"Excellent" audience figures enabled the Royal Shakespeare Company to report income of £61.3 million in 2013-14 despite a reduction in public investment, according to the company’s annual report.
The continued success of the RSC’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical and tighter control of overheads contributed to the income, almost 75% of which was self-generated. More than half came from box-office receipts totalling £32.5 million.
Fundraising fell by £500,000 to £3.6 million due to reductions in corporate sponsorship while public investment by Arts Council England fell by £900,000 to £15.7 million. However, royalties and other income from Matilda the Musical, Les Miserables and other sources raised £3.9 million.
Artistic director Gregory Doran said, “at the heart of the RSC lies a commitment to make the very best work and share it with the widest possible audience.
“This year we began our plan to stage all of Shakespeare’s 36 plays in the First Folio, making every play an event. We got off to a great start, reaching the biggest audience ever for a single performance of Shakespeare when we broadcast Richard II live to cinemas.
“We’ve responded to financial challenges with a confident programme and as a result we’ve seen a rise in audience numbers to 1.7 million. We’re building on strong foundations as we head towards 2015 and look forward to the 2016 jubilee year, when we will mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. I’m especially grateful to all our supporters for helping us achieve so much in this year.”
In 2013-14 there were 1,982 performances of 22 productions or co-productions in Stratford, London and on tour, playing to 88% capacity.
More than 100,000 people in cinemas across the UK saw David Tennant take the lead in Richard II.
Almost 2.5 million people have seen Matilda the Musical in the West End and on Broadway. It will tour to North America and Australia in 2015.
The stage adaptations of Hilary Mantel’s novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies became two of the RSC’s fastest-selling London transfers. They will open on Broadway in 2015.
RSC executive director Catherine Mallyon adds, “The RSC is the largest national theatre company based in the regions and we value our regional presence greatly, along with our ongoing partnerships with 20 other theatres locally and across the UK.
“Our work is made in Shakespeare’s home town and shared across the world. Last year RSC productions and co-productions toured for 48 weeks in the UK and overseas, and 450,000 young people experienced our education work.
"In 2015 and beyond, we will continue delivering our ambition to create a Shakespeare nation and to open up live theatre to the widest number and range of people.”
RSC president Prince Charles chaired the annual general meeting at which the 2013-14 report was made public.
The full report can be viewed on the RSC’s web site.