NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE TRUST LIMITED

What NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE TRUST LIMITED does

Nottingham Playhouse Trust Limited is a registered charity (Charity No: 1109342, Company No: 5384418) operating one of the UK's principal regional producing theatres from a single venue on Wellington Circus, Nottingham. The organisation stages large-scale Main Stage productions, intimate Neville Studio work, and an annual family pantomime, supplemented by an extensive accessibility programme (audio description via Sennheiser MobileConnect, BSL interpretation, captioning, relaxed, chilled, and dementia-friendly performances, touch tours, and the Extant-partnered Enhance programme for visually impaired audiences). Ancillary services include theatre workshops for schools, youth and community programmes, venue hire of three spaces (Main Stage, Neville Studio, Ustinov Room), and a digital library of multimedia content.

The business operates a hybrid revenue model combining transactional, subscription, service, and grant income. Earned revenue is generated through individual ticket sales (£14.50–£46.50 per ticket plus a £2.50 booking fee), two membership tiers — Playhouse Pass at £40/year and Playhouse Pass Premium at £120/year — venue hire, and schools workshops priced £200–£600+VAT per session. Public and philanthropic income flows through Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation designation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation grants, charitable donations, corporate sponsorship, and trusts/foundations support. Distribution is direct-to-consumer via an own-box-office website, phone, and in-person channels, supplemented by group booking arrangements with schools, youth groups, and charities through the Community Club scheme.

The theatre is strategically embedded in a UK regional co-production network alongside Leeds Playhouse, Headlong, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Home Manchester, Birmingham Rep, and Actors Touring Company, and partners with commercial producers (KPPL Productions, Mark Gordon Pictures, Eilene Davidson Productions) on touring productions such as the Punch UK Tour 2027. Operational technology is standard theatre infrastructure centred on accessibility hardware and direct booking systems rather than proprietary platforms; no AI, software product, or proprietary technology stack is disclosed.

Name

NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE TRUST LIMITED

Legal name

Nottingham Playhouse Trust Ltd.

Website

https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Nottingham Playhouse Trust Limited is a registered UK charity operating a regional producing theatre in Nottingham, staging Main Stage and studio productions plus pantomime, and generating revenue from ticket sales, memberships, venue hire, schools workshops, and Arts Council England grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre and Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Musical Theatre (Non-Broadway/Fringe) (MPAGABAG), Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB), Community & Amateur Theatre (MPAGABAD)

Keywords

• Live theatre productions
• Performing arts services
• Theatrical accessibility services
• Community theatre programmes
• Theatre venue hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Nottingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from sale of tickets to theatrical productions and performances. Variable pricing based on production type, performance time, and seat selection. Standard booking fee of £2.50 per order.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership programme with two tiers: Playhouse Pass (£40/year) offering priority booking, up to 25% discounts on select shows, and bar discounts; Playhouse Pass Premium (£120/year) offering enhanced benefits including free programmes and exchanges.
3. Venue Hire: Revenue from hiring theatre spaces including Main Stage, Neville Studio, Ustinov Room, and Company spaces to external clients for events and productions.
4. Workshops and Educational Programmes: Fees from theatre workshops delivered at schools and Nottingham Playhouse, including bespoke workshops for key stages and SEN schools, and participation programmes.
5. Corporate Support and Donations: Charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, and support through trusts and foundations to fund community engagement programmes and accessible theatre initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Nottingham Playhouse Trust Limited is a registered charity operating a regional theatre that produces and presents live theatrical productions in two performance spaces (Main Stage and Neville Studio), complemented by an annual pantomime season. It sells tickets, memberships, and venue hire, and delivers educational workshops, community engagement programmes, and accessibility services including audio description, BSL interpretation, captioned, relaxed, chilled, and dementia-friendly performances.

Product overview

Nottingham Playhouse is a regional theatre presenting world-class productions across two performance spaces. The core offering consists of Main Stage productions in the main auditorium and intimate shows in the Neville Studio, supplemented by an annual pantomime season. Accessibility services including Touch Tours, Audio Description (via Sennheiser MobileConnect), BSL Interpretation, Captioning, Relaxed, Chilled, and Dementia Friendly Performances are integral add-on modules. Additional offerings include the Playhouse Pass membership programme, the Amplify artist development initiative, educational workshops and school programmes, youth group discounts, Community Club for charities, and venue hire. The theatre also provides a Digital Library of multimedia content and partners with Extant for the 'Enhance' visually impaired access programme.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Stage Productions Large-scale theatrical productions staged in the main auditorium, featuring original plays, adaptations, and touring shows open to the general public.
• Neville Studio Productions Studio-scale productions staged in the intimate Neville Studio space, offering emerging artists and experimental work opportunities to the general public.
• Pantomime Season Annual family pantomime productions including titles such as Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella, presented during the Christmas season.
• Playhouse Pass Membership Annual theatre membership programme offered in Standard (£40/year) and Premium (£120/year) tiers, providing priority booking, ticket discounts, and exclusive member benefits.
• Theatre Workshops Bespoke drama workshops delivered at schools or at Nottingham Playhouse, covering various key stages and themes; pricing starts at £200+VAT per 90-minute session.
• Schools Programme Educational visits for school groups offering discounted student tickets at £14-£15 each, one free teacher per 10 students, no deposits, and extended payment deadlines.
• Youth Groups Programme Discounted theatre visits for organised youth groups offering special pricing, backstage tour opportunities, and accessible performances.
• Venue Hire Rental of theatre spaces including Main Stage, Neville Studio, Ustinov Room, and Company spaces for corporate events, private functions, and external productions.
• Community Club Scheme Free membership scheme for charities and not-for-profit organisations providing discounted group tickets for groups of 10-50 people to access theatre productions.
• Extant 'Enhance' Programme Enhanced access service for visually impaired audiences developed in partnership with Extant, providing enhanced programme notes and touch tours funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England.
• Amplify Artist Development Artist development programme supporting theatre-makers in the East Midlands with workshops, mentorship, and performance opportunities including Neville Studio programming and ideas submissions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free teacher tickets with every 10 student tickets
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• FuelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFuel is a producing theatre company presenting 'Once Upon a Time in Sokoto' in association with Nottingham Playhouse and Touring Together. Fuel is known for innovative new writing and international touring productions.
• Touring TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTouring Together is a national programme bringing bold stories to audiences across the country. A China Plate and Fuel initiative in collaboration with Brighton Dome, Leeds Playhouse, Oxford Playhouse, Royal and Derngate Northampton, and Warwick Arts Centre. Supported by Arts Council England National Lottery funding.
• KPPL ProductionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Punch 2027' along with Mark Gordon Pictures and Eilene Davidson Productions.
• Mark Gordon PicturesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Punch 2027' alongside KPPL Productions and Eilene Davidson Productions.
• Eilene Davidson ProductionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'Punch 2027' alongside KPPL Productions and Mark Gordon Pictures.
• HeadlongmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'August Wilson's Fences' with Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, and Home Manchester.
• Leeds PlayhousemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular co-production partner on major productions including 'Fences' and 'Small Island'. Part of regional theatre network.
• Lyric Hammersmith TheatremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'August Wilson's Fences' with Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, and Home Manchester.
• Home ManchestermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of 'August Wilson's Fences' with Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.
• UK Productions LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation partner for 'The Beekeeper of Aleppo' touring production.
• Actors Touring CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation partner for 'Small Island' production alongside Leeds Playhouse and Birmingham Rep.
• ExtantcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Extant to deliver 'Enhance' programme providing innovative visually impaired access through enhanced programme notes and touch tours, distinct from standard audio description. Funded by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Manchester Royal Exchange: In-the-round regional producing theatre in Manchester with similar scale, producing model, and NPO funding framework. Directly comparable as a major UK regional producing venue.
• Royal & Derngate, Northampton: Regional producing theatre and Touring Together partner with comparable National Portfolio status, producing theatre model, and educational/community outreach programmes. Operates multiple performance spaces similar to Nottingham Playhouse's Main Stage and studio configuration.
• Sheffield Theatres: Multi-space regional producing theatre (Crucible, Lyceum, Studio) operating with similar Arts Council NPO framework and producing/co-production model. Comparable scale and audience proposition in a regional UK city.
• Headlong Theatre: Touring producing theatre company and co-production partner on Fences. Comparable in producing-led model, commissioning focus, and educational touring activity, though operating without a fixed venue.
• Leeds Playhouse: Regional producing theatre of comparable scale in the North of England, sharing co-production partnerships (Fences, Small Island) and National Portfolio status with Arts Council England. Directly comparable in size, programming model, and audience proposition.
• Bristol Old Vic: Historic UK producing theatre with comparable NPO status, mixed Main Stage and studio programming, and significant educational outreach. Closely aligned on producing theatre operating model and community access mission.
• Chichester Festival Theatre: Nationally significant producing theatre with strong co-production track record and festival-style programming, comparable in producing ambition and accessibility positioning.
• Birmingham Rep: Major UK regional producing theatre with similar producing theatre model, co-production partnerships (Small Island), and educational outreach. Directly comparable as a Midlands-based NPO theatre of similar scale and mission.
• Lyric Hammersmith Theatre: London-based producing theatre co-partner on Fences with Headlong, Leeds Playhouse, and Home Manchester. Comparable in producing model, accessibility provision, and young people's programming intensity.

Broad incumbents

• National Theatre: Largest UK publicly funded producing theatre and a partner of Nottingham Playhouse through national co-productions. Operates broader portfolio including West End transfers, large-scale tours, and digital distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/nottmplayhouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/nottinghamplayhouse
• Xx.com/nottmplayhouse

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NOTTINGHAM PLAYHOUSE TRUST LIMITED