Nomad Theatre annual report for 2003

After much discussion we have embarked on a programme of improvements to the theatre. The flat roof on the Rehearsal and Green Room has been renewed and these rooms re-decorated. We have also replaced the heating system, which apart from keeping the audience warm, also means the bar staff have access to hot water. The bar area is also about to be decorated. The cost of this work amounted to nearly £6,000 which was met from our reserves. As a Society we have always tried to budget for a profit each year. As a result over the years we have accumulated a reasonable reserve to meet just such commitments.

We continued our policy of entering One Act Drama Festivals and again met with success at Richmond. This was an interesting experience, as we had to act on a thrust stage rather than our proscenium arch. With only one hour of rehearsal permitted it was an interesting challenge having to change many of the moves. The prompt found it particularly challenging, as she could not see the actors.

Last year we were concerned about the effects of the opening of the City's 510 seat Gala Theatre. That theatre has been beset by numerous financial and organisational problems. They now appear to have virtually given up on drama and concentrating on using it as a concert and one night performance venue. Fortunately our audience remained very loyal and the average capacity was only slightly reduced at 84% (last year 88%).

We are now considering a number of new initiatives to boost audience numbers. We are now planning our 75th Anniversary Season for 2004, which will be a programme of revivals of past productions last seen over 10 years ago. In addition, we will be producing a souvenir booklet covering the history of the society, plus comments from producers. In July we are holding a "Floral and Costume extravaganza". This is being funded by a sponsorship drive which has already yielded £1250.