Regal Trust Report November 2013

The trust has now completed it’s first full year of trading and completed the first annual accounts.  Predictably due to the amount of capital expenditure undertaken, we made a small loss, but after depreciation our asset value has increased to over £22,000.

Now that we can compare trading figures year on year, we can see growth in sales all of which is coming through online sales.

More people are visiting us from further afield and people are planning visits to the cinema and theatre whilst in the area on holiday.  Local restaurants are reporting an increase in pre-show sales, and along with increased stopovers this is having a positive effect on the local economy.

We have now launched a business partnership scheme, to work more closely with a number of businesses and a friends scheme, with various rewards for our most loyal customers.

We have already staged the first of our Christmas shows with the ever popular and spectacular Tenbury Floral Arts “Spirit of the Season” Show that is something that has to be seen to be believed.  We are now looking forward to a busy December, with several  Christmas favourites.  Firstly the Nutcracker from the Royal Opera House, then the Tenbury Town Band’s Christmas Concert, followed by four performances of Dick Whittington, and our Children’s Christmas Party with the Muppet’s Christmas Carol.  

We have no live shows in January, but have packed the schedule to breaking point with great movies and award winning productions from the Globe Theatre.

From February we will be able to show content from the National Theatre, starting with their award winning War Horse.  Along with content from the Royal Opera House, the Royal Shakespeare Company & the Globe Theatre, we are seeing us become the venue of choice for an ever larger number of people.

Our live season kicks off in February with our own variety fund raising show, starring Bobby Crush & Chris Davis, followed towards the end of the month by Abbamania which is guaranteed to get Tenbury up and dancing however cold it is outside.

In early March we are joining in with the Borderlines Film Festival which we hope will give us even greater exposure to regular film goers, and remind people that we are back in operation, better than ever.

On a sad note; we say goodbye this month to our Heritage Access Officer, Sarah Fellows who starts a new job in Birmingham.  Sarah has been the driving force behind many initiatives and has been of immeasurable assistance behind the scenes.  We are desperately seeking additional funding to try to retain her if only part time.  We have also seen our part time Arts Manager, James Dakers find a new job in Birmingham, which has resulted in far fewer hours being spent with us.

Regal Trust Report September 2013

The Tenbury Wells Floral Art Club held their 40th Anniversary show “A Celebration in Flowers” In the Regal Function room.  This was a great success and really helped demonstrate how our partnership working with other local organisations is really beneficial to both parties.

The Regal also joined in with the National Heritage Open Day. Tours of the Regal were advertised locally and nationally, and quite a number were fully booked.  The day was a great success and will be repeated again in the future.

We are currently planning to increase the usage of the community centre function room. Everyone is invited to the open morning next Saturday between 10am and 12pm to see great ideas on how the room can be used.  We will be cross promoting from our stand at Applefest.

Tickets for our professional pantomime are selling very well, so if you want to come, buy your tickets soon.

We are also holding another party.  After the success of our summer Cinderella birthday party, we have decided to hold a Christmas one.  We will be showing the Muppets Christmas Carol, this will be a free event and I expect there will be cake.

Work is well underway planning the entertainment for the first quarter of 2014.

Amongst the many films on offer we will see the next installment of the Hobbit story with The Desolation of Smaug, and the eagerly awaited new Disney film, Saving Mr Banks starring Emma Thompson & Tom Hanks.

On the technical front, the new dimmer racks have now been commissioned giving greater flexibility in the way the lights are controlled for live shows.  The new three phases supply to the stage is being used by the larger visiting shows, which has resolved the power failure problems.

We hope to start receiving DCP’s (Digital Cinema Packets - i.e Films) via the internet rather than by Courier within the next few months.  Although film is now digital, it currently moves around the country on hard drives.  The technology now exists to distribute the majority of films over the internet, and then be stored locally until played. We hope to be amongst the first independent cinemas to adopt this new technology.

Regal Trust Report July 2013

June was a very busy month for live entertainment at the Regal.  We saw fantastic shows by Fairport Convention, Pam Ayres, The Fortunes & a really great evening of community entertainment from the Teme Valley Band & Little Hereford Voices Community Choir.

17,000 tickets have been sold for films & shows and an even more ambitious program has been planned leading up to Christmas.

This Thursday we are showing the wartime film, Went The Day Well and will be welcoming a large group of volunteers and enthusiasts from the Severn Valley Railway who plan to arrive in a period coach and I believe in period dress.

At the end of July we are holding two events to mark the Regal’s Birthday and to mark the first year of trading.  The first is a Gala Performance of the musical version of the War of the Worlds, originally recorded at the O2 arena.  The second is a Free family birthday party, with party games, cake and a screening of Cinderella.

We are pleased to announce that the broadcast of Pompeii Live from the British Museum was a great success, both the rather racy “adult” version and the schools version.

We now also have contracts with

• The V&A Museum to show David Bowie is happening now.
• The Glove Theatre, London, to show their 2013 season.
• We’re thrilled to be screening the first ever live cinema broadcast from the stage of the Royal Shakespeare Company with the sellout production of Richard II (the fastest selling show in the RSC’s history), with David Tennant in the title role.
• and will be screening Peter Grimes on Aldeburgh Beach.
• We are still in negotiations to screen content from the National Theatre.
  

We continue to seek out as wide and as interesting programme as possible, and welcome suggestions and ideas from our customers.

The Trust recently held it’s first AGM.  Chris Davis was reappointed as Chairman, but has indicated he doesn't intend to stand again next year.  Peter Drew was appointed Deputy Chairman.  The Trustees are looking to strengthen their team, and would be interested to hear from anyone interested in becoming a Trustee, in particular people with experience in the following fields:

• Legal
• Accountancy / Finance
• Fund Raising
• Property Management

Regal Trust Report March 2013

March was as busy as predicted. More than 3,000 people, attended shows and films.

April promises to be busy month for technical improvements. The intruder alarm has been installed and the update to the three phase system has been started. We are also planning to start the process of installing a permanent sound system for use on some live shows.

We are pleased to announce that we will be receiving a live broadcast from the British Museum, a world first, and will have a special showing of War of the Worlds, recorded at the O2 arena, which we will show as part of the Regal Anniversary Black Tie Event (more details to follow)

We are in the final process of putting together the next season, which will include live performances from, The Counterfeit Sixties and Desperado (Eagles Tribute), a variety show from the Lights Down Theatre School, and a performance of Treasure Island from the Blue Orange Theatre Company.

During the school summer holidays there will be a special season of family films.

The day-time cafe is currently closed due to unprofitable trading, but the Trustees are considering a number of alternate options.

You are all encouraged to come along to the Regal this Thursday to see a performance of Finding Joy by Vamos, the incredible full mask theatre company. This will be a show that will bring tears and laughter in equal measure.

On Saturday 20th, the Regal steps back in time to the early forties, for the Mayors Charity Show, where a band of talented entertainers recreate a wartime Garrison Theatre. This special show promises to evoke the spirit of Wartime Britain, with the music and laughter that kept Britain smiling through her darkest days.

Regal Trust Report February 2013

Over the next few weeks the Regal will be very busy.

On Wednesday we are hosting a field trip of 90+ pupils from Chantry School who are having a private screening of The Impossible (which is about the Tsunami in 2004).

Friday’s, Ruby Turner concert is sold out.

Next week see’s four screenings of Les Miserables all of which are at least 60% sold, and the following week’s film, Lincoln is also selling very well.

All this activity puts a lot of pressure on the existing volunteers.  A few more people have volunteered this year, but more would be welcome.

The Management Board chaired by the General Manager is now operational.

Cllr Joe Watson is assisting us by researching how we can develop both our Fire Procedures and Health & Safety policies to ensure both compliance and best practice.

Two new Trustees have been appointed.  Jane Allen, who is a Management Consultant, with an interest in developing the trusts social responsibility and Richard Amphlett, who is a specialist Insurance Broker, but brings expertise in Fund Raising.

Regal Trust Report January 2013

December was a predictably busy time for the Regal Trust and the volunteers.

A second brochure was printed and distributed giving details of shows until the end of March. This was widely supported by local businesses through advertising.
Additional funds were also raised through the highly successful dedicate a seat campaign, which has allowed the continuing capital expenditure program to buy additional equipment.

More than 2,500 people enjoyed shows during the month.

There were a total of 6 full houses, across three genres.  Film, Ballet & Live Music.
In addition the the “public” shows there were performances and screening by local schools which were well attended by parents and supporters, and special film screenings for Tenbury High School, and a number of Christmas parties were also hosted.
In addition to the 60 active volunteers, the Trust have appointed 3 part-time cleaners, a part-time book keeper and a part-time general manager.  They are also in the process of formalising their operational management structure and appointing additional trustees.
The Trust is just putting the finishing touches to the schedule for April to June which will once again have a wide cross section of films and events including, Opera with Plácido Domingo, an audience with Pam Ayres, Classical Music with Fordante, Drama from the Vamos Theatre Company, concerts from the Town Band and hopefully the Teme Valley Band & Little Hereford Choir, Music from Gerry & the Pacemakers, Fairport Convention, the Fortunes, and a Queen tribute band to name but a few.  Plus a very special Mayors Charity show.

Regal Trust Report December 2012

December was a predictably busy time for the Regal Trust and the volunteers.

A second brochure was printed and distributed giving details of shows until the end of March.  This was widely supported by local businesses through advertising.

Additional funds were also raised through the highly successful dedicate a seat campaign, which has allowed the continuing capital expenditure program to buy additional equipment.

More than 2,500 people enjoyed shows during the month.

There were a total of 6 full houses, across three genres.  Film, Ballet & Live Music.

In addition the the “public” shows there were performances and screening by local schools which were well attended by parents and supporters, and special film screenings for Tenbury High School, and a number of Christmas parties were also hosted.

In addition to the 60 active volunteers, the Trust have appointed 3 part-time cleaners, a part-time book keeper and a part-time general manager.  They are also in the process of formalising their operational management structure and appointing additional trustees.

The Trust is just putting the finishing touches to the schedule for April to June which will once again have a wide cross section of films and events including, Opera with Plácido Domingo, an audience with Pam Ayres, Classical Music with Fordante, Drama from the Vamos Theatre Company, concerts from the Town Band and hopefully the Teme Valley Band & Little Hereford Choir, Music from Gerry & the Pacemakers, Fairport Convention, the Fortunes, and a Queen tribute band to name but a few.  Plus a very special Mayors Charity show.