HARROGATE THEATRE
ANNUAL REVIEW 2025/2026
“ [OUR SON] HAS THOROUGHLY ENJOYED HIS TIME WITH HARROGATE YOUTH THEATRE AND WE WERE VERY PROUD AND DELIGHTED TO WATCH HIM WHEN HE PERFORMED RECENTLY. PLEASE PASS ON TO ALL THE STAFF MEMBERS OUR WARM THANKS FOR THE TIME THEY HAVE GIVEN [HIM] AND ALL THE OTHER KIDS. IT WAS FANTASTIC TO SEE SO MANY YOUNG ADULTS HAVING SO MUCH CONFIDENCE UP ON THE STAGE AND ENJOYING DRAMA TOGETHER.” Harrogate Youth Theatre parent “ TONIGHT OUR LITTLE SUPERSTAR GOT HIS FIRST TASTE OF THE BIG STAGE AT HARROGATE THEATRE ORGANISED THROUGH HIS SCHOOL. PROUD PARENTS RIGHT HERE. THANKS SO MUCH TO KAREN AT HARROGATE THEATRE WHOSE PATIENCE, EXPERIENCE AND ENTHUSIASM REALLY HELPED THE CHILDREN EACH HAVE THEIR MOMENT TO SHINE ON STAGE. HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO HAVE MOMENTS LIKE THIS.” After school club parent “ THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT IN SETTING UP AND RUNNING OUR SHOW DURING ITS VISIT TO HARROGATE. THIS IS MY FIRST VISIT TO THIS BEAUTIFUL THEATRE AND YOU CAN TELL A LOT ABOUT A VENUE FROM THE STAFF. YOUR SUPPORT AND CAN-DO ATTITUDE MEAN VERY MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO RETURNING WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY ALLOWS.” Deputy stage manager on a visiting show “ OUR TRIP TO YOUR THEATRE COMPLETELY OPENED THEIR EYES TO THE MAGIC OF THEATRE AND TOOK THEM ON AN ADVENTURE THEY HAD NEVER BEEN ON BEFORE.” Harrogate College on Jack and the Beanstalk “ I BROUGHT MY WIFE TO THURSDAY’S PERFORMANCE, AND DESPITE HER BEING WHEELCHAIR-BOUND IT WAS GREAT. I JUST WANTED TO SEND MY THANKS TO ALL THE STAFF, THEY WERE SO HELPFUL AND WE WILL CERTAINLY BE BACK. PLEASE PASS MY THANKS ONTO ALL, IT MADE A THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE EVENING.” Audience member
WELCOME From Ann M Green CBE, Chair
are beginning to resolve major issues concerning the building and the future sustainability of our theatre. Change does take time, but we can see positive steps are being taken.
WHAT A YEAR! SOME GREAT SUCCESSES, SOME INTERESTING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PROGRAMMING AND SOME CONSTRUCTIVE TEAMWORK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR BUILDING.
Acknowledging the cost-of-living issues faced by many, we continue to build working partnerships to ensure greater co-operation across businesses, we seek to broaden other partnerships and we have launched a new membership scheme – all so that we can enable more people to enjoy the theatre and all it has to offer.
This welcome is an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable year of creativity, dedication and community spirit. From performances on stage to the many hours of work behind the scenes, this theatre continues to thrive because of the passion and commitment of so many people — performers, volunteers, staff, supporters and audiences alike. As we look back on the past year, we celebrate not only the performances and achievements, but also the friendships formed, the opportunities created and the important role this theatre plays in bringing people together. It is heartening to tell you, that with some pressure, the Councillors and Officers at North Yorkshire Council
As we are all aware, additional funding is becoming more and more difficult to achieve, despite the innovative and entrepreneurial manner displayed by our team. Our sponsors have been and continue to be amazingly generous. We thank them all, especially our Primary Partner Bob Partridge, Vet Dentist, whose unwavering support provides stability in challenging times. Thank you for being part of our continuing journey and for your continued support. As we review the year, recognise contributions, and look ahead with excitement and confidence to the future we would love to hear from you, love to work with you and love to know what you feel about our future.
OVERVIEW OF
PERFORMANCES
4%
2025/2026
4.3%
increase
increase
6%
1.4%
increase
increase
12%
increase
Average ticket yield £27.25
(24/25 £26.29)
Total bookers in 25/26 36,527 (35,021 24/25)
Average attendance of 75%
(74% 24/25)
Total tickets sold in 25/26 129,060 (115,112 24/25)
Total income in 25/26 £3,370,135
(£3,181,870 24/25)
ONLINE REACH 19k followers on Facebook 7.7k followers on Instagram 1.9k followers on TikTok, 191k views 49k newsletter subscribers
contribution + £10m estimated to Harrogate’s local economy In 25/26 there has been a phenomenal 270 performances over 12 months. This is an increase of almost 5% year on year, showing the incredible appetite for the quality and range of live performance Harrogate Theatre delivers. Harrogate Theatre is operated by the Harrogate (White Rose) Theatre Trust team who programme events not just at Harrogate Theatre but also at the Royal Hall, Harrogate Convention Centre and in step-free spaces across the town. Harrogate Theatre is an important cornerstone in Harrogate’s cultural offer, contributing to Harrogate being a highly desirable place to live and visit. With the survival of the high street becoming ever more precarious, a strong cultural offer drives visitors into our town centre and generates secondary spend in retail, bars, restaurants and hotels, supporting Harrogate’s local economy. Harrogate Theatre’s programming contributes an estimated £10 million to the local economy.
THE THEATRE’S
125TH BIRTHDAY EVENTS
A Night at the Theatre HARROGATE THEATRE FIRST OPENED ITS DOORS ON 13 JANUARY 1900. 125 YEARS LATER, WE PROUDLY CELEBRATED THIS REMARKABLE MILESTONE IN THE THEATRE’S HISTORY. THE EVENTS FEATURED ON THIS PAGE SHOWCASE JUST SOME OF THE CREATIVITY, GENEROSITY AND COMMUNITY SPIRIT THAT MADE OUR ANNIVERSARY YEAR SO MEMORABLE. Our anniversary celebrations began in style with a gala performance of Beauty and the Beast on Wednesday 15th January. The magical evening welcomed audiences with party bags, balloons and birthday cake, creating a truly festive atmosphere. A postshow Q&A with the cast provided a fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into the production and was a particular highlight of the evening. The 125th anniversary year was filled with special events, fundraising activities and new initiatives designed to celebrate our past while supporting our future. While we did not quite reach our ambitious fundraising target of £125,000, the year was an outstanding success, bringing together audiences, supporters, artists and volunteers in a shared celebration of Harrogate Theatre.
Our six community groups came together to perform in A Night At The Theatre, to support the theatre’s anniversary fundraising efforts towards the refurbishment of the dressing rooms. The groups also generously gave up their time to implement the refurbishment. We are incredibly grateful for the support of these multi-talented groups for sharing their time and talent with us. Pantomime Horse Race in partnership with Ripon Races In August, Harrogate Theatre took the fun of pantomime to Ripon Races for a Harrogate Theatre Pantomime Horse Race. From entertaining spectators in the parade ring to the professional commentary, it was a brilliant way to bring community groups together to raise the profile of the theatre and raise money for our 125th anniversary. Launch of Harrogate Theatre merchandise We developed a unique range of merchandise to celebrate the heritage of our beloved building and support fundraising endeavours. Alongside the creation of beautifully illustrated prints and cards by local artist India Smith, we developed Harrogate Theatre’s very own gin, flavoured with the history of Harrogate Theatre itself. Sheer Luck Holmes We held a Halloween fundraising murder mystery dinner at the Yorkshire Hotel. The interactive Sheer Luck Holmes dining experience combined a two course meal with live entertainment, encouraging audience participation while raising funds to support the theatre’s fundraising campaign. The meals were kindly donated to the theatre by Simon Cotton of the HRH Group.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK November 2025 – January 2026
WRITTEN BY DAVID BOWN WITH ADDITIONAL MATERIAL BY MARCUS ROMER, TIM STEDMAN AND MICHAEL LAMBOURNE
DIRECTED BY MARCUS ROMER
We were also thrilled to be voted Best Christmas Experience at the Harrogate Mumbler Awards for the previous year’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. This is the third consecutive year Harrogate Theatre’s pantomime has been voted Best Christmas Experience and shows the strong connection between family audiences and Harrogate Theatre.
Jack and the Beanstalk was a giant of a pantomime, welcoming huge audiences of all ages to Harrogate Theatre across the festive season. Our writer, David Bown, was nominated by the UK Pantomime Association for Best Script. Being shortlisted from a field of over 600 pantomimes is an incredible achievement for the theatre and everyone who works on the show.
Harrogate Theatre’s pantomime is sponsored by Vet Dentist. Additional in-show sponsorship came from Verity Frearson, Your Harrogate, Mama Doreen’s Emporium, Kempston Parkes Chartered Surveyors and Harrogate BID. This raises funds to support the theatre all year round and gives local businesses an association with a strong family product in an innovative, eye-catching way.
BASED ON AN IDEA BY PHIL LOWE
99% of the audience rated the performance as good or very good.
“WITH GREAT BANTER, IMPRESSIVE COSTUMES AND A CAST CLEARLY ENJOYING EVERY MOMENT, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK IS A MAGICAL FAMILY PANTO THAT DELIVERS GIANT-SIZED DOLLOPS OF FUN.” The Reviews Hub
“I HAVEN’T BEEN TO THE THEATRE BEFORE. IT WAS FANTASTIC, IT WENT BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD!” Audience member
Jack and the Beanstalk played to 10,893 (7,851 24/25) ice creams sold
39%
increase 87% capacity
92% capacity on non-school performances
1 in 3 audience members bought an ice cream
“1000/10 WOULD RECOMMEND” Audience member “THIS YEAR’S PRODUCTION OF JACK AND THE BEANSTALK IS BURSTING WITH COLOUR, SPARKLE AND JOY. A MAGICAL NIGHT FOR EVERY GENERATION.” Harrogate Mumbler
+£2.14m economic impact on the town
733 tickets sold to youth groups
7,266 tickets to 66 local schools
31,118 tickets sold
CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT Harrogate Theatre’s Creative Engagement department is generously supported by the Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation. This enables us to deliver high quality theatre activities to children and young people through Harrogate Youth Theatre and our work in primary schools across the Harrogate district. Harrogate Youth Theatre has had additional public funding through the Big Give.
Harrogate Youth Theatre
After School Clubs
Harrogate Youth Theatre continues to deliver exceptional theatre-based activity to children and young people. Participants develop self-esteem, explore their imaginations and create long lasting friendships.
By operating After School Clubs directly from primary schools across the town and district at a subsidised price, we are proud to be widening access to theatre for pupils from a range of backgrounds, experiences and abilities.
5
130
children and young people aged 5–18 took part in Harrogate Youth Theatre across the year
productions
9
performances
Harrogate Youth Theatre performed on Harrogate Theatre’s Main Stage and in the Studio Theatre as they presented an artistic programme of work which shone a light on their experience of the world around them and their passions. This year saw: • The 5–7-year-olds being inspired by famous artwork and imagining how it was created. • Our 8–10-year-olds devising their own mystery plays. • The 11–14-year-olds getting to grips with scripts, bringing history up to date. • Our 15–18-year-olds performing impassioned and deeply moving self-written work on the pressure of exams and keeping up with those around them.
7
after school clubs
14
after school club performances
“ WHEN I GOT HOME [AFTER THE SHOW] I HAD A DANCE PARTY IN MY KITCHEN I WAS SO HAPPY.” 8–10s performer feedback “ THE PIECE WAS POWERFUL BECAUSE IT BLENDED COMEDY AND SADNESS - IT WAS A JOURNEY FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED AND I’M REALLY GLAD WE DID IT TOGETHER.” 15+ performer feedback “ IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR SCHOOL YEAR WHEN HARROGATE THEATRE COME IN TO PROVIDE AN AFTER SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB. CHILDREN REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO THIS YEAR ON YEAR AND ARE ALWAYS KEEN TO TAKE PART AGAIN.” Sarah Rowntree Starbeck Primary Academy
Work Experience Harrogate Theatre’s work experience programme was reimagined in 2025/26 to enable more young people who are considering a career in the performing arts to get a taster of what the various roles in a regional theatre are like. The application process is designed to mimic how they will apply for jobs in the real world and then a group of 10 students join the theatre for a week. Across their placement, our 2025 cohort devised and delivered their own theatre tour for a group of local school children, worked with the production team, ushered a show, interviewed a programmer, created social media content and interrogated how we fundraise. By gaining an insight into the wide range of roles at the theatre, students leave with a rounded knowledge of theatre and a sense of which area they might like to pursue a career in.
Storytime at Harrogate Library Harrogate Theatre delivers free Storytime events at Harrogate Library, which nurture a love of performing stories and introduces theatre to young families. The Storytime sessions see the theatre practitioner share the magic of storytelling with under 5s, encouraging them to take part in the story with actions, sounds and words to develop early language skills. This work also signposts families to our Little Stages productions – a series of performances created and performed for families.
Cream tea tours in partnership with Mama Doreen’s Emporium Combining a theatre tour with a delicious locally made cream tea is proving to be an irresistible offer for those looking to learn more about their favourite local theatre. Independent Harrogate baking emporium Mama Doreen’s, provide the perfect sweet treat as a finale to our fascinating theatre tours. A great example of local businesses working in harmony with each other.
Sound Baths The introduction of Sound Baths on Stage opened up a new way for our audiences to experience the magic of the Harrogate Theatre stage. Surrounded by the beauty of the theatre’s historic architecture, participants lie on the stage and are immersed in the soothing frequencies of crystal bowls. A truly unique way of bringing mindfulness and the theatre together. “When the sound settles and the energy, the shared space, and the architecture quietly hold us in silence, it’s in that stillness, I witness a truly magical moment, one I will always cherish.” Samantha Scahill on Sound Baths at Harrogate Theatre
COMMUNITY
Harrogate Theatre is proud to be the home venue of a number of brilliant community theatre groups who bring fantastic performances and well-known titles to our stages. They enable a huge number of talented local people of all ages to experience the joy of treading our boards. 9,679 people enjoyed seeing community productions in 25/26.
The Harrogate Dramatic Society June
The Harrogate Dramatic Society October
RAOS Musical Theatre Company April
The Harrogate Dramatic Society April
HOPS Musical Theatre Company June
Woodlands Drama Group June
Harrogate St. Andrew’s Players October
Woodlands Drama Group December
The Harrogate Dramatic Society February
Harrogate Phoenix Players March
Bringing together our six community theatre companies in our 125th anniversary year is more than a celebration, it’s a testament to the strength and passion behind Harrogate’s community theatre scene. We are incredibly grateful for all of their support and look forward to many more wonderful community productions coming to the theatre for years to come.” David Bown Chief Executive on A Night At The Theatre
THANK YOU Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our success in the past year. Whether you’ve bought a ticket, been on a theatre tour, taken part in a workshop, performed on our stages, worked backstage, given up your time to volunteer, become a Harrogate Theatre Member or sponsored our work, we are truly grateful for your support.
Professional services in To our wonderful ushers sponsors and supporters relation to buyingTo andour selling property under one roof.... 12,684 hours volunteered • Defect Analysis over 3171 duties • Home Buyers Report • Building Surveys • Party Wall Act • Property Valuations • Land Registry Site Plans by 110 ushers. Thank you to each and every one of them!
For no obligation Harrogate Theatre is incredibly fortunate to haveadvice a large call usaon 01423welcome 789111 volunteer team of ushers who provide warm to all visitors, ably directing patrons around the building, selling ice creams and confectionery and helping the team to tidy up after each performance. We’re incredibly thankful that they give their time and help us to welcome over 115,000 visitors to our events each year.
Moving forward 26/27 As we look ahead to 2026/2027 there’s a lot to be optimistic about, alongside a number of challenges. There are so many ways you can help us to deliver our outstanding programme of work and creative opportunities for Harrogate’s residents and visitors. From sponsoring our extensive work with young people, the artistic offer, working with us or supporting the Trust to upgrade the facilities within this magnificent Grade II Listed Building.
Get in touch to arrange a chat to find out more: David Bown, Chief Executive david.bown@harrogatetheatre.co.uk For information regarding sponsorship: Natalie Rawel, Head of Marketing and Development natalie.rawel@harrogatetheatre.co.uk For outreach and education: Hannah Draper, Director of Creative Engagement hannah.draper@harrogatetheatre.co.uk
With Thanks:
Harrogate (White Rose) Theatre Trust Ltd., Registered Charity No.225342. Registered Office: Oxford Street, Harrogate, HG1 1QF.