royalexchangetheatre

2008/2009

The Theatre is a seven-sided, glass-walled capsule, literally suspendedfrom the huge marble pillars of the Victorian Cotton Exchange. Thedesign means that none of the 760 seats are more than nine metresfrom the circular stage, with seats placed all around the auditorium,giving views from all angles. In the Theatre, the Royal Exchange TheatreCompany produces all our own work for 48 weeks of the year, thismakes us unique outside the National Companies.

The Studio, our 90 seat space, transforms for every show, with walls andpartitions that slide and seating that moves to fit the set design. Theseats are unreserved and you can take your drinks into the relaxedatmosphere of the auditorium. The Studio is a space where wecommission and produce new work and new ideas; we support andencourage groundbreaking participation from all ages and all groups;we develop and collaborate with the next generation of theatre makers.

Discover spaces where anything can happen…

IN THE THEATRE… 261,496 people attended 493performances of 14 productions. We sold 76% of all seats

IN THE STUDIO… 16,303 people attended 229 performances of 32 productions. We sold 79% of all seats

IN THE GREAT HALL AND BEYOND… 350,000 people came into the building to view the exhibitions,shop in the Craft Shop, eat and drink in The Round and Bar Exchange, as well as just look round the historic building.

6,512 individual participants took part in 38 projects and 709 individual workshops led by Exchange Education.

7,000 people came to see 63 performances of Special FX, our Fridayearly evening FREE entertainment

During this period, we presented 6 world premieres.

Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH Box Office: 0161 833 9833 Administration: 0161 833 9333 royalexchange.co.uk Registered Charity No. 255424

Welcome from the Chair of the Board

The Royal Exchange Theatre is a central part of the creativelife of Manchester and the past period has been exceptionalin terms of our theatre productions and the extensiveprogramme of additional activities.

As a large artistic institution, we can only survive because ofthe combination of Box Office income and public and privatesector funding. I wish to send my personal gratitude to allthose who have supported us and continue to do so. I thankyou unreservedly. Your support enables us to sustain ourvariety of repertoire and fulfil our artistic ambitions.

Paul Lee

Welcome from the Artistic Directors

Our Company’s foundation is a unique theatre spacecreated over 30 years ago by a group of artists whoshared a belief in the power and purpose of theatreand how it should be experienced by the public. Overthe years, we have evolved and changed dramatically.This recent period shows what we are about in a vividfashion. From the plays we have produced to all thediverse events that now take place in our building, weare proud of the quality and aspiration of the work weare doing. We want our building to be a place ofimaginative pleasures that enhance and illuminate thelives we lead.

We hope this review is informative and helpful inshowing our artistic vision.

Board of Directors during 2008/2009:

Carol ArdittiPeter Folkman Tony GordonMike Hutchins Joyce HytnerCllr James KingCllr David LancasterPaul Lee David McKeith Jean OglesbyCllr William RisbyCaroline Roberts-CherryGeoffrey Shindler OBECllr Keith Whitmore 

“In these trying times we live in, all that we have to cling to is – each other…”

IN THE THEATRE…

The Glass Menagerie By Tennessee Williams

This memory masterpiece, written in 1943, conjured up an American family in all its glory and desperation.

“An impeccable production”★★★★ The Sunday Times

cast: Mark Arends, Brenda Blethyn, Emma Hamilton, AndrewLangtree | director: Braham Murray, designer: Simon Higlett,lighting: Johanna Town, sound: Pete Rice, music: Akintayo Akinbode

The Manchester run of THE GLASS MENAGERIE included a fund-raising Gala performance supported by Cheshire Life, The MidlandHotel, Manchester, Eventures and JW Lees. The gala raised £15,000.

The production toured nationally in Autumn 2008.

IN THE STUDIO…

The Royal Exchange’s Young People’s Theatre Group presents

The Golden MileThese three performances marked the outcome of a seven monthdevelopmental project with 30 young people aged 14 – 18. The series of interweaving stories, all beginning on the evening theBlackpool illuminations were switched on, were written, performedand operated by members of the group, with mentoring from Royal Exchange lighting, sound, stage management and designprofessionals.

ALSO IN THE STUDIO…Sophie Woolley on tour with WHEN TO RUN uniquely included live captioning for the deaf. Sophie’s show was a “witty idea, wellexecuted” The Independent. Chris Marshall won the Writers’Exchange Play of the Year for her play THREE SHEETS whichreceived a performance in The Studio directed by Rania Jumaily.This play went on to have a production at the Lowry in summer2009. WRITERS’ EXCHANGE, a free group for local writers, metregularly at the theatre to develop and discuss work.

IN THE GREAT HALL…SPECIAL FX included Indian dance from talented young artists,Deepa & Ganesh.

2008 april

“Who e’er knew Murder unpaid”

IN THE THEATRE

The Revenger’s TragedyThis 17th century tale of revenge showing a corrupt, decadent societytearing itself apart was our first Jacobean production for twenty fiveyears.

“a brilliantly anarchic undercurrent – wickedly funny”★★★★ The Independent

cast: Robert Demeger, Jonathan Keeble, Stephen Hudson, Merryn Owen,Sam Fletcher, Mikey North, John Gillet, Marc Parry, Stephen Tompkinson,Damien O’Hare, Drew Horner, Corinna Powlesland, Eileen O’Brien,Stephanie Brittain | director: Jonathan Moore, designer: David Blight,lighting: Vince Herbert, sound: Steve Brown, dance: Mark Bruce, fights:Renny Krupinski

IN THE GREAT HALL…The Craft Shop hosted the first of two Donald Hamilton Fraser soloexhibitions – a great coup for a small gallery space!

ALSO IN THE THEATRE…78 students from Heaton Special School, Pendleton College

and Levenshulme High School presented the outcome of the Guernica project – exploring non-verbal forms of theatrical

communication and used fragments of poetry and quotations to explore non-naturalistic performance.

“Challenging and dynamic… this project pushed mystudents to create valuable work”

IN THE STUDIO…Laffa Jaffa Productions Ltd presented THE SOLOMON SISTERS – anevening of Yiddish Cabaret with “real stage presence” The Times. Coalpresented NOT WITH THAT HAND - a dark and disturbing tale shotthrough with unsettling humour. Unlimited Theatre in a co-productionwith Oxford Playhouse & Leeds Met Studio presented THE ETHICS OFPROGRESS - a jargon-free, whistle-stop tour of leading edge QuantumPhysics. The Royal Exchange’s Refugee Theatre Company presentedSCARED – a response to the Refugee Action Campaign on Destitution.THIS SMALL THING by Heather Johnson received a rehearsed reading inThe Studio with actors Emma Hamilton and Ian Aspinall. Heather waschosen from the group of young writers studying our WRITING FORPERFORMANCE course run for Manchester University.

IN THE GREAT HALL…Special FX highlights included a QueerUpNorth performance by Othonand Ernesto, with their startlingly beautiful falsetto songs, skirting thefrontiers of opera, punk and vaudeville.

2008 may

“I’ve trained them well. For aperfect world.How will theysurvive this one?”

IN THE STUDIO…

Dr Korczak’s Example by David Greig

Recounting the last days of Dr Korczak’s experimental orphanage inthe Warsaw Ghetto, this remarkable show for children captured theimaginations of all ages and won the MEN Theatre Award for BestStudio Production.

“Challenging, inventive and intelligent theatre”★★★★ The Guardian

cast: Philip Rham, Craig Vye, Alexandra Maher | director: AmyLeach, designer: Miriam Nabarro, lighting: Richard Owen, sound:Gerry Marsden

Supported by Royal Mail

90 participants took part in two pre-show workshops and ten teachers attended a Creative Professional

Development session in support of DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE

First Bite Theatre Group presented A WORLD OF OUR OWN, where 31 young people aged

11– 14, inspired by themes from DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE, imagined what might happen if there were no adults in the world.

ALSO IN THE STUDIO…Exchange Education presented YOU ARE HERE With contributions from over 80 individuals and 14 wide-ranginggroups, this interactive installation and exhibition, curated bytheatre designer Liz Ascroft, ran over two days and was attended by 581 visitors. The exhibition consisted of a number of schooldesks containing memories and artefacts, set in The Studio withthe echoes of school playgrounds.

IN THE GREAT HALL…Special FX included music from Momodou Lamin Jobarteh ‘JALLY’from The Gambia - acoustic rhythms & beats on the Kora and theDjembe.

2008 june

“Do you suppose they know they're mad?”...

IN THE THEATRE…

Hay Fever by Noël Coward

Noël Coward’s madcap 1925 country house comedy classic proved asummer treat for our audiences.

“Scintillatingly funny – couldn’t be bettered”★★★★ Sunday Express

cast: Lysette Anthony, Tessa Bell-Briggs, Simon Bubb, Fiona Button,Ben Keaton, Belinda Lang, Dorothea Myer-Bennett, Chris New,Simon Treves | director: Greg Hersov, designer: Ashley Martin-Davies, lighting designer: Chris Davey, sound: Steve Brown

IN THE STUDIO…

BLUE 6The sixth annual showcase of work from new and establishedartists based in the North West, BLUE has consistently providedvaluable technical, marketing and producing support for newideas. Many early samples of work have gone on to receive fullproductions in The Studio and other venues in the region and totour nationally.

IN THE GREAT HALL…William Ellis’ exquisite black and white Jazz Photography in the

Craft Shop coincided with the Manchester Jazz Festival

ALSO IN THE STUDIO…Exchange Education presented LOST LETTERS, a CommunityPartnerships’ project which ran in partnership with The BoothCentre (drop in centre for the homeless) and Landridge House (day centre for adults with learning disabilities).

ALSO IN THE GREAT HALL…To add to the summer fun, Dr Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Bandbrought their toe-tapping reels and tunes to a Friday evening aspart of Special FX.

2008 july

…"No; people never do"

IN THE THEATRE …

Hay Fever extended into August

IN THE GREAT HALL…

A regular performer for Special FX, ARUN GHOSH brought an Indianflavour to his jazz set to end a hugely successful year for the seriesof events.

The Mezzanine Gallery opened with an exhibition of photographsfrom the Prague Quadrennial, the prestigious theatre designfestival in which the Exchange played a big part when Steve Brown,our Head of Sound, curated in 2007.

Meanwhile, the new Craft Shop Gallery Corner hosted limitededition prints from Sir Peter Blake.

ALSO IN THE GREAT HALL…

The Education LoungeThe Education Lounge was prepared for opening in September. The space, with its talking chair, comfy sofa, coffee table, hauntedtelephones and a TV/DVD, was designed to provide a meetingpoint, exhibition space and workshop stimulus for schools, colleges,community groups, individuals and members of the public.Throughout 2008/09 this space was used by 1,441 direct users, with an uncountable number of casual visitors who also dropped in each day.

We would like to thank D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, HBOS Lex Leasing, The JohnLewis Partnership and N Smith Charitable Settlement for making this possible.

IN THE STUDIO…Exchange Education ran a series of holiday workshops for youngpeople aged 5 – 14. The Play In A Week for 8s – 11s took ‘explorers’ asits theme, and their devised play, THE SEARCH FOR THE HIDDENVALLEY was performed to an invited audience of 67 parents and carers in The Studio. Sessions were also led for 11s – 14s (40 participants) and 5s – 7s (30 participants).

2008 august

“I woke up this morning, I saw the light flooding in, I saw the spring, andI felt such a great surge of joy, such a passionate longing for home.”

IN THE THEATRE…

Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov, translated by Michael Frayn

Chekhov’s revolutionary, heart-breaking and poignant masterpiecetold the story of a family yearning to return to Moscow in 1901.

“a powerful and compassionate production, never lessthan gripping, beautifully paced by the actors andpresented with striking clarity” ★★★★ The Independent

cast: Tim Barlow, Lucy Black, Mark Bonnar, Howard Charles,Christopher Colquhoun, Beth Cooke, Emma Cunniffe, MichaelElwyn, Polly Findlay, Ann Firbank, Joseph Kloska, Laurence Mitchell,Roger Morlidge | director: Sarah Frankcom, designer: Liz Ascroft,lighting: Chahine Yavroyan, sound: Pete Rice and Claire Windsor,music: Jamie Norton

IN THE STUDIO…

You Can See The Hills“I look at the pictures of James Dean on my wall and I reckon Iknow maybe I mean he died young and if he had come back I meanwhy not me?” This powerful one-man show told the story of a boygrowing up in Oldham. It transferred to the Young Vic and returnedthere in 2009,

“Subtle and deeply moving” ★★★★★ WhatsOnStage.com

cast: William Ash | director: Matthew Dunster, designer: AnnaFleischle, lighting: Emma Chapman, sound: Gerry Marsden

Studio Season sponsored by William Hare

IN THE GREAT HALL…Special FX opened with a remarkable piece, never to be

repeated – free running on the module

EXCHANGE EDUCATION…STORY TO STAGE 9 adult participants took part in ExchangeEducation’s mini project on adaptation and playwriting. It ran over three evenings and focused on a selection of Chekhov’s shortstories and on the relationships between story and drama. The finalsession took the form of a rehearsed reading and discussion ofscenes submitted by the participants.

ALSO IN THE STUDIO…Fittings Multimedia Arts presented DANNY DIVA - the story of adeaf drag queen who loves to sing, inspired by the life of legendaryBlooLips performer Diva Dan.

2008 september

“An enemy is still an enemy.Dead or alive.”“No, I was born with love enoughTo share: no hate for anyone.”

IN THE THEATRE…

Antigone by Sophocles, translated by Don Taylor

Sophocles’ monumental tragedy about the struggle of theindividual conscience against the laws of the state was as aliveand relevant to today’s audiences as it was 2500 years ago.

“Shows how modern-dress Greek tragedy should bedone… a knockout production” ★★★★★ The Daily Mail

cast: Ben Addis, Nicholas Cass-Beggs, Claire Cordier, ByssheHarkavy, Matti Houghton, Jonathan Keeble, Alexandra Mathie,Jospeh Merino, Ian Redford, Andrew Sheridan, John Watts |director: Greg Hersov, designer: Laurie Dennett, lighting: RobertBryan, sound: Steve Brown, composer: Arun Ghosh

Sponsored by Manchester Airport

IN THE STUDIO…

The Endurance presented by Al Seed and Ben Faulks

The Studio supports this re-working of THE ENDURANCE into aunique and distinctive one -man show performed by MEN Awardwinning Ben Faulks. This is the first in a series of extended runs inThe Studio from distinctive artists based in the region.

IN THE GREAT HALL…Hester Dennett’s jagged landscapes and unusual sculpturescomplemented ANTIGONE on the Mezzanine Gallery. Special FXfused the Manchester Comedy Festival and the Literature Festivalwith an evening of comic poetry from Dominic Berry and JulianDaniel

2008 october

“We’re unique!” “Young!” “Unrivalled!” “Smashing!” “We’re bloody marvellous!”

IN THE THEATRE …

A Taste Of HoneyBy Shelagh Delaney

Our 50th Anniversary celebration of Shelagh Delaney’s iconicNorthern play attracted capacity sell-out audiences.

“joyfully unconventional”The Guardian

cast: Adam Gillen, Sally Lindsay, Marcel McCalla, Jodie McNee, Paul Popplewell | director: Jo Combes, designer: Ben Stones,lighting: David Holmes, sound: Gerry Marsden, dj: Jon Winstanley

IN THE STUDIO…

Correspondence presented by Menagerie

Fresh from success at the Edinburgh Festival, this was a treat and a delight. LUKE WRIGHT, POET & MAN - 2007 4Talent Awardwinner is one of the UK’s leading stand-up poets and sold out in The Studio. Momentum presented ANIMA - physical theatre at its most stunning, from this talented dance company.

In the Great Hall…John Bulmer’s remarkable images of Manchester in the 1970s

perfectly complemented the Manchester on stage.

ALSO IN THE GREAT HALL …Ben Faulks’ weird and wonderful Vegetable Nanny introduced families to the joy of Special FX.

2008 november

“I assure you I am in complete possession of all my faculties and – forgive my saying so – I am beginning

to think I am the only person in the house who is …”

IN THE THEATRE …

See How They RunBy Philip King

Chaos, confusion and calamity reigned in the vicarage ofMiddleton-cum-Middlewick in this 1942 classic wartime farce.

“enjoyably madcap”★★★★ The Times

cast: Arthur Bostrom, John Branwell, Nick Caldecott, Mark Edel-Hunt, Chris Harper, Alexandra Mathie, Kate O’Flynn, Laura Rogers,Hugh Sachs | director: Sarah Frankcom, designer: Paul Wills,lighting: David Holmes, sound: Steve Brown

IN THE STUDIO…THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES

A heartwarming and poignant tale for all the family told with the unforgettable contribution

from the most popular canine to visit the Theatre. The show is now an international cult favourite..

ALSO IN THE STUDIO…

The Common People presented by Exchange Education

Act One, Exchange Education’s devising and performance group for 16 – 21 year olds, used ANTIGONE as a starting point to explorecontemporary meanings and practical interpretations of Greek Chorus. Following workshops with Greg Hersov and several freelance specialist practitioners, they presented THECOMMON PEOPLE over two nights to an audience of 170.“I feel I have achieved a brilliant piece of theatre that I am proud to have been part of. I’ve got a brand new outlook on Theatre.”

IN THE GREAT HALL …To celebrate the festive season Special FX introduced the CouplandBrass Quintet with carols and Christmas tunes, followed by VociDolci doing their vocal versions of the same.

2008 december

“Sometimes I think the longer people are together the less they know each other.”

IN THE THEATRE …

True Love LiesBy Brad Fraser

The World Premiere of Brad Fraser’s dark comedy about adysfunctional family proved his most successful yet in a long line of collaborations with the Exchange.

“a sharp, sassy new play … the cast, uniformlyexcellent…deliver moments of raw, affecting anguish”★★★★ The Daily Telegraph

cast: Teresa Banham, Oliver Gomm, Amy Beth Hayes, John Kirk,Jonny Phillips | director: braham murray, designer: Johanna Bryant,lighting: Richard Owen, sound: Steve Brown

During TRUE LOVE LIES, the Stage Management team used 400pancakes, 240 turkey bacon rashers, 1600 okra, 160 carrots, 40kgtinned tomatoes, 7 kg chickpeas, 20 kg sweet and sour sauce, 20 kgpasta sauce, 15 kg pancake mix, 80 litres sparkling water, 20 jarsraspberry jam, 60 bags frozen vegetables, 15kg rice, 10kg pennepasta, 4 cans of squirty cream, 40 Uncle Bens instant risottos, 10kgfresh pasta, 7 litres blackcurrant squash, 5 litres lemon squash, 300metres tin foil, 5 litres washing up liquid, 40 washing-up sponges, 3 litres oil, 20 tins pineapple chunks, 40 glacé cherries, 10 limes anda combined total of 300 hours in our little kitchen!!

IN THE STUDIO…

Up On The Roof presented by Exchange Education

A Community Partnerships’ project with Salford Drug and Alcohol Forum and a Guide Bridge group for adults with mentalhealth needs. This was accompanied by a research investigationinto the benefits of the creative process with individuals andgroups who have alcohol and drug dependency issues.“I loved the performance. It kept my interest the whole time! I was on the edge of my seat – I loved the singing and movement.And I really enjoyed hearing the personal stories. I’m so glad I gotto come.”

IN THE GREAT HALL …COMIC FX began a successful series – the first Friday of everymonth – of Stand-Up comedy, with audiences averaging 150 each time.

Brad Fraser presented a selection of his own photography: “I write,draw and shoot photos the way I do because that’s the way I seethe world”

2009 january

"And when there is finally peace, Fahdil will come again and we will fly together, we will fly through the crowns of the Nakhla and into the arms of Allah."

IN THE STUDIO…

Palace Of The EndBy Judith Thompson 

Powerful, hard-hitting and intense, this series of three monologues wasa remarkable piece of theatre, looking at the most important events inour recent history in an unflinching, passionate and poetic way.

“Thompson’s triptych combines the most penetratingimages of the Iraq War … close to perfection.” ★★★★★ The Guardian

PALACE OF THE END went on to the Galway Festival in July and spent a month at the Traverse for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

cast: Kellie Bright, Robert Demeger, Eve Polycarpou | director: GregHersov, designer: Miriam Nabarro, lighting: Richard Owen, sound: ClaireWindsor

Studio Season sponsored by William Hare

Acting for Scared People22 adults ranging in age from 23 to 71, assembled for an ExchangeEducation project aimed at adults with no acting experience, with aninterest in learning about some of the processes behind performance.“This was great! It wasn’t too challenging for scared people (me!), andgave me enough time to get to know people, as well as an amazingrange of information and insight.”

The Missing StoriesInspired by Reinhardt Jung’s novel, ‘Bambert’s Book of Missing Stories’,our Young People's Theatre Workshop for 14s – 19s worked together as a genuine ensemble of young performers and makers, to create theirown theatre piece in a professional environment, performed in March.Supported by theatre practitioners from a range of disciplines, theyused the novel to explore the different ways a story can unfold on stage– how it can be told using images, movement, sound, light or objects. “Ihave learnt so much from this experience. It has really broadened myknowledge about what it would be like to work in a theatre and all theopportunities there are when it comes to design – it has also helped mein choosing my uni course!”

IN THE GREAT HALL …An exhibition of jewellery made from recycled materials in the CraftShop Gallery Corner.

Local Turkish performer Paula Darwish played an acoustic set withTexan backing, as part of Special FX.

2009 february

“Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires.”

IN THE THEATRE …

Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s great tragedy was brought bang up to date in a startling production thatliterally transformed the whole theatre structure.

“…powerful, remarkably brave and highly original. ” ★★★★★ What’s On Stage

cast: Vincent Bernard, Rebecca Callard, Christopher Colquhoun, Anna Crump Raiswell,Jason Done, Shannon Flynn, Nicholas Gleaves, Tom Glynn-Whitehead, Robert Gwilym,Alexandra Kenyon, Hilary Maclean, John Macmillan, Heather Peace, Niamh Quinn,Matthew Randell, Jake Richardson, John Stahl, Leigh Symonds, Chinna Wodu | director:matthew dunster, designer: Paul Wills, lighting: Philip Gladwell, sound: Ian Dickinson

The Royal Exchange won the opportunity to be part of A Night Less Ordinary, the ArtsCouncil England initiative to give away tickets to under 26s. With three strands, thetheatre took the opportunity to build new audiences and create a package to get youngpeople more involved.

IN THE STUDIO…

The Search Party: Young Muslim Playwriting Project presented by Exchange Education

Following taster workshops and one to one sessions with 221 young Muslim playwrightsaged 16 – 25, 90 scenes and 19 scripts were produced. From these, 10 were selected for performance at rehearsed readings with professional actors over 2 evenings.“I have been allowed to explore my imagination and show my talents and feelingsthrough writing. It has allowed me to show my individuality. Seeing my piece performedby professional actors was very inspiring, proving to me that I can do anything I set mymind to.”

ALSO IN THE STUDIO …Lost Dog Theatre Company presented LOVE IN (3) PARTS - the quirky story of a love affairfrom first date to the end told through video, music and song. Coal in association withthe Royal Exchange Theatre presented THE FRAGILITY OF X – a touching story of onewoman and her teenage son, unblinkingly sentimental, funny and provocative.Exchange Education presented GO AWAY AND THINK ABOUT IT in partnership with theBooth Centre – a drop-in centre for the homeless.

IN THE GREAT HALL …Actor, singer and musician Kieran Cunningham helped the Exchange celebrate the IrishFestival with a sing-along Special FX.

The Mezzanine Gallery hosted the hosted the first of a number of exhibitions on loanfrom the Victoria & Albert Museum. This one was Reg Wilson’s CAPTURING THEMOMENT, 40 years of performing arts photos.

17 pupils presented BOTTLE! in the Education Lounge – the outcome of a drama, film andwriting project exploring attitudes to alcohol.Supported by The Co-operative

2009 march

“Ah, my dear fellow, the love of money is the root of all evil”“Yes, sir; and we’d all like to have the tree growing in our garden.”

IN THE THEATRE …

Widowers’ HousesBy Bernard Shaw

In these uncertain times with much discussion of money matters, it seemed right to revive George Bernard Shaw’s sparkling stagedebut, first performed in 1892.

“an unmissable reminder of why Shaw matters”★★★★★ Daily Telegraph

cast: Ben Addis, Ian Bartholomew, Lucy Briggs-Owen, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Ian Shaw, Vanessa-Faye Stanley | director: Greg Hersov,designer: Ashley Martin-Davis, lighting David Holmes, sound: Steve Brown

IN THE STUDIO…

Clockheart Boy presented by Dumbshow

Suitable for ages 8+, the story of a boy washed ashore and theProfessor’s determination to bring him back to life was presentedin a highly visual and physical production from newly emergingcompany Dumbshow.

ALSO IN THE STUDIO …Melanie Wilson presented SIMPLE GIRL. This idiosyncratic heroinetold her one-woman encounter with herself.

IN THE GREAT HALL …This month’s COMIC FX celebrated International Women’s Day with a line-up of female comics. The second V&A exhibition was an unusual collection of black and white Cartes de Visite from theGuy Little Collection.

2009 april

“With so much gone … What’s left Mr. Berry, what’s left?”

IN THE THEATRE …

Haunted By Edna O’Brien

The World Premiere of renowned writer Edna O’Brien’s story of a manhaunted by the memory of two women.

“a beguiling memory play of subtle and elusive beauty…wondrous performances” ★★★★ The Guardian

cast: Brenda Blethyn, Niall Buggy, Beth Cooke | director: Braham Murray,designer: Simon Higlett, lighting designer: Johanna Town, sound designer:Pete Rice, composer: Akintayo Akinbode, fight director: Renny Krupinski

HAUNTED marked our 125th premiere in our thirty year history of producingnew plays, versions and adaptations. In 2010, it will undertake a national tour,prior to a West End run.

IN THE STUDIO…

Little Leap ForwardA creative partnership between Horse + Bamboo, the Royal Exchange and Barefoot Books.

This World Premiere for ages 8+ saw the Exchange collaborating with award-winning Horse + Bamboo in a bewitching combination of puppetry, live mask,shadow play and haunting music. LITTLE LEAP FORWARD told the trueboyhood story of acclaimed flautist Guo Yue's experiences during thegathering clouds of Communist China's Cultural Revolution in the mid 1960s.The production enjoyed a sell out run in The Studio before embarking on anational tour.

“a lovely maverick show” ★★★★ The Guardian

cast: Nicky Fearn, Frances Merriman, Jonny Quick, Mark Whitaker | writer,director, puppets & masks: Alison Duddle, artistic director: Bob Frith, setdesign, u-v puppets & film: Bob Frith, musical director: Loz Kaye, animation:Steff Lee, lighting design: Richard Owen & Jonny Quick

ALSO IN THE STUDIO…

Blue Black Sister Presented by The Kunda Sisters

Starting life in Blue, our annual showcase of new work, the Royal Exchangesupported a fuller production of this multimedia presentation combiningspoken word, music and film. Tutti frutti presented IF ONLY THE LONELY WEREHOME. 4 – 7 year olds loved this magical play of loss, loneliness and love.Starving Artists presented EAT ME - the Exchange collaborated withQueerUpNorth to bring the ever-popular Godfrey Hamilton and Mark Pinkoshback to The Studio.

IN THE GREAT HALL…In celebration of Edna O’Brien’s Irish premiere, Young Gifted and Greenprovided the Mezzanine Gallery exhibition and Special FX.

2009 may

IN THE THEATRE … AND IN THE STUDIO

The Exchange gave over both spaces to recount two true stories ofsuffering - celebrating the strength of character and resilience of thosecaught in the Warsaw Ghetto.

In the Theatre, the hit of the 2007 Manchester International Festival andwinner of the MEN Award for special entertainment 2008 was the story ofa man hiding in the Ghetto, told through storytelling and piano from aworld renowned concert pianist. Alongside this was the MEN award-winning production which first played in The Studio in June 2008.

The PianistBased on the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman | directed by: Neil Bartlett,performed by: Peter Guinness & Mikhail Rudy, conceived by: Mikhail Rudy,lighting designer: Chris Davey, sound designers: Matt Wand & Pete Rice

Supported by City Inn, Manchester

Dr Korczak’s Examplecast: Philip Rham, Craig Vye, Amaka Okafor | directer: Amy Leach,designer: Miriam Nabarro, lighting: Richard Owen, sound: Gerry Marsden

DR KORCZAK transferred to the London’s Arcola Theatre for a sell-out run.

DR KORCZAK recycled the following: Sunflower bases reused fromCYRANO DE BERGERAC, oak plank floor from ROOTS, carpet used as a basefor the dirt/mud texture from A CONVERSATION, planks from THE FLAGSdecking, steel triangle inlaid centre stage from MARTIN YESTERDAY, tenyears ago.

Supported by Beaverbrooks the Jewellers, The Eventhall Family Charitable Trust, Stephen Poster,The Steinberg Charitable Trust, Joy and Laura Wolfe.

IN THE GREAT HALL…Members of the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Refugee Theatre Company tooktheir piece, YOU AND ME (a light hearted look at relationships, love and loss and mistaken identities) to Bolton Octagon.

To complement the themes of THE PIANIST, the Mezzanine Gallery hostedan exhibition of canvases inspired by the music of Chopin, whilst SpecialFX introduced The Deli Babies, playing Klezmer – Jewish wedding music.

ALSO IN THE STUDIO…The Royal Exchange’s First Bite Theatre Group for 11s – 14s presented THEFREEDOM BIRD, inspired by themes from LITTLE LEAP FORWARD and DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE.

2009 june

“You have to ask yourself … haven’t you love?Hope – does it have a number?”

IN THE THEATRE …A Royal Exchange Theatre / Manchester International Festival co-production

Everybody Loves A WinnerCreated by Neil Bartlett, Simon Deacon and Struan Leslie

The Royal Exchange Theatre was turned into a working Bingo Hall,where sell-out audiences reached into the minds of the players andplayed Bingo for real cash prizes!

“funny, touching atmospheric…superbly observed”★★★★ The Times

cast: Emily Alexander, Sally Bankes, Judith Barker, Anita Booth, Paul-Ryan Carberry, Patti Clare, Nicky Goldie, Emma Hartley-Miller,Amanda Henderson, Liz Hume-Dawson, Joan Kempson, SallyLindsay, Sue McCormick, Sherry Ormerod, Ian Puleston-Davies,Eamonn Riley, Warren Sollars, Susan Twist, Sue Wallace, Flo Wilson |writer and director: Neil Bartlett, music director: Simon Deacon,movement director: Struan Leslie, designer: Miriam Buether,lighting designer: Chris Davey, sound designer: Steve Brown, dialect coach: Charmian Hoare

IN THE STUDIO…

0.0008Presented by the Royal Exchange Theatre and Weeding Cane

“How many times a day are you remembered, do you think? What do people recall about you? Are they right? Does it matter?”

A remarkable and atmospheric encounter with Sonia Hughes,comparing our daily lives with the vastness of the universe . This innovative production started life as an extract in BLUE during July 2008.

“a sincere and warm-hearted attempt to get usthinking about some of the more fundamentalquestions in life” Metro

IN THE GREAT HALL…The Exchange celebrated the Not Part Of Festival, Manchester’sFestival Fringe, with COMIC FX and Litmus Strings, a string quartetwho composed their own classical arrangements of Manchesterpop songs.

Special FX received two Not Part Of Awards for these performances.

2009 july

The Bruntwood

The Bruntwood Playwriting Competition for the Royal Exchange is thebiggest national competition for playwrights. We search for the nextgeneration of playwrights and anyone over 18 can enter anonymously. We award prizes from a £40,000 prize fund and since 2005 we havereceived over 3000 plays. We launched this year’s competition in March 2008…

The prestigious judging panel was chaired by actor and director Richard Wilson and included actress Brenda Blethyn, actor MichaelSheen, film director Roger Michell, playwright Roy Williams, RoyalExchange Artistic Director Greg Hersov and Chairman of BruntwoodMichael Oglesby DL LLD DSc

“We launched this competition with the aim of discoveringand encouraging new writing talent and we’ve beenoverwhelmed by the quality of the work submitted. As akeen supporter of the arts we are delighted to haveunlocked so much writing talent through Bruntwood’ssponsorship of the Royal Exchange Theatre.”Michael Oglesby – Judge and Chairman of Bruntwood

May 2008 Richard Wilson makes a final call to arms for female writers– submissions go up from 10 % to 38% from women writers.

13 June 2008 Deadline for submissions. We were inundated in the lastmonth with scripts. 40% of our entries were from first time writers.

June to August 2008 Over 1200 scripts were sent out to readers,reported on, longlisted and shortlisted and we didn’t lose any in the post!

October 2008 The judges assembled in an old courthouse in Londonto decide the winners of The Bruntwood. Over afternoon tea theypassionately discussed the shortlist and made decisions that wouldchange people’s lives.

November 2008 The Bruntwood Awards Ceremony named NaylahAhmed, Vivienne Franzman, Fiona Peek, and Andy Sheridan as thewinners of £10,000 each. They are all first time writers. The ceremonywas hosted by actress and comedian Jan Ravens.

January 2009 The dramaturgical process started with the writers andthey began to redraft their plays with a view to production at the RoyalExchange.

May 2009 SALT is the first Bruntwood Award-winner to beprogrammed in The Studio.

Throughout the Year…

Nurturing new talent is an important part of the Royal Exchange Theatre’swork and we have ambitious plans for the future which we need continualsupport to achieve. William Hare has sponsored The Studio for the pastthree years, providing vital funding enabling ideas to be tried and artisticrisks to be taken.

Our extensive Community and Education programme which takes placethroughout the year was supported by Ralli Solicitors andPricewaterhouseCoopers, and the following trusts and foundations startedtheir support this year: The Booth Charities, The Duchy of LancasterBenevolent Fund, Steel Charitable Trust, Old Possum’s Practical Trust, TheIdlewild Trust and The Scotshill Trust.

In March 2009 we began inviting ticket bookers to “Round Up A Pound”,making a philanthropic donation to the Royal Exchange Theatre. On top ofthis, 440 people donated to the Theatre through the Regular GivingScheme, and we have commissioned six new floor and seat plaques.

Halo Living gave the Exchange Club an elegant and sophisticated new lookin February 2009 by supplying all the furniture to refurbish this opulentspace. The Exchange Club is a private hospitality space for Members andSponsors to entertain when visiting the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Insider has confirmed naming rights of the Insider Suite (previously the Exchange Club).

Awards

The Royal Exchange Theatre won three prestigious TMA Theatre Awardsduring this period – Mick Hughes’ lighting design and Kate O’Flynn for BestSupporting Performance, both for THE CHILDREN’S HOUR. Brenda Blethynalso scooped the Award for Best Performance in a Play for her role in THEGLASS MENAGERIE.

In December 2008, the Exchange won five MEN Theatre Awards, this timefor our acting talent – Maxine Peake (Best Actress), Denise Black (BestSupporting Actress), Kate O’Flynn – again – (Best Newcomer), Will Ash (BestPerformance in a Studio Production), as well as Best Studio production forthe first run of DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE.

In July 2009, as part of the Not Part Of Festival, SPECIAL FX won twoAwards for the regular monthly COMICFX and for Litmus Strings, a stringquartet who play their own versions of Manchester pop classics.

PALACE OF THE END won the Amnesty International Freedom of ExpressionAward at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009, fighting off competition from62 other nominations.

The Royal Exchange Theatre is anot-for-profit organisation andregistered charity (no. 255424). Asone of the UK’s leadingproducing theatres, we exist toprovide entertaining, educationaland enriching experiences for allsections of the communitythrough our work on and off thestage.

The Royal Exchange Theatre’sincome from public funding andticket sales only covers a portionof the costs of delivering thediverse range of activities weundertake each year. The workwe do can only be fulfilledbecause of the generous supportwe receive from individuals,businesses and trusts andfoundations.

Gifts received between 1 April2008 and 31 August 2009

PRINCIPAL FUNDERSArts Council EnglandManchester City CouncilAGMA

MAJOR SPONSORSCity Inn ManchesterInsiderHalo LivingBruntwoodWilliam HareManchester Airport

PROJECT SUPPORTERSThe Edward Atkin Foundation Biffaward The Booth CharitiesThe Boshier-Hinton FoundationThe Co-operativeCrabtree North West Charitable TrustD’Oyly Carte Charitable TrustDuchy of Lancaster Benevolent FundThe Eventhall Family Charitable Trust

HBOS Lex LeasingThe Idlewild TrustJohn Lewis PartnershipThe John S Cohen Foundation John Thaw Foundation Manchester Guardian SocietyThe Noël Coward Foundation Norma Leigh Charitable TrustN Smith Charitable SettlementOld Possum’s Practical TrustPricewaterhouseCoopersRalli SolicitorsThe Scotshill TrustThe Steel Charitable TrustThe Zochonis Trust

EXCHANGE CLUB Corporate Members39 Essex Street ChambersACIES Group LLPAddleshaw GoddardBaker TillyBarclays WealthBeaverbrooks the JewellersThe Business Network (North)Bruntwood CitycoCity Inn, ManchesterThe Co-operativeDewhurst Torevell & Co LtdDLA Piper UK LLPEdmundson Electrical LtdEventuresGreater Manchester Chamber ofCommerceHalliwells LLPHill Dickinson LLPHalo Living HSBC Bank plcInsiderKay Johnson GeeLane-Smith & Shindler LLPLincoln House ChambersManchester AirportManchester Evening NewsMohindra Maini LLP SolictorsN M Rothschild & Sons LtdPinsent MasonsPricewaterhouseCoopersRalli Solicitors

RBSRegatta Sanderson Weatherall LLPUK Together LimitedVirgin TrainsWhitebirk Finance

Individual MembersMr Ian CurrieJohn & Penny EarlyPhilip & Fiona Geiger Rick & Julie HollandRobert & Stephanie JohnsonDavid & Mary McKeithMrs Shirley MurtaghMr Stephen PosterMartin & Sandra StoneRon & Pauline TaylorJohn R Whitfield

DONORS & SPONSORSACIES Group LLPBaxterStoreyBeaverbrooks the JewellersMs Brenda BensonBritish AirwaysCheshire LifeCISB De SousaDragonfly DesignFriends of the Royal ExchangeTheatreGallowaysMr G J GarbettJack and Maria Goldberg Lady Stephanie JohnsonJW LeesMrs Janet LeftonMrs E LouposMatthew Seed PhotographyThe Midland, ManchesterMrs Shirley MurtaghNorthenden Golf ClubDr R G PugsleyRenaissance Manchester HotelRoyal MailMrs Pat SchniderSteinberg Family Charitable TrustMartin and Sandra StoneMr J D Sykes

Taylors SolicitorsWhitebirk FinanceMrs A Yates

FLOOR PLAQUESRemembering Norman HartleyDuerden (1 July 1926 - 5 October2007) Who Loved This TheatreDr Richard T JohnsonIn memory of Dorothy Knowles –theatre lover For My Daughter-In-Law, ShirleyMurtagh, With Love WinifredEric & Elaine PagetTrevor and Mary Stockton

SEAT PLAQUES Catherine Simmons

REGULAR GIVINGGold MembershipMr D AinsworthMr & Mrs BradshawMrs A M BrookesGary Buttriss-HoltMr & Mrs CJ ChandlerMr P J CravenMr Peter CooperP J DukeMrs V FletcherJack & Maria GoldbergMr Donald MatherHelen McPhersonPannone LLPMs J Langley WhiteMrs H WilesMrs Zena Traynor

Financial support received hasbeen vitally important to theRoyal Exchange Theatre.Although we are only able tocredit gifts over £500, we wouldlike to express our gratitude to allindividuals and organisationswho have supported us.

Royal Exchange Theatre Company LimitedSummarised Group Financial Statements

The Board members of the Royal Exchange Theatre confirm that thesesummarised financial statements are a summary of informationextracted from the full annual accounts.

Copies of the full audited annual accounts are available from theDirector of Finance and Administration, Royal Exchange Theatre, St. Ann'sSquare, Manchester M2 7DH

Summarised group income and expenditure account for the year to 31st March 2009

2009 2008£ '000 £ '000

Income 3,913 3,594Expenditure 6,357 6,075 Net operating deficit before grants & transfers -2,444 -2,481 Grants 2,600 2,538Operating surplus/(deficit) before transfers 156 57Transfer to designated funds -98 -158Operating surplus/(deficit) 58 -101

Summarised group balance sheetas at 31st March 2009

2009 2008£ '000 £ '000

Fixed assets 15,908 16,949

Current assets 1,222 1,241 Creditors due within one year -947 -970Net current liabilities 275 271

Creditors due after more than one year 0 0Total net assets 16,183 17,220

Represented byUnrestricted funds -393 -450Designated funds (capital project) 593 632Designated funds (other initiatives) 805 796Restricted funds (capital project) 15,136 16,178 Resticted funds (artistic initiatives) 42 64

16,183 17,220

Analysis of Income2009

£ '000

1 Box office income 2,9692 Ancillary income 4383 Sponsorship & fund-raising 4874 Other income 195 Government grants 2,600

6,513

Analysis of Expenditure2009

£ '000

1 Costs of performances 5,4202 Costs of other charitable

activities 7133 Costs of generating funds 2084 Governance costs 16

6,357