Support Us
SHAKESPEARE-A-THON
Creation Theatre Company put on a very special fundraising event on Saturday
25 April at Oxford Castle. Along with over 40 volunteers, all 37 plays
of Shakespeare were recited in least in part in just one day to raise
funds for Creation.
A huge thank you to everyone who gave up some of their time to join in
and read, and to those who sponsored their friends and family. We will
update this page soon with how much the event raised.
BECOME A FRIEND
OF CREATION
NEW FRIENDS OPTIONS ANNOUNCED! Click
here
"Give me your hands, if we be friends" - A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
We believe passionately in the power of theatre to transform and transport. If you enjoy Creation Theatre Company's productions and would like to get to know the company better why not support us by joining the FRIENDS OF CREATION?
And it's the ideal gift for theatre lovers!
To
become a Friend of Creation click
here.
For more information click
here
SAVE CREATION THEATRE COMPANY
DONATE
NOW - Click here
Registered charity number 1119379
Our latest winter show Hans Christian Andersen's Magical Tales attracted 12,500 people, bringing our audience total to over over 315,000 in the last 13 years. However, our last two open air seasons were plagued with disastrous weather which leaves Creation facing financial ruin.
If we survive until summer 2009 we will use creative covered spaces, canopies or other inventive weather solutions to continue producing amazing theatre in Oxford. Can you please help to get us there?
THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN SO FAR...
updated 21 January 2009
The fundraising drive began in February 2008 to raise £250,000
by summer 2009.
So far we have raised £82,000
towards this target. (updated 28/01/09)
The poor weather in the summers of 2007 and 2008 put a record number of people off booking - consequently the future of Creation is uncertain. We need funds to improve all aspects of the company’s work but especially to go towards a portable covered venue such as the Mirror Tent we use in the winter months, or a käta (Swedish tent) to protect audiences from the elements after two unusually wet summers.
David Parrish, Producer and Artistic Director, explains that ‘it is obvious both to the trustees of the charity and to myself, that if we do manage to reach summer 2009 we need a canopy, roof or tent to give people confidence to buy tickets in advance, and so that we can continue to perform in such wonderful venues as Oxford Castle and Headington Hill Park’.
We are Oxfordshire’s largest producing theatre company, and one of the biggest open-air theatre companies in the country. Yet we have so far survived almost wholly on ticket revenue. In 2007, the company registered as a charity and attracted donors who enabled Creation to continue trading after last summer’s flooding. 2008's poor weather has meant that despite arranging a large overdraft, donations are still desperately needed to ensure Creation's survival.
Since its first show, Creation has welcomed over 315,000 audience members and made a significant cultural and economic mark in Oxford. Known for producing theatre in extraordinary locations such as Oxford Castle, BMW Group Plant Oxford, Magdalen College School’s island in the River Cherwell, The Mirror Tent, St Michael at the North Gate, The North Wall and Headington Hill Park, Creation has also dedicated much of its time to providing an extensive county-wide education programme for children and young people of all backgrounds.
Following the unprecedented flooding of summer 2007, Creation produced its most successful Christmas show to date, Tales from the Brothers Grimm, in the Mirror Tent, and an acclaimed production of Measure for Measure, which sold out most performances in advance. In June, the company was awarded the Arts and Business Sustainability Award together with BMW Group Plant Oxford, Cowley Road Festival, Oxford Philomusica and Oxford Inspires. In July the company received an award as an Investor in Education in recognition of its work experience programme for teenagers. Despite reviews and customer feedback being overwhelmingly positive, summer 2008 unfortunately saw a repeat of 2007's lack of sunshine which put many off booking to devastating effect. For the winter season Creation brought back the stunning Mirror Tent to BMW Group Plant Oxford for Hans Christian Andersen's Magical Tales, which was seen by over 12,500 people. However, the future of Creation is still dependent on reaching our fundraising target.
Read about our fundraising campaign in
the Oxford Mail:
Friday
15th August 2008 | Thursday
21st August 2008 | Friday
29th August 2008
- Do you enjoy our work?
- Do you support theatre produced in Oxfordshire which makes a positive impact on the community?
- Do you want us to put on more shows in exciting venues?
- Do you think more people should enjoy live theatre?
- Do you want us to deliver even more drama education work for children, young people and adults?
If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, please donate today.
“We’ve felt for years that we were very lucky that your
company exists in our home area offering generations of newcomers the
startling revelation that live Shakespeare is more gripping than anything
on TV. I for one won’t ever forget last night’s experience
in the castle courtyard.”
Jon, Wallingford
HOW TO SUPPORT US
DONATE
NOW - Click here
Alternatively, please phone our Box Office on 01865 766266, or send a
cheque payable to Creation Theatre Company to 3rd Floor, Cherwell House,
1-5 London Place, Oxford, OX4 1BD.
You can also set up a standing order by downloading
the form (PDF Format - you need to have Adobe
Acrobat Reader installed on your pc to access this file - download
here if required - Creation are not liable for the content of any
external websites) and sending it to us (not your bank) at the
address above. Regular donations of this type help us plan our budgets
more efficiently and break down the cost to you.
TAX EFFICIENT GIVING
There are a number of ways to increase the size of your donation at no extra cost to you – and if you are a higher rate tax payer giving to charity could even save you money!
If you pay income tax, we can claim the equivalent amount of tax you paid on the donation amount back from the government. Simply tick the Gift Aid declaration on the standing order form or tell us over the phone that you are happy for us to claim Gift Aid. In order for a donation to qualify for Gift Aid you must pay an amount of Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax at least equal to the tax that the charity reclaims on your donations in the appropriate tax year (currently 25p for each £1 you give). For Gift Aid terms and conditions, click here for pdf document.
If you are a higher rate tax payer you can also claim higher rate tax
relief in your tax return (at the difference between the higher rate and
the basic rate).
For instance, a £60 donation is currently worth
£75 to us. From April 2008 the tax benefits to
you are even greater!
OTHER
WAYS TO GIVE
There are many ways to donate, including giving
the gift of shares and legacy giving. For further information about these
tyoes of donation, please email
us.
Marathon runner races for Creation
On Sunday 19 October 2008 Creation fan Steve Rayson ran the Abingdon
Marathon to raise funds for Creation. He completed the 26.2 mile course
in under 4 hours!
Left to right: Steve training, and Steve after the marathon with some of the Creation team who cheered him on.
Steve said, “I wanted to run the marathon for a charity the money will make a real difference to.” He raised the fantastic total of £9076.00 for Creation, all of which he added to Creation’s fundraising target.