BELGRADE THEATRE
VISION
To be one of the most dynamic producing houses in the country
MISSION
“Our role is to provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality
for Coventry and the surrounding regions and to act as an ambassador for Coventry & the West
Midlands when touring”
Would you like to take part? Call for Committee Members
We are keen to improve representation from women, young people, people from black
and minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities.
The Belgrade Theatre Trust (Coventry) Ltd is a registered charity and consists of the Theatre
which produces and presents theatre in two auditoria (Main Stage 850, B2 flexible c 250) and
the Community & Education Company. The Belgrade has developed various commercial
activities that it runs through its wholly owned trading subsidiary company, Belgrade Enterprises
Ltd – commercial set building by Belgrade Production Services (BPS), Events & Conferencing,
the usual front of house ancillary sales, commercial training workshops for businesses and paid
participation. Catering (consisting of restaurant, café bar and bars) at the Theatre is licenced to
an outside operator on a three year licence. Work is produced to play at the Belgrade, in
community centres in the immediate area, in co-production with other theatre companies, and
occasionally touring further afield. The Board of Directors is particularly required to be
supportive of the Theatre’s efforts to increase its fund raising from non public sources.
The Board of Directors & Trustees run the organization and rely on the services of Committees
to have a more detailed view of the various different elements of operation. We are always
looking for volunteers to join our Committees, keen to improve representation from women,
young people, people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds and people with disabilities.
Members of Committees are also considered for membership of the Board of Directors.
The Committees are each chaired by a Director of the company and consist of a Chair and
Vice-Chair, several other members of the community (who are not members of the Board of
Directors) whose specific skills/experience are relevant to the work of that specific Committee,
and one or often both the Executive Officers of the Belgrade Theatre as well as the Senior
Manager whose area of responsibility the Committee oversees. The Chairman of the Theatre
Board also has the right to attend any Committee meeting.
Members are invited to join the Committee for three years, followed on consecutively by a
further three year term. Ordinary Committee members are asked to give at least three months
notice, if possible, of their intention to resign or not to renew their initial three year term. The
Chairman and Vice Chairman are asked to give at least six month’s notice where possible.
Each Committee holds between four and six meetings annually, timing and frequency as agreed
with the Chair. Committee members are expected to attend at a minimum 2/3rds Committee
meetings
Committees of the Theatre
 Arts Policy (including seasons’ programming)
 Audit Committee (finance, general operations of the Belgrade Theatre)
 Development incorporating fund raising and sponsorship
 Capital Development Project (oversaw the £14 million capital project; currently in abeyance)
 Community & Education
 Communications (Marketing)

Governance & Nominations
If you are interested to find out more please email admin@belgrade.co.uk expressing which
committee you are interested in, what you think you can bring to it and attaching your CV. We
look forward to hearing from you.
Hamish Glen Artistic Director & Joanna Reid Executive Director
BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY - BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Belgrade Theatre is the major arts and cultural facility in Coventry and the only buildingbased professional producing theatre company in the city. We aim to present a vibrant
programme of produced, visiting and community work in our two auditoria and other spaces that
is informed by an artistic policy designed to attract local and national attention, cater to and
develop the different audiences in and around Coventry, lift the profile of the theatre as a
producing theatre, bear witness to its community’s experiences, find a unique voice for the
Belgrade in the context of the region, attract leading theatre artists – in short re-establish the
vision, radicalism and internationalism that marked the opening of the theatre in 1958.
Now established as one of England’s major producing houses, the Belgrade’s mission is to grow
the reach, excellence and engagement of all the work we produce and present.
The Belgrade is the only producing and presenting theatre in Coventry, England’s 11th most
populous city and the second largest conurbation in the Midlands. We create theatre in the
belief that it enriches its communities, and we work hard to include the city’s and region’s young
people. We will provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality
for city, regional, national and international audiences.
“The Belgrade Theatre’s fortunes have been restored in a series of adventurous seasons under
its Artistic Director, Hamish Glen.” The Church Times Sept 2011
The Belgrade has now established itself as one of England’s major producing houses. We have
re-established the Belgrade’s historic vision, radicalism, community engagement and
internationalism by presenting a vibrant programme of produced, visiting and community work in
our two auditoria that has a recognised distinctive artistic policy that has attracted local, national
and international attention; that caters to and develops new audiences; that bears witness to our
communities’ experiences; secured our profile as a producing theatre; now able to attract
leading theatre artists, companies and co-producers; and transforming the reach of the
company’s work.
“Continually the Belgrade shows a commitment to bring the best theatre to the Midlands – lively
and interesting programming” Survey response 2013
The Belgrade receives revenue funding from Coventry City Council and Arts Council West
Midlands as well as project funding from these and other government sources (recent Arts
Council grants include Sustain and Catalyst). The capital project was funded by Arts Council
England, Coventry City Council, Advantage West Midlands and ERDF plus a number of Grant
Making Trusts and Foundations, Businesses and generous individuals.
The current economic circumstances bring particular challenges for the Belgrade, as for all
organisations that are in receipt of public funding, but the Theatre is in excellent shape to
respond creatively, with a keen and talented staff loyal to the Belgrade and to the Artistic
Director’s vision, excellent financial control and a reasonable level of reserves.
Chairs of the Board of Directors
The Belgrade Theatre’s rebirth has been led by the Board of Directors under the Chairmanship
of David Burbidge OBE MA DL (2001 to 2008) and David Shortland FRICS Hon DBA (who
served on the Board since 2002, serving as Director, Vice Chair & Chair) who retired September
2011. René Olivieri MA served as Chairman until September 2012 and was succeeded by
Stewart Fergusson, former CEO of Orbit Housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Belgrade Theatre was built in 1958 as part of the reconstruction of Coventry after World
War II and was named in honour of the Yugoslav gift of timber used to help reconstruct the city.
Holding 858 in its two-tier main auditorium, it remains one of the largest regional producing
theatres in Britain.
Early Belgrade Theatre Company members included Trevor Nunn, Ian McKellen, John Gunter,
Joan Plowright, Michael Crawford, Frank Finlay and Leonard Rossiter, with Arnold Wesker and
David Turner among the new dramatists.
In 1992 the Belgrade revived the medieval tradition of the Coventry Mystery Plays, performing
famous stories from the bible in the ruins of the Old Cathedral. Productions continued
intermittently until 2000 when the Belgrade Theatre produced the Millennium Mysteries in
collaboration with Polish theatre company, Teatr Biuro Podrozy. The Belgrade created a brand
new version in 2003 and its last one in 2006 with a production that the Daily Mail chose as a
stand-out production in their end of year review.
The Belgrade also started the Theatre-in-Education (TiE) movement in the 1960s, and the
theatre’s Community & Education Company continues to pioneer in-house and outreach
projects which use the performing arts to develop communication skills, confidence, creative
thinking, self-expression, problem solving and team working. Acting Out, its BTEC accredited
course for young people at risk of exclusion from school, has been cited as a model of good
practice in the Government White Paper on 14-19 Education and Training, and has led to
similar projects being developed in Birmingham and Cardiff.
The Belgrade’s second auditorium, B2, which is flexible and seating around 250, was built as
part of a £14 million capital project and was opened in September 2007.
Belgrade Production highlights include Bergman’s SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE directed by
Trevor Nunn and starring Imogen Stubbs and Iain Glen; ONE NIGHT IN NOVEMBER by Alan
Pollock directed by Hamish Glen which was revived and later transferred to the Main Stage; the
award winning UNCLE VANYA directed by Helena Kaut Howsen. 2012 Belgrade productions
NORA by Bergman, STARS IN THE MORNING SKY by Galin, THE FATHER by Strindberg, a
revival of WE LOVE YOU CITY co-production with Talking Birds, the premier of FRAGILE by
Geoff Thomson and William Inge’s DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS; 2014 has seen Ben
Jonson’s THE ALCHEMIST and THE SPANISH GOLDEN AGE, three plays in rep co-produced
with Bath Theatre Royal and Arcola London. The Belgrade’s adventurous programming
continues to win commendation and comment in the national media.
Past Annual Reports may be found on www.belgrade.co.uk – About Us tab
Our Mission
Now established as one of England’s major producing houses, the Belgrade’s mission is to grow
the reach, excellence and engagement of all the work we produce and present.
We will provide a comprehensive performing arts service of the highest possible quality for
Coventry and the surrounding regions and act as an ambassador for Coventry and the West
Midlands when touring.
Our Philosophy
The Belgrade creates theatre in the belief that it can enrich its community and fundamentally
change peoples’ lives for the better. It is the Belgrade’s underlying belief that it should be open
to the influences that surround it and that collaborations between artists, local agencies and
communities can create relevant and exciting theatre and we will work with artists of the highest
possible quality, locally, nationally and internationally to achieve this.
We further believe that the theatre can be a cost effective agency for the delivery of local
services and will seek to become a part of the infrastructure, in partnership with other relevant
agencies to deliver educational, Black and Minority Ethnic, outreach and young people’s
services alongside serving audiences through the presentation of high quality, varied and
exciting theatre.
Our Brand Values
We strive to be Energetic and Passionate about everything we do. Whether we’re cleaning the
Belgrade’s iconic chandeliers, painting a set or directing a cutting-edge drama, we are
committed to do it to the best of our ability and with energy and passion.
We are Creative, Inspiring and Talented. This is clearly evident on our stages where our
home-produced shows regularly receive critical and popular acclaim. But this also applies to the
whole organisation – our marketing team, catering staff, administration or accounts
departments.
We will be Open, Honest and Down-to-Earth. We will be accessible to all and unrestricted to
participants. We will be sincere, without affectation and free of prejudice.
Artistic Director Update March 2014
During the year the Belgrade has continued to show its strength and flexibility during very
demanding times enabling us to deliver on our strategic plan despite the effects of the
continuing economic uncertainty and recession. It has been a turbulent year, working with less
public money and with several contracted visiting companies cancelling at short notice, and box
office results have varied widely. Audiences remain risk averse and some shows have sold
extremely poorly, yet they then respond strongly to new shows that have the safety of a “big
brand” such as THE MOUSETRAP and our own Panto, which has been the most successful in
box office and audience terms since I joined the Belgrade. 2013/2014 results are not yet
finalised but we are confident now of returning a small contribution to our reserves, having
produced seven in-house shows alongside a vibrant community and education programme and
an extended programme of supporting other companies’ work through our new “in association
with” model.
The year saw the theatre produce and present the quality and variety of work that we wish to:
producing a revival of ONE NIGHT IN NOVEMBER and a successful co-production with a
commercial producer, Inspire, of a new musical THE PRODIGALS, alongside a continuing
commitment to producing rarely seen classics THE ALCHEMIST, a co-production with Riding
Lights, as well as the world premiere of CHARLIE PEACE, HIS AMAZING LIFE AND
ASTOUNDING LEGEND by Michael Eaton which we co-produced with Nottingham Playhouse.
Audiences, media, business community and funders are responding well to this programming
policy that appeals to and serves many different audiences in and around Coventry and beyond.
The theatre further produced its annual pantomime and our alternative Christmas offering the
premiere of OH NO IT ISN’T by Nick Walker.
“The Belgrade maintains a balance of challenging in-house productions with popular touring
shows and also some world famous visiting companies. It does a fantastic job of appealing to a
very wide demograph - Coventarians, students, visitors - and all ages too. There is a something
for everyone during a season and it is worth checking out a show if you are visiting Coventry,
maybe even if it is not the usual type of show you would watch. It will definitely be of a good
standard”. Tripadvisor July 2013
Funding cuts continue to roll in and 2014/15 will see the full effect of Coventry City Council’s
25% cut and the effects of numerous in-period cuts that ACE has had to pass on from Central
Government. Yet we plan to exceed our NPO requirement of producing six in house shows
alongside our C&E programme, enabled by a series of co-productions: three productions that
form the SPANISH GOLDEN AGE Season, co-produced with Bath Theatre Royal and Arcola
Theatre London; the world premiere of PROPAGANDA SWING directed by me and coproduced with Nottingham Playhouse; THREE MINUTE HEROES which continues the strand of
shows that tell Coventry’s stories; a revival of our alternative panto OH NO IT ISN’T and a new
Panto – giving a total of seven shows. Further we hope to co-produce a new Family Show THE
SILVER SWORD in co-production with Hackney Empire and are working to gather more coproducers to enable it to happen.
On an upbeat note, 2013/14 also saw audiences for our produced work grow from 136,568
(2011/12) to 157,550. In the year, work produced by the theatre in co-production and in
association grew from five productions seen by 64,887 people (2012/13) to six productions with
audiences of 158,760. The Belgrade’s Development Team did exceptionally well to meet its
Catalyst Programme target of £60,000 (in addition to its annual target of £97k) which is matched
by a grant in 2013/14 and enabled various additional artistic projects including offsite rehearsed
readings in the summer (BELGRADE UNPLUGGED), a live streaming of ONE NIGHT IN
NOVEMBER, a closed streaming into hospitals of JACK & THE BEANSTALK and the
establishment of the Asian Youth Theatre. Belgrade Production Services continues to grow and
increased turnover by 29% on 2012/13, to over £400,000.
We are in good shape to face the new tests that 2014/15 will present but they are considerable:
operating from a much lower funding base, the continuing risk aversion of the public, the
volatility of box office earnings, the uncertainty about more ambitious fund raising targets. At
this point we remain confident that the Belgrade is robust and strong. We enjoy a team of staff
who are creative, flexible, loyal and passionate about what they do, which is led by a talented
and committed senior management team. We aim to continue to be bold and creative in our
artistic work in order to continue on our mission to be one of the most dynamic producing
houses in the country and to offer an exciting mix of entertaining and engaging live experiences
all under one roof in our newly invigorated building.
Encouraged by experience to date, we feel that these characteristics will combine to see us
through.
HAMISH GLEN
Artistic Director & CEO
JOANNA REID
Executive Director
1 July 2014
The Belgrade Theatre renews its Arts Council NPO Funding 2015-2018
www.belgrade.co.uk
Previous Annual Reports may be found at www/Belgrade.co.uk/About Us/About The Belgrade