Chicago (1996)

A Little Night Music (1997)

Into the Woods (2000)

Little Shop of Horrors (2002)

Company (2003)

Trustees Report 2003

TORBAY OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY

(Promotional Name : Toads Stage Musical Company)

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

FINANCIAL YEAR 1.1.03 - 31.12.03

Registered Address : Flat 1, Vaughan House, 4 Lisburne Crescent, Higher Woodfield Rd, Torquay, TQ1 2LA.

Revised Constitution adopted 26/7/1984 and amended at the AGM’s in 1994, 1996 and 1999 and the EGM of November 2003. The object of which is the education of the public in the dramatic and operatic arts, and to further the developments of public appreciation and taste in the said arts. In order to do this the Charity stages theatrical productions and concerts for public viewing, and for the benefit of the members, holds workshops and training sessions when appropriate

The charity retains Barclays bank as its principal bankers, and C.H. Pearson Chartered Accountant as its auditor.

The 2003 Financial year was not as financially successful as 2002, with both productions losing money, but efforts by the trustees to ensure that the losses were kept to a minimum meant that the impact on the accumulated fund of the charity was not as great as it could have been. The major production was “Copacabana” which, due to it’s spectacular nature, proved an expensive proposition and cost £42,137 to stage. Audiences were reasonable, but not quite good enough to avoid a loss of £4,765. The autumn production was “Company” and this was not obvious box office, therefore the trustees cut the number of performances from 9 to 6, thus cutting costs, to ensure that the expected smaller attendance would not impact too much. This plan worked, but while houses were once again reasonable they were not good enough and on costs of £10,528 (which were much lower than the previous year due to very strict budgeting by the trustees) a loss of £2,339 was made.

Once again funds were raised during the year from various events and the Social Account showed a surplus of £545 and the Fighting Fund a surplus of £1371. The annual deficit of the General Running account was transformed into a profit for the first time in many years, showing a surplus of £319. This was due to higher interest income and lower administration costs due to strict control by the committee.

The Trading Result for the year was a deficit of £4,869 and the accumulated fund to carry forward at the year end stood at £23,190.  While this is a downturn on the previous year, the accumulated reserve is still sufficient to ensure that the running of the Charity is not affected in any way. The trustees consider that a major part of the main charitable objective is the presentation of a varied programme of works for the public to enjoy, and this sometimes entails presenting shows that are not obvious box office. The aim is to spread these out among shows that are obvious box office draws which can replenish reserves and hopefully increase them still further. To that end the choice of shows for 2004 are considered to be in the box office category and advance bookings indicate that a surplus on the main show should be forthcoming. There is still a long way to go before the full cost of a major production can be covered by the accumulated fund to ensure a minimum risk, but the trustees are still in a much better position than previously. They clearly understand the need to source income from activities other than productions, which cannot always be relied upon to produce a surplus and efforts with regard to the social and fighting funds continue unabated. They also understand the need for strict control of costs to ensure that any production losses (which are sometimes unavoidable) are kept to a minimum.

During the year the Charity was administered by a committee of 9 trustees. These were Mrs. J. Macer (Chairman) ; Mr. I. Douglas (Hon. Secretary) ; Miss. E. Gard (Hon. Treasurer) ; Mrs. M. Green ; Mr. C. Hawes ; Mrs. F. Humphreys ;  Mrs. A. Jenkins ; Mr. M. Opie ; and  Mrs. J. Stewart. This team of trustees was appointed for the entire year and there were no resignations or new appointments during the year. The constitution of the Charity stipulates that there should be 9 trustees, which should include the 3 officials of the Charity (Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer). No trustee was paid for any services to the Charity, All 9 trustees are elected annually at the AGM of the Charity, and the membership is entitled to propose new trustees (who must be seconded). The three officials are proposed separately. Should there be more than the required numbers proposed, a vote takes place at the AGM. If any position is left vacant at the AGM, the trustees are given the power to co-opt any person willing to take on the position and who is, in their opinion, capable of carrying out the duties of a trustee.

An EGM was held in November 2003, the sole aim of which was to change Rule 1 of the Charity. As a result the promotional name was changed from TOADS OPERATIC to TOADS STAGE MUSICAL COMPANY as the trustees felt that the new title better illustrated the operations of the Charity.

There were 93 members and 30 Vice Presidents who all paid an annual subscription. Those involved in productions paid an appearance fee. No member was paid for services to the Charity and about 50 of the members were active in connection with raising funds, and about 60 were active in connection with the charitable objective of the Charity which is to educate the public in the dramatic and operatic arts.

I.H. DOUGLAS (TRUSTEE AND CHARITY ADDRESSEE)