WORDTheatreUK Ltd Charity Accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 12514832

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1203917

WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Company Limited by Shares

Unaudited Financial Statements

30 November 2025

WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Company Limited by Shares

Financial Statements

Year ended 30 November 2025

	Page

Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report)	1

Chartered accountant's report to the board of trustees on the preparation of the unaudited statutory financial statements	7

Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)	8

Statement of financial position	9

Notes to the financial statements	10

WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Company Limited by Shares

Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)

Year ended 30 November 2025

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 November 2025 .

Reference and administrative details

Registered charity name	WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Charity registration number	1203917

Company registration number	12514832

Principal office and registered	41 Rylett Crescent
office	London
	W12 9RP
	England

The trustees

	J C Albrecht
	J M Donohoe	(Resigned 4 November 2025)
	S V Greville
	S M Kenis
	R Stone	(Appointed 18 May 2026)
	R M Kuhnert	(Appointed 13 August 2026)

Company secretary	Steve Abbott

Accountants	Allen, West and Foster
	Chartered accountants
	Omega Court
	364-366 Cemetery Road
	Sheffield
	S11 8FT

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

WordTheatreUK Ltd is a charitable company limited by shares, incorporated in England and Wales (company number 12514832 ) and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The charity is governed by its Articles of Association, which set out the objects, powers and administrative arrangements. The sole member of the company is WordTheatre, a not-for-profit organisation in the United States of America.

Constitution and share capital

The company is limited by shares and has one ordinary share of £1, which is fully paid and held by the sole member, WordTheatre. The share carries voting and membership rights but no right to income or capital, including on a winding up.

Recruitment, induction and training of trustees

Trustees may be appointed by the existing Board of Trustees or by the sole member in accordance with the Articles of Association. When a vacancy arises, potential trustees are identified based on their skills, experience and commitment to the charity's objects. New trustees are provided with an induction pack, which includes the governing document, recent accounts and the Charity Commission's guidance on trustee responsibilities. They are encouraged to attend relevant external training and charity governance seminars.

Organisational structure and decision-making

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the strategic direction and governance of the charity, ensuring that it delivers its charitable purposes for the public benefit. Day-to-day operations are delegated to the Artistic Director and administrative team, who report to the Board. Formal Board meetings are held at least twice a year, with additional meetings convened as required.

Pay and remuneration of key management personnel

No remuneration or other benefits were paid by the charity to any of its trustees or to key management personnel during the year. All individuals involved in the governance and management of the charity provide their services on a voluntary basis.

Risk management

The Board of Trustees maintains an overview of the key risks facing the charity, including financial, operational and reputational risks. A risk register is reviewed annually, and mitigating controls are implemented where appropriate.

Related parties

The charity's sole member, WordTheatre (US), shares the same artistic vision and mission. While the UK charity operates independently in compliance with UK charity law, it benefits from the reputation, content and international network of WordTheatre US. From time to time, the organisations collaborate on projects and share artistic resources.

Objectives and activities

Charitable purposes

WordTheatreUK Ltd is established under its governing document as a company limited by shares with exclusively charitable purposes. The charity's principal purpose is to advance the education of the public in oral storytelling traditions through live performances in schools and in the community, fostering an interest in literature in a new generation.

Aims and objectives

The charity seeks to increase public access to live literature by creating opportunities for audiences to hear short stories, poetry and other literary works performed by professional actors. Through these events and its educational activities, WordTheatreUK Ltd aims to foster an interest in literature, deepen cultural engagement and support authors by bringing their work to wider audiences.

Strategies for achieving aims

To achieve these aims, WordTheatreUK Ltd organises and presents live performances in a range of venues across the UK, often accompanied by author discussions. The charity also partners with other arts organisations, festivals and venues to extend the reach of its programmes.

Significant activities

During the year, the charity staged literary performances featuring professional actors reading works by established and emerging authors. It also developed events aimed at schools and community groups to make literature accessible to audiences who might not otherwise engage with it. These activities contribute directly to the achievement of the charity's purposes by fostering an interest in literature and increasing public engagement with the written word.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance when planning and delivering the charity's activities. Performances and related programmes are designed to be accessible to the public and to promote engagement with literature and oral storytelling.

Volunteers and grant-making

The charity benefits from the unpaid time and expertise of its trustees and from the assistance of volunteers in delivering events. The charity does not operate a grant-making programme and does not currently engage in social investment.

Strategic report

The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity.

Achievements and performance

Overview of the year

During 2025, WordTheatreUK Ltd expanded its activities, fulfilling its mission of bringing the written word to life through live performances, from large-scale theatrical productions to visits to under-resourced schools.

In early March, WordTheatreUK Ltd sold out The Old Vic Theatre with Harriet Walter & Friends: What Shakespeare's Women Might Have Said, presented with Fane Productions. Actresses Olivia Williams, Tanya Moodie, MyAnna Buring, Leah Harvey, Meera Syal and Juliet Stevenson, together with violinist Lizzie Ball, joined Harriet Walter for female-inclusive reimaginings of some of Shakespeare's most iconic scenes. The following day, Dame Harriet Walter, Olivia Williams and Leah Harvey, together with WordTheatreUK Ltd staff and trained volunteers, visited Thomas Tallis School in Blackheath, London, where they presented an abridged version of the previous evening's show for 350 students. This was followed by an interactive exercise with 30 female-identifying students centred around finding their voice.

In early August, WordTheatreUK Ltd brought a large-scale original production, The Ocean: Our Liquid Universe, to the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire. The event was made possible with support from Ocean Rising, a nonprofit organisation that aims to increase awareness and interest in the ocean by integrating it across cultural sectors. The production featured a 38-piece orchestra, 12 actors and singers, together with oceanographic footage. More than 2,000 audience members experienced a blend of of literature, history, music, poetry and science designed to be both educational and entertaining. WordTheatreUK Ltd is exploring future opportunities to collaborate with Ocean Rising by bringing stories of the ocean to life through performances of literature it has inspired.

WordTheatreUK Ltd curated and presented two further productions during 2025. Words & Wickets: A Literary and Musical Celebration of Cricket sought to engage sport and literary audiences through performances in an intimate venue. Seasons of Yearning: Selections from Best British Short Stories 2011–2025 continued the charity's annual celebration of the Best British Short Stories series, edited by Nicholas Royle, introducing both established and emerging UK writers to new audiences. Stories from these productions have also been shared through the charity's free worldwide podcast, Short Story Specialists, and through WORDTheatre Campus, its free digital offering to under-resourced schools.

Overall, the period from December 2024 to November 2025 saw WordTheatreUK Ltd build upon its existing foundations and partnerships and bring its work to diverse audiences on stages large and small. Looking forward, the charity continues to develop ways in which it can inspire an interest in literature through both its adult and student programming.

Trustee Joanna Donohoe resigned on 4 November 2025 and the charity subsequently began looking for additional trustees.

Difference made to beneficiaries

Audiences reported increased enjoyment and appreciation of the literature being performed, with feedback highlighting the high level of craft in both the acting and writing presented. The Ocean: Our Liquid Universe in particular received positive feedback across generations, from audience members with little prior knowledge of the ocean through to marine biologists, demonstrating the ability of WordTheatreUK Ltd's storytelling to engage and inform. Emerging and lesser-known authors also expressed their appreciation at having their work included and brought to new audiences.

Wider benefit to society

The charity’s work contributes to the UK’s cultural landscape by making literary works more accessible and engaging, inspiring lifelong reading habits, and fostering dialogue around important social and artistic themes.

Performance against objectives

The trustees are pleased to report that the charity met its objective of delivering a consistent and more robust programme of events, maintaining accessible ticket pricing and supporting authors through public

readings. Financial performance was consistent with expectations, with income from ticket sales, donations and other support enabling the charity to sustain its programme of activities.

Fundraising activities

The charity received generous support from individual donors during the year, alongside ticket sale revenues. No professional fundraisers or commercial participators were engaged.

Future development

Increased expenditure on legal, governance and communications infrastructure during the year will strengthen the charity's operational capacity, supporting its ability to deliver more events and reach wider audiences in future periods.

Financial review

Review of the year

For the year ended 30 November 2025, the charity recorded income from donations, membership subscriptions, ticket sales and bank interest totalling £14,541 (2024: £18,530). Total expenditure amounted to £9,817 (2024: £12,233), primarily on programme delivery, support and governance costs. The charity generated a surplus for the year of £4,724 (2024: £6,297) and ended the year with net assets of £16,022 (2024: £11,298), represented by unrestricted funds.

Reserves policy

The trustees aim to maintain a level of reserves sufficient to meet at least five months of core operating costs to ensure the charity can meet its commitments and manage fluctuations in income. At the year end, unrestricted reserves stood at £16,022 (2024: £11,298), which is considered adequate in the context of current commitments and planned activity. The trustees will review the reserves level annually in light of projected activity, fundraising potential and operational risks.

Going concern

The trustees have assessed the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for at least 12 months from the date of approval of these financial statements. Given the level of reserves, the anticipated income from ticket sales and donations, and the ability to adjust expenditure if necessary, the trustees are satisfied that the going concern basis of preparation remains appropriate.

Investment powers and policy

Under the Articles of Association, the charity has the power to invest funds not immediately required for its purposes in such investments, securities, or property as the trustees think fit, subject to compliance with relevant statutory requirements. The charity does not currently hold any material financial investments, and surplus cash balances are held in interest-bearing bank accounts.

Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal risks facing the charity include variability in ticket sale income, reliance on donor support, and the potential impact of economic conditions on discretionary spending on cultural and literary events. These risks are mitigated by prudent budgeting, maintaining a reserves buffer, and developing relationships with a diverse base of donors and venues.

Factors affecting future financial performance

Future performance will be influenced by the success of upcoming events, continued donor engagement, and the charity's ability to adapt its delivery model to changing audience behaviours and economic conditions. Expenditure on governance, legal structures and communications during the year will support future growth and operational resilience.

Plans for future periods

Aims and objectives

The trustees intend to build on the charity's success in delivering high-quality live literature events and to extend the reach of its programme. The overarching aim remains to advance education by increasing public access to and engagement with literature through live performance and oral storytelling.

Planned activities

During the next financial year, WordTheatreUK Ltd plans to:

- Sustain the charity's efforts to platform exceptional writing from a variety of backgrounds and share it with a growing audience.

- Strengthen the charity's online presence to promote events and share content with a wider audience.

- Build on existing relationships with contributing members and recruit new ones.

- Continue developing relationships with authors and actors to broaden the repertoire of works performed.

Strategies for achievement

To achieve these objectives, the charity will focus on strategic partnerships, careful programming to ensure artistic quality, and targeted marketing to reach new audience segments. Fundraising efforts will continue to support the programme while keeping ticket prices affordable.

Resourcing the plans

Activities will be funded through a combination of ticket income, individual donations and support from the charity's US member organisation. The trustees will monitor expenditure closely to ensure financial sustainability.

Long-term vision

In the longer term, the charity aims to establish WordTheatreUK Ltd as a recognised fixture in the UK's cultural calendar, known for presenting literature in an accessible, engaging and thought-provoking way and for fostering an interest in literature among audiences across the country.

The trustees' annual report and the strategic report were approved on 21 August 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

S M Kenis

Trustee

WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Company Limited by Shares

Chartered Accountant's Report to the Board of Trustees on the Preparation of the Unaudited Statutory Financial Statements of WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Year ended 30 November 2025

In order to assist you to fulfil your duties under the Companies Act 2006, we have prepared for your approval the financial statements of WORDTheatreUK Ltd for the year ended 30 November 2025, which comprise the statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account), statement of financial position and the related notes from the charity's accounting records and from information and explanations you have given us.

As a practising member firm of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), we are subject to its ethical and other professional requirements which are detailed at www.icaew.com/en/members/regulations-standards-and-guidance.

This report is made solely to the board of trustees of WORDTheatreUK Ltd , as a body, in accordance with the terms of our engagement letter dated 21 July 2025. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the financial statements of WORDTheatreUK Ltd and state those matters that we have agreed to state to you, as a body, in this report in accordance with ICAEW Technical Release 07/16 AAF as detailed at www.icaew.com/compilation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than WORDTheatreUK Ltd and its board of trustees, as a body, for our work or for this report.

It is your duty to ensure that WORDTheatreUK Ltd has kept adequate accounting records and to prepare statutory financial statements that give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of WORDTheatreUK Ltd . You consider that WORDTheatreUK Ltd is exempt from the statutory audit requirement for the year.

We have not been instructed to carry out an audit or a review of the financial statements of WORDTheatreUK Ltd . For this reason, we have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given to us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the statutory financial statements.

Allen, West and Foster Chartered accountants

Omega Court 364-366 Cemetery Road Sheffield S11 8FT

21 August 2026

WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Company Limited by Shares

Statement of Financial Activities

(including income and expenditure account)

Year ended 30 November 2025

	2025		2024
	Unrestricted funds	Total funds	Total funds
Note	£	£	£

Income and endowments

Donations and legacies	5	9,372	9,372	13,450
Charitable activities	6	5,137	5,137	5,066
Investment income	7	32	32	14
		-------	-------	-------
Total income		14,541	14,541	18,530
		-------	-------	-------

Expenditure

Expenditure on charitable activities	8,9	9,817	9,817	12,233
		-------	-------	-------
Total expenditure		9,817	9,817	12,233
		-------	-------	-------

	-------	-------	-------
Net income and net movement in funds	4,724	4,724	6,297
	-------	-------	-------

Reconciliation of funds

Total funds brought forward	11,298	11,298	5,001
	-------	-------	-------
Total funds carried forward	16,022	16,022	11,298
	-------	-------	-------

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Company Limited by Shares

Statement of Financial Position

30 November 2025

	2025	2024
Note	£	£

Current assets

Cash at bank and in hand	17,822	12,198

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	13	1,800	900
		-------	-------
Net current assets		16,022	11,298
		-------	-------
Total assets less current liabilities		16,022	11,298
		-------	-------
Net assets		16,022	11,298
		-------	-------

Funds of the charity

Unrestricted funds		16,022	11,298
		-------	-------
Total charity funds	14	16,022	11,298
		-------	-------

For the year ending 30 November 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

- The member has not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476 ;

- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements .

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 21 August 2026 , and are signed on behalf of the board by:

S M Kenis

Trustee

WORDTheatreUK Ltd

Company Limited by Shares

Notes to the Financial Statements

Year ended 30 November 2025

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by shares, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 41 Rylett Crescent, London, W12 9RP, England.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Disclosure exemptions

The charity is a public benefit entity and qualifies as a small entity under the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of FRS 102 applicable to small entities (Section 1A) and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102). In preparing these financial statements, the charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemptions available to small entities: The requirement to present a statement of cash flows and related notes; The requirement to disclose key management personnel compensation in total; and The requirement to provide the full disclosures required by Sections 11 and 12 of FRS 102 in respect of financial instruments. These financial statements are presented in the format required by the Charities SORP and the Companies Act 2006 for small charitable companies.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. These estimates and judgements are continually reviewed and are based on experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment. Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income: - income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably. - legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established. - income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers. - income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.

Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates: - expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non-charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods. - expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities. - other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.

All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.

4. Constitution and share capital

The company is limited by shares and has one ordinary share of £1, which is fully paid and held by the sole member, WordTheatre. The share carries voting and membership rights but no right to income or capital, including on a winding up.

5. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
£	£	£	£

Donations

	Donations	9,197	9,197	13,450	13,450

Subscriptions

Membership	175	175	–	–
	------	------	-------	-------
	9,372	9,372	13,450	13,450
	------	------	-------	-------

6. Charitable activities

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Event ticket sales	5,137	5,137	5,066	5,066
	------	------	------	------

7. Investment income

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Bank interest receivable	32	32	14	14
	----	----	----	----

8. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£	£	£
Programme delivery and events	5,660	5,660	950	950
Support costs	4,157	4,157	11,283	11,283
	------	------	-------	-------
	9,817	9,817	12,233	12,233
	------	------	-------	-------

9. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

	Activities undertaken directly	Support costs	Total funds 2025	Total fund 2024
	£	£	£	£
Programme delivery and events	5,660	1,155	6,815	6,465
Governance costs	–	3,002	3,002	5,768
	------	------	------	-------
	5,660	4,157	9,817	12,233
	------	------	------	-------

10. Analysis of support costs

	General charitable activities	Total 2025	Total 2024
	£	£	£
Communications and IT	752	752	112
Finance costs	66	66	955
Governance costs	2,936	2,936	9,813
Insurance	403	403	403
	------	------	-------
	4,157	4,157	11,283
	------	------	-------

11. Staff costs

The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2024: Nil).

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).

12. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration was paid to trustees in the period (2024: Nil) nor were any expenses reimbursed to them (2024: Nil).

13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

	2025	2024
	£	£
Accruals and deferred income	1,800	900
	------	----

14. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

	At 1 Dec 2024	Income	Expenditure	At 30 Nov 2025
	£	£	£	£
General funds	11,298	14,541	(9,817)	16,022
	-------	-------	------	-------

	At 1 Dec 2023	Income	Expenditure	At 30 Nov 2024
	£	£	£	£
General funds	5,001	18,530	(12,233)	11,298
	------	-------	-------	-------

15. Analysis of net assets between funds

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2025
	£	£
Current assets	17,822	17,822
Creditors less than 1 year	(1,800)	(1,800)
	-------	-------
Net assets	16,022	16,022
	-------	-------

	Unrestricted Funds	Total Funds 2024
	£	£
Current assets	12,198	12,198
Creditors less than 1 year	(900)	(900)
	-------	-------
Net assets	11,298	11,298
	-------	-------