21 July 2023

Amanda Farr, Chair of the Board of Trustees, gave a brief history of the award-winning production house, which celebrates its 60th year in its current location this year. The theatre is more unusual than traditional theatres that hire out their stage for production. The Playhouse makes and produces its own work and is reviewed nationally, not just locally. It really puts Nottingham on the map and is an important part of our local economy.

Nottingham Playhouse is supported by Lottery funding, Arts Council England, and Nottingham City Council, as well as being a registered charity that participates with the local community through more than 60 programmes.

Head of Participation, Martin Berry, gave us an insight into some of these. He said, “We leave no one alone. All abilities, all ages, we come to you.” The theatre's wide-reaching participation programmes are helping to create life-changing experiences for our local communities, from classes and courses to workshops. Programmes include, children and young people, careers and training, adults and community, older people, schools, colleges and universities and its latest initiative, its own Business Club, offering events, space hire and more.

Joanne Sigsworth, Director of Marketing Communications, talked us through what Nottingham Playhouse means for our great city. She said its, “Creating wonder in Nottingham.” This has involved creating a business model that “makes the theatre work.” This is achieved, Joanna noted, by investing in emerging artists, investing in training, maintaining a strong staff team, delivering on equality, diversity, and inclusion, and generating 30% of its income from grants and subsidies. The rest comes from a combination of ticket sales, tours, space hire, presented programmes of work - drama, comedy, music, and dance - sponsorship, patrons, donors, bars, and sweets.

Find out more here.