Breakaway Theatre Company
Annual General Meeting on Monday 05 October 2026, 8.00pm
AGENDA
- Chair’s Welcome
- Apologies
- Minutes of AGM held on 04 November 2025
- Chair’s Report
- Treasurer’s Report
- Election of Officers & Committee Members*
- AOB
The following Committee Members stood for Re-Election
Richard Hartless Treasurer
Ruth Ling Secretary
Anne Hollis Membership
Shelley Healy Committee Member
Natasha Inglis Committee Member
Manjit Rostom Committee Member
Standing for Election
Liz Mills Chair
Margie Skinner Committee Member
Committee member Anne Hollis joined the meeting by WhatsApp video link.
- Chair’s Welcome
Elaine thanked everyone for attending and noted that there were a mix of old and new faces.
- Apologies
Ruth Ling
Abi Giles
Kathryn Hearn
Martin John King
Natasha Inglis
- Minutes of AGM held on 4 November, 2025
The minutes were read and approved
Liz Mills asked the results of venue investigations. Elaine confirmed that there were no positive leads, due to cost, or theatres being too busy with their own productions to have room to host ours.
- Chair’s report (download)
In her report Elaine summarised events this year including our two performances ‘The Actress’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and mentioned our award nominations and actual awards.
The Committee will now increase from 6 to 7.
But there are many roles and responsibilities to take on, and it will help lighten the load if people step forward. So, if anyone thinks they have a skill that could support committee meetings then please let the Committee know.
Elaine and Richard still intending to move away from the area.
Richard will carry on in his role as Treasurer as that can be done remotely.
Currently in pre-production mode and will hopefully put on a show at the Maltings in February. Dates cannot be confirmed as the Theatre manager is currently away.
Elaine expressed how much she has loved being part of Breakaway and offered her support in all things for as long as she is here.
David Martin asked about the Spring 2027 play and Lesley Cowland confirmed that she will be directing and is still looking for a play, which may be an Alan Ayckbourn.
We all thanked Elaine.
- Treasurer’s report from Richard Hartless (download)
Richard advised that his report summarised the year’s finances and the pluses and minuses for the two productions.
Last year we made a small profit, even though we only put on one production (Ladies Down Under). This left us approx. £12,000 in our accounts.
For this year ‘s two productions the main costs were the Maltings fee (although we did get 25% reduction) and rehearsal costs.
For MSND there was obviously no licence fee, but we did spend on costumes which were hired from the Abbey.
Elaine mentioned that the Shakespeare workshop earlier in the year ran at a loss. We had to pay a hire fee and only asked a nominal fee from participants, but the committee thought setting this at The Maltings Theatre was important. They believe that this was a good investment as it encouraged interest from new participants and therefore new members, some of whom took part in MSND.
The committee is keen to not sit on money which we hold but where feasible and sensible to invest it to encourage new members.
In summary we made approx. £2000 profit across our two performances this year.
Richard briefly outlined the fixed costs such as insurance.
We have opened new online bank account with Lloyds but our HSBC account can only be closed by the previous signatories Clare and Margie! They will liaise with Richard to get this done.
Margie asked Richard if going forward he could have a look at costs for MSND, if we had only done one performance at IOP – bearing in mind that we would probably have had bigger audiences if no second venue.
Wendy has been very helpful. Relationships good with IOP. But is unlikely we will be able to go back to 6 performances there in summer.
OVO’s new theatre project The Barn will be competition.
Four new members joined the cast of MSND, and more local people attended our new Church venue in Chiswell Green.
Clare queried, just out of interest, why for MSND the performance fees waived and it was explained that some of the cast latecomers had to travel long distances and it seemed unfair to charge a perf fee to anyone.
David Martin mentioned that Sue was supported by her husband David Sachon
Manjit referenced a further request from St Peters church (for the last two years we did historic re-enactments for their open days, directed and produced by Shelley). This year we had to turn them down as we didn’t have the available people and the event clashed with other stuff. Shelley was acting in MSND and we simply could not accommodate it. It was mentioned that although a wonderful and valuable community event there is no financial gain for us and a lot of work involved in putting this on.
Elaine mentioned the positive connections we have made with the church. And the church is keen for us to use their space again.
We also have a good relationship with Mix FM.
- Election of Committee members and Officers
Those present introduced themselves.
Richard Hartless our Treasurer also does sound and lighting for productions and will be missed. We are keen for someone to shadow him and learn his technical skills, and/or to introduce new members who are capable in these areas. For the record, Richard occasionally acts as well!
Ruth will continue as secretary; unfortunately she was unable to attend tonight.
Manjit has been a member for 3 and a half years and is responsible for safeguarding.
Anne has been on the committee for a year. She is responsible for membership and has now produced a form, which needs approving by the Committee. Anne has also been a significant help with marketing.
Shelley has been on committee 11 years. Special talents are website, social media, flyers and programme design and printer liaison.
Natasha has valuable historical knowledge of all things Breakaway. And a finger on pulse of local theatre.
Margie wants to be back on board!
Our new chair Liz shared that she had been thinking of taking on the role of Chair as has faced many recent challenges and wants to bring ‘niceness ‘ back into her life. Liz has been in Breakaway 10 years both acting and helping in all manner of things backstage. Liz has the responsibilities of a young child but could not stand by and watch Breakaway fold as she felt it had been such a positive influence in her life. In the past Liz has also directed, operated lights and sound deck.
Liz’s rousing message is to ‘Build on the brilliance, and continue bringing more theatre to St Albans’.
There was universal excitement and optimism about Liz becoming new Chair.
- AOB
A joke was made about Margie being on the Committee and that we could therefore discuss Breakaway Hoodies again!
Elaine mentioned that she is working on the possibility of a 14 November pre–Xmas Breakaway get together at the King Harry pub.
Claire and Jason introduced themselves; they are both up for helping back stage and Jason has technical skills as well.
Liz asked about 2027 Shakespeare and we discussed doing that or other outside plays. For any date planning we would need to be mindful of avoiding clashes with other local theatre groups, and also liaising with Wendy at IOP.
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