The Duke's Playhouse Limited
Analysis
The Duke's Playhouse Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Lancaster. It was registered in April 1973, 53 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01077517). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Duke's Playhouse Limited reported income of £1.7m and spending of £1.9m, spending 110% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.0m to £1.7m (+65%), an average of +13% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 42%. Over the whole period it spent 98% 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 Duke's Playhouse Limited sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Deptford Challenge Trust Limited (£1.7m), Independent Cinema Office (£1.7m) and Theatr Mwldan (£1.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 65%, donations and legacies 17% and trading 8.8%. Charitable activities took 85% of spending and raising funds 11%. Reserves of £430k would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 30 people.
Data notes from the register: The latest annual return was received after its deadline.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 17%
- Charitable activities 65%
- Trading 8.8%
- Investments 0.8%
- Other 8.1%
In the charity's own words
Lancashire's only producing theatre and independent cinema has a diverse programme of performances and world cinema screenings including one of the biggest annual walkabout theatre events in the world and work by and for young people showcased in its own dedicated space, supported by an extensive creative learning programme.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Deptford Challenge Trust Limited | London | £1.7m |
| Independent Cinema Office | London | £1.7m |
| Theatr Mwldan | Ceredigion | £1.7m |
| Harmony Works Trust | Sheffield | £1.7m |