The Society for Theatre Research
Analysis
The Society for Theatre Research is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Oxford. It was registered in August 1973, 53 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending September 2025, The Society for Theatre Research reported income of £53k and spending of £45k, spending 85% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £34k to £53k (+54%), an average of +12% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 195%. Over the whole period it spent 60% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Society for Theatre Research sits at the 70th percentile: it is larger than about 70% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 61st percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Green Park Rural Centre (£53k), Aldridge Youth Theatre (£53k) and The Brewery Arts Centre Endowment Trust (£53k).
Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The society serves those interested in the history and technique of British Theatre by arranging public lectures, by publishing books and a thrice-yearly journal ('Theatre Notebook') and by awarding research grants to individuals and institutions. It awards an annual theatre book prize and stages the Poel Event, an annual workshop promoting good stage speech, most recently at the National Theatre.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Green Park Rural Centre | Fakenham | £53k |
| Aldridge Youth Theatre | Walsall | £53k |
| The Brewery Arts Centre Endowment Trust | Cumbria | £53k |
| The Flintshire U3a | Flintshire | £53k |