| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Unaudited Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| for |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
| Report of the Trustees and |
| Unaudited Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| for |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Contents of the Financial Statements |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| Page |
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 | to | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 | to | 15 |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (Registered number: SC140452) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (Registered number: SC140452) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES |
| On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (ODTC), I am pleased to present this report along with the financial statements for the year ending 31st March 2025. |
| Reflecting on the past year, it's incredible to see how much we've achieved in just 12 months. Here are some of the highlights; |
| April: Members began preparing for the summer show, "Death on the Spey," filming key scenes at Ladyhill, Gordon Castle, and Spynie Palace. The weather was kind, and the acting was fantastic. |
| May: Alan Richardson from Surge Street Theatre, Glasgow, led two workshops, culminating in a street performance in Elgin. HNC Acting and Performance students delivered a strong end of year performance of "Dr Frankenstein," while UAL Performing and Production Arts students showcased scenes from "Matilda," "Beetlejuice - The Musical," and more. |
| June: The second Surge workshop rehearsals took place, supported by our staff and volunteers. We also introduced a new UHI course, NPA Acting and Performance, which commenced with 15 enthusiastic students who attend every week on day release from school. |
| July: Career Ready |
| We were proud to support the Career Ready program supporting two enthusiastic individuals from Elgin Academy - James and Archie, who contributed significantly to our day-today operations and rehearsals towards our summer show. They participated in various tasks and provided extra support during the summer show. Both internships were paid and offered valuable work experience and financial support to young individuals over a 4 week period. Their involvement added fun and energy to our team, and we hope to work with more such dedicated individuals in the future. |
| August: "Death on the Spey" was performed to sold-out audiences from 14th to 16th August, captivating everyone with its thrilling storyline and excellent performances. |
| As part of their induction week, our UHI Moray students took part in an industry trip to Eden Court, Inverness where they received a full tour of the theatre and discussed creative opportunities within the industry with theatre staff. |
| September: Community Engagement and Performances |
| Several board members, along with Garry and a few of the Greyfriars Group ladies, assisted at the annual Fiddlers Rally in Elgin Town Hall, raising £500 for ODTC. |
| As part of the Findhorn Bay Festival, members performed on the streets of Forres, showcasing their work created with Surge Street Theatre. Additionally, our Performing Arts students attended two theatre shows at the biannual Findhorn Bay Festival, enriching their learning experience and inspiring their future performances. The feedback from these trips was overwhelmingly positive, with students thoroughly enjoying the variety of productions and gaining valuable insights into different styles and approaches to theatre. |
| October: Community Support and Fundraising |
| The Multi Arts and Tech group prepared the "Guy" for Elgin Rotary's Bonfire and Firework display held in the Cooper Park, Elgin. Our annual Halloween quiz night fundraiser continued to be a hit with our supporters raising over £1,800 for the company. |
| Elgin Academy pupils chose ODTC as their charity for the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative competition, winning £3,000 for the company to provide free uniforms to all of our ODTC members. |
| December: Christmas Performances |
| UAL Performing and Production students entertained UHI Moray Nursery children with performances of "Supertato's Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Snowball." |
| The annual sell out ODTC panto, "Sleeping Beauty," was a festive success, with every seat filled in the house - our members delivered incredible performances supported by our long-standing member - Scott Collins who has now taken up the role as Head of Lighting. |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (Registered number: SC140452) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| March: Themed Quiz Night and More Theatre! |
| An 80's Theme Quiz night brought fun and nostalgia to the community featuring some of our own ODTC members recreating some top 80s bands. |
| Our NPA Acting and Performance students performed "LIAR" by Gregory Burke, followed by UAL students' side-splitting double bill of "Sweeney Todd: Goes Wrong!" |
| Collaboration with DYW Moray |
| Throughout the Year we continued to build our relationship with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Moray, which has been a crucial link to the young people and schools that we support in the community. This partnership has enabled us to provide valuable opportunities for young individuals to engage in theatre and performance arts, fostering their skills and confidence. |
| Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans |
| ODTC has continued to provide tailored support for our members with learning disabilities, ensuring they have the resources and assistance needed to participate fully in our programs. Our inclusive approach fosters a supportive environment where all members can thrive, develop their skills, and build confidence through theatre and performance arts. Due to the demand for our service we continue to attract new members and are now crossing into Highland and Aberdeenshire regions. This expansion allows us to reach more communities and provide our unique service of theatre training and support to a wider population. |
| Our Performing Arts taster sessions continued to attract prospective students, thanks to the dedication of our staff. We received generous donations from various organisations, including Elgin Rotary and Tesco. We also joined the Moray Chamber of Commerce to expand our local network. |
| Throughout the year, our social media presence grew, showcasing behind-the-scenes moments and promoting our work. |
| Looking ahead, we aim to expand our outreach programs, increase our production schedule and course offerings and explore new funding avenues to ensure sustainability. We are grateful for the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and we look forward to another successful year. |
| Thank you to everyone who is part of Out of the Darkness Theatre Company for your continued support and hard work. |
| FINANCIAL REVIEW |
| The directors have examined the requirements for unrestricted funds and consider that there are adequate resources to allow the charity to maintain its operational capacity. The total income for the year ended 31 March 2025 as £345,986 (2024 - £288,047) and expenditure was £329,287 (2024 - £275,510), this resulted in a surplus of £16,699 (2024 - £12,921). Reserves at 31 March 2025 stood at £111,422 and all relates to unrestricted funds. The reserves at 31 March 2025 are adequate to allow the charity to fulfil its aims as future funding in generated mainly through grants and income generated from services provided by the company. |
| It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year. |
| The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity , and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. |
| STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT |
| Governing document |
| The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006. |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (Registered number: SC140452) |
| Report of the Trustees |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
| Registered Company number |
| Registered Charity number |
| Registered office |
| Trustees |
| Independent Examiner |
| Alan Long FCA |
| The Long Partnership |
| 4 North Guildry Street |
| Elgin |
| Moray |
| IV30 1JR |
| Bankers |
| Edinburgh |
| EH11 1YH |
| Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
| Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages six to fifteen. |
| Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner |
| The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. |
| Basis of the independent examiner's report |
| My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. |
| Independent examiner's statement |
| In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention : |
| (1) | which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements |
| - | to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and |
| - | to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations |
| have not been met; or |
| (2) | to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. |
| Alan Long FCA |
| The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales |
| The Long Partnership |
| 4 North Guildry Street |
| Elgin |
| Moray |
| IV30 1JR |
| 9 June 2025 |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Statement of Financial Activities |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Charitable activities | 2 |
| Investment income | 3 |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| General |
| Other |
| Total |
| NET INCOME |
| Transfers between funds | 14 | 9,150 | (9,150 | ) | - | - |
| Net movement in funds |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 94,723 |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (Registered number: SC140452) |
| Balance Sheet |
| 31 March 2025 |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total |
| fund | fund | funds | funds |
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| FIXED ASSETS |
| Tangible assets | 8 |
| CURRENT ASSETS |
| Debtors | 9 |
| Cash at bank |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due within one year | 10 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
| CREDITORS |
| Amounts falling due after more than one year | 11 | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) |
| NET ASSETS |
| FUNDS | 14 |
| Unrestricted funds | 94,723 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 94,723 |
| The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2025. |
| The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
| The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
| (a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
| (b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (Registered number: SC140452) |
| Balance Sheet - continued |
| 31 March 2025 |
| These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
| The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Notes to the Financial Statements |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 1. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
| Basis of preparing the financial statements |
| The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
| Income |
| All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
| Expenditure |
| Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
| Tangible fixed assets |
| Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. |
| Freehold property | - |
| Plant and machinery | - |
| Computer equipment | - |
| Taxation |
| The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
| Fund accounting |
| Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
| Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. |
| Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
| Employee benefits |
| The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee's services are received. |
| Termination benefits are recognised as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits |
| Retirement benefits |
| Payments to defined contribution retirement schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due. |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 2. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Service level agreement |
| NHS Highland Services |
| Workshops | 24,120 | 28,965 |
| Performance | 53,004 | 55,778 |
| Work skills | 10,365 | 10,217 |
| Arts | 45,306 | 41,530 |
| ILF Funding | 12,265 | 2,525 |
| SDS | 18,279 | 14,157 |
| Pantomime | 3,264 | 2,688 |
| Room hire and sundry income | 13,066 | 9,478 |
| In House Performances | 3,275 | 1,368 |
| NPA Acting and Performing | 7,875 | - |
| 3. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Deposit account interest |
| 4. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
| Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Depreciation - owned assets |
| 5. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
| There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
| Trustees' expenses |
| There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 6. | STAFF COSTS |
| The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows: |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| Full time staff | 4 | 4 |
| Part time staff | 3 | 3 |
| 7. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
| Unrestricted |
| fund |
| £ |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
| Donations and legacies |
| Charitable activities |
| Investment income |
| Total |
| EXPENDITURE ON |
| Charitable activities |
| General |
| Other |
| Total |
| NET INCOME |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
| Total funds brought forward |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 94,723 |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 8. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS |
| Freehold | Plant and | Computer |
| property | machinery | equipment | Totals |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| COST |
| At 1 April 2024 |
| Additions |
| At 31 March 2025 |
| DEPRECIATION |
| At 1 April 2024 |
| Charge for year |
| At 31 March 2025 |
| NET BOOK VALUE |
| At 31 March 2025 |
| At 31 March 2024 |
| 9. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Trade debtors |
| Prepayments |
| 10. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loans and overdrafts (see note 12) |
| Trade creditors |
| Credit card | 807 | 371 |
| Social security and other taxes |
| Wages and pension | 887 | 768 |
| Accrued expenses |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 11. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Bank loans (see note 12) |
| 12. | LOANS |
| An analysis of the maturity of loans is given below: |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Amounts falling due within one year on demand: |
| Bank loans |
| Amounts falling between one and two years: |
| Bank loans - 1-2 years |
| 13. | LEASING AGREEMENTS |
| Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall due as follows: |
| 31.3.25 | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ |
| Within one year |
| In more than five years |
| 14. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | funds | 31.3.25 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 94,723 | 7,549 | 9,150 | 111,422 |
| Restricted funds |
| National Lottery Community Fund | - | 9,150 | (9,150 | ) | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 16,699 | 111,422 |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 14. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 336,837 | (329,288 | ) | 7,549 |
| Restricted funds |
| National Lottery Community Fund | 9,150 | - | 9,150 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | 16,699 |
| Comparatives for movement in funds |
| Net |
| movement | At |
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 82,186 | 12,537 | 94,723 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 82,186 | 12,537 | 94,723 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 288,047 | (275,510 | ) | 12,537 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 288,047 | (275,510 | ) | 12,537 |
| Out of the Darkness Theatre Company |
| Notes to the Financial Statements - continued |
| For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 |
| 14. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: |
| Net | Transfers |
| movement | between | At |
| At 1.4.23 | in funds | funds | 31.3.25 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 82,186 | 20,086 | 9,150 | 111,422 |
| Restricted funds |
| National Lottery Community Fund | - | 9,150 | (9,150 | ) | - |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 82,186 | 29,236 | - | 111,422 |
| A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds |
| General fund | 624,884 | (604,798 | ) | 20,086 |
| Restricted funds |
| National Lottery Community Fund | 9,150 | - | 9,150 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 634,034 | (604,798 | ) | 29,236 |
| 15. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |