Reflecting on another successful year, Lighthouse Poole has published its Annual Impact Report.
The year 2023-2024 saw a 12 per cent increase in tickets sold as audiences responded enthusiastically to a programme of more than 1,000 performances that included high-profile drama such as SIX, The Full Monty and Twelve Angry Men, celebrity performances from the likes of Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller, and renowned visual artists such as Quentin Blake and Georgia O’Keeffe.
“I am delighted to report on a year that has been rewarding, challenging and ultimately successful,” says Chief Executive Elspeth McBain.
“We have recovered well post-Covid and worked hard to regain audiences and entice producers to bring shows, as well as to retain and increase earned income, such as ticket sales, room hire, food and beverage sales.
“While Lighthouse continues to receive public funding as an Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation and from BCP Council, in challenging financial times for local authorities, we are especially thankful for their continued support and endorsement of our work.”
The Creative Engagement programme provided 540 sessions for 3,731 young people, along with regular sessions with groups including Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus and Poole Leisure Painters that supported the development of performers and visual artists of all ages.
A vibrant hub for creativity, Lighthouse Academy offers young people opportunities to engage with a wide range of art forms and to nurture their own careers in the cultural industries.
As well as the Young Writers creative writing course, and Young Technicians with its direct career pathway into the technical team at Lighthouse, last year Lighthouse recruited its first Young Producers to work on the showpiece Poole Pride event.
Joli Stockley, a young person who trained with Lighthouse said: “The Young Technicians course made me passionate about wanting to pursue a career in sound, as I realised this is what I love doing.”
Having worked with 150 local people on its summer community play project SALT, Lighthouse is committed to supporting regional talent and, as part of its Sanctuary programme, worked with 100 artists to give them the space and support needed to make new work in Poole. Launched in 2020 in response to the challenges faced by artists during the Covid pandemic, the Sanctuary artist residency is an established feature of summer at Lighthouse when the Sherling Studio and Function Rooms are made available as artistic development spaces.
“Sanctuary offers a space for work to be made, seen and grow,” says Archie Rowell, artistic director of OffPiste Theatre, one of 25 artists and companies – 100 people in total – supported last year.
“I feel lucky to have met Lighthouse at this stage in my career.”
For emerging writers, the new Pipeline partnership with Dorset Scriptwriters has been a great success. Actors present rehearsed script-in-hand performances of curated works in front of an audience that is invited to pay what they can to contribute to covering actors’ expenses. Pot Licker, a new script presented at the first Pipeline is now scheduled to return to Lighthouse in March 2025 as a full production.
With the support of individual donors and sponsors, Lighthouse has been able to extend its work in the community and the success of last year’s Big Christmas Appeal meant some 2,000 tickets were given to children and families and other groups who otherwise would not have been able to enjoy the wonders of live theatre.
“Our annual Christmas Appeal once again exhibited the generosity of our community with funds enabling thousands of young people and local families to access performances and participate in the arts,” adds Elspeth.
Lighthouse continues to work alongside national events including Discover! Creative Careers Week, Shakespeare Schools Festival and the National Theatre’s NT Connections in which more than 120 young people performing on stages at Lighthouse, including groups from Westfield Arts College, Weymouth; Dorset School of Acting; Pure Drama; Love Theatre, Jersey; Black Cherry Youth Theatre; High Definition Drama; Swanage School; Colfox Academy, Bridport; QE School, Wimborne; and Poole High School.
The Annual Impact Report can be found online at
Annual Impact Report – Lighthouse
(NC)
