” Parent posters and photos chronologically and begin working on creatively with our Summer Youth Project titled The Guys press cuttings. In total we have benefitted from 460 hours & The Dolls. 22 young people participated and an original “My daughter said everyone was lovely and the team were of volunteer time over the year. performance piece was created working with our Associate great fun. She said she felt happy to ask her team leader Artist Zoie Golding and Birmingham Royal Ballet. anything which is amazing and shows what a great job all We also delivered heritage talks in the community and hosted the staff involved did. Giving the children confidence and 3 reminiscence mornings aimed at those with dementia and building trust so quickly was wonderful… and made her their carers, with 66 people attending. excited to come every day.” Parent Since its launch in June the online Archive had 1,483 visits. THREE PERFORMANCES “The summer youth project is an amazing achievement. The quality of the show is always first class, but it is the atmosphere of the experience that is so important. How you can put on such a show with 180 children in just 2 weeks is utterly beyond me. It has been a totally joyful 460hrs experience for my daughter 3 years running and I thank OF VOLUNTEER TIME OVER THE YEAR 3,513 AUDIENCE MEMBERS all the amazingly passionate and happy staff for that.” Parent

“You are all so giving and loving, energetic, gifted and talented. You are all a pleasure to get to know and have in our lives” Parent

“I thought the show was fantastic! Such a great idea & they all looked superb up there. We were very entertained and proud. Thank you so much for making this such a great experience.” Parent, Summer Youth Dance Project

“This project was absolutely amazing and I enjoyed every bit of it – it’s a great place to make new friends and do what I love doing – singing, dancing and acting. Thank you!” Participant

“Definitely will be auditioning for future projects. Mayflower Theatre SYP is the highlight of my year” Participant

12 13 Mayflower Theatre ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018

Attendance by Genre 2017/18 Income & Expenditure 2017/18

Pantomime 68,393 55,111 Comedy/Concerts Total Income Our total Surplus for the The theatre retained an average £19,642,287 year was £1,605,133 26.3% of ticket sales Young Children Under 5 29,130 15,776 Variety (Including investment income and gains) Opera 15,064 22,624 Dance £20m Musicals 253,054 11% 19,438 Drama 35,687 Ballet 13% 3% 4%

£15m £15,251,106 4% £11,764,427 £5,388,443 6% 7% £10m £2,405,266 3% £1,985,915 £884,284

£5m 514,277 TOTAL ATTENDANCE

£0m Box office Other Trading Other Production Trading Overheads Income Income Income Costs Costs 49%

Mayflower Theatre is the best Oh my, Miss Saigon was amazing. I love the Mayflower Theatre, always have, Miss Saigon was stunning. We were on the 52,691 theatre anywhere on the south It was my third time seeing the show 2,707 it is one of the best outside of London. very back row but I was totally engaged by 21,819 coast. Great acoustics wherever and the helicopter was incredible. Went to see the Addams Family. Such a the whole show. What a brilliant cast and likes you are seated. Instagram great show and great cast. Came out singing incredible scenery and effects. I have seen it followers as of 1 April 2018 The press night performance of followers all the songs. Staff are very friendly and before in the West End and this was just as as of 1 April 2018 Mayflower Theatre is by far the most The Band was one of the best as of 1 April 2018 I cannot wait until my next visit. good if not better. Beautifully sung and acted. beautiful theatre I have ever had the nights of working at Mayflower pleasure of visiting. It’s gorgeous Theatre the atmosphere and the whole cast of Miss Saigon was electric. were amazing. The Mayflower Theatre Trust is a charity which receives no direct funding from public bodies.

14 15 Mayflower Theatre ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 Employee of HHHHH Mayflower Theatre Team2017/18 the Year 2017 Russ Charlton, Facilities Assistant

DirectorsHMembersHThe Team

Mr M H Le Bas Mrs P I Claisse Mr J M Hannides Mr C E Lewis Mrs L J Noble Mr R Primmer Chairman Vice Chairman Director Director Director Director

Mayflower 90 launch Box Office

Mr M D Smith Mr N Vaughan Mr S Pantling Mr M D Ockwell Mrs C Jones Mrs I A S Gatward Director Director Director Chief Executive Company Secretary President MEMBERS: Denis Bunday, David Chisnall, Philip Daniells, Stephen Daniells, Alison Farrell, James Gatward Isobel Gatward, Mike Gordon, Gordon Murray-Fisher, Bob Niddrie, Tim Prentki, Mrs Christine Taylor

Nicole Anelli Catherine Coleman Ali Hamilton Neil Kingston Roy Osborne Alex Sousa Jeanette Anelli Ann Collins Robin Hancox Gary Lambert Karen Ovans Cathy Southway Julia Antram Matt Cornell Mike Hann Tom Lambert Holly Overton Hayley Spindler Nagina Anwar Finance Front of House Tim Coultas Sharon Hannah Kim Lange Sue Pake Rachel Stanikk Gemma Avant Fenella Courage John Harper Kate Lawrence Judith Palmer Julie Starkey Alina Bajorunaite James Court-Martin Dan Harris Jess Lee Barry Parker Justyna Stronska Claire Baker Steve Cove Alison Harrison Dusty Lee Sandra Parkinson Sabrina Sumra Angie Barks Sylvianne Crane Dom Hart Harry Lee Laura Parra Cid Magda Surma Charlotte Barnes Aiden Crouch Simon Hart Cassie Leon Kerry Payne Ali Sutton Nicki Barnett Oliver Crump Scott Harvey-Ross Paul Leslie Sam Pearson Robert Szevin Bekki Bartlett David Crumpler Paul Hatchett Amelia Lockey Jan Peirson Charlotte Tanner Grace Bartlett Nikki Cummings Ruth Hill Sarah Lomas William Pickering Paul Thompson Steve Belding Ian Cunningham Matt Hobbins Sian Lowe Naomi Pickett Chris Tibble Tom Bell Lee Curant Mike Holland Sophie Luscombe Matthew Pike Anne Toner Vicky Bell Sam Daniel Dan Holmes Alex MacArthur Sophie Pitman-Kisbee Jen Tonks Dario Bento Huw Davies Doug Holmes Alex Marques Pinto Grace Pledger Sandy Town Orlando Bento Debbie Davies Sarah Hook Sousa Katie Power Steve Turner Hannah Binnington Neil Daykin Daniel Hornsby Hannah Mason Frankie Puchades Josh Utteridge Hannah Bolam Ines Del Hoyo Sarah Houston Rachael Massingham Mark Raggett Barend Venter James Boyd Ed Driver Marek Hudak Ian McInally Geraldine Ramsay Aaron Virdee Rebecca Boyle Rebecca Farrant Gemma Hughes Clare Middleweek Kelly Ruth Rankin Christine Ward Engage Marketing Kerry Brady Tasha Finch Georgie Hughes Margarita Mifsud Mike Redmond Kasia Waters Karen Brett Holly Fletcher Scott Hughes Kris Mihaliczko Jessica Rice John Waterworth Connie Brighton Beth Folan Kevin Hughes Alex Milledge Pauline Richards Julia Weaver Beth Brown Rachel Fox Natasha Ingall Becky Mills John Ridgeon Charmaine West Karla Burlingham Megan Frampton Ben Jacques Charlie Mitchell Charlotte Roberts Barry White Tom Callaghan Amy Frampton Stewart James Richard Morgan Jackie Sayer Leon White Sarah Caplen Jack Freeman Luke James Daryl Morgan Radford Sara Scott Rachel Whitewood Georgia Carr Jackie Freeman Mandy James Claire Morriss Jack Sencherey-Evans Jill Whitewood Gareth Carr Michelle Gath Wayne Jarrett Katie Muncer Mehreen Shah Mike Whitewood Marie Castleman Karen Gaze Steve Jarrett Jackie Munden Joel Shepherd Bob Whiting Viv Challice Chris Gerrard Damian Jayasinghe Charlotte Nelson Vikki Simmons Justin Williamson Chris Chambers Siontai Gordon Valeria Jimenez Arguello Mike Newbold Rebecca Simpson Rosie Wills Jamie Channell Melanie Grace Chris Johnson Jordan Newman Sharon Skeats Kelly Winsor Kerryann Chant May Grafton James Johnson Pat Norrish Kirsten Skinner Carla Winter Russell Charlton Sarah Griffiths Catherine Jones Jasmine Norton Karen Small Patryk Wirenski Maria Chirca Michelle Gunner Tracy Joynes Michael Ockwell Emily Smith Ollie Wiser Ali Churton Neil Gwynne Darrel Kazi Ashleigh Onabajo Don Smith Martyn Woodward Adam Clarke Stephen Hall Andy Kent Jan Onoufriou Ben Smith Lydia Wooldridge-Finch Ovation Technical Rob Clayton Emma Hamilton Ben Kiff Scott Ordish Kate Snow Christopher Worley

16 17 Mayflower Theatre Take That regeneration for the next generation Now and Looking Forward…

Best Company Two Major Projects In February the theatre was named as the 52nd best company to The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies is the annual ranking We are delighted that the two major capital works projects In addition to the theatre’s commitment to enhance the work for in this year’s Sunday Times list of the 100 best not-for- of the cream of Britain’s engaged and motivated workforces. have been completed following a thirteen week closure period. customer experience, an extension to the west side of the profit organisations. It is also the only theatre in the UK to be The lists are widely acknowledged as the most extensive research The newly refurbished auditorium was opened to the public theatre has been built. This will improve connectivity around named in this prestigious list. into employee engagement carried out in this country. The annual on Wednesday 26 September 2018 in a Gala Night of the theatre and provide much needed extra space including survey attracted 798 entries from companies around the UK. entertainment to an invited audience. a new archive room.

The theatre has been completely repainted with a new red and The theatre is grateful to the public, trusts and foundations gold colour scheme. All of the seats in the stalls and circle have who have helped in the fundraising for this project. been removed and replaced with 1,659 brand-new, wider seats This has been a once in a generation level of investment and the balcony seats have been reupholstered. with £7.5 million being spent on the projects. New environmentally-friendly LED lighting has been installed, the orchestra pit has been moved beneath the stage and accessibility This really has been regeneration has been improved, with better facilities for people with disabilities. for the next generation.

No. 52 THE ANNUAL SURVEY ATTRACTED 798 We undertook 2 major capital works projects totalling ENTRIES FROM COMPANIES AROUND THE UK £7.5million

18 19 During this year Mayfower Theatre was kindly sponsored by:

And partnered with:

Mayflower Theatre, Empire Lane Southampton SO15 1AP 02380 711800 [email protected] www.mayflower.org.uk

Mayflower Theatre Trust Reg. No. 2026445 Reg. Charity No. 294745 Mayfower Enterprises Ltd. Reg. Company No. 3193293 Mayfower Productions (Southampton) Ltd. Reg. Company No. 9557913