REVIEW 2008/09

2008/09 has been another exciting andchallenging year for Aberdeen Performing Arts(APA), one that takes us to the end of our first fiveyears of trading.

Financially, we have returned a surplus for the fifthyear in succession and have now reached thetargeted level of reserves that we set when thecompany was established.

In the earlier part of the year, we agreed to take on The Lemon Tree and successfully re-opened the venue in June 2008. The LemonTree programme has been gradually developed through the course of the year and the operation is now trading well and deliveringthe objectives we set out for the venue – providing an exciting location for contemporary and traditional live music, comedy, danceand small scale drama. One important objective was to promote the venue as a centre for new writing and this is being achievedthrough the drama programme.

The Lemon Tree has also resumed its former role as an important community resource for companies such as Va Va Voom, TheatreSerendipity and other community arts groups. The weekend lunchtime music sessions have also been revived and a successfulcatering operation established. However, the operation of the Lemon Tree, with the current levels of funding, remains a considerablechallenge and discussions with Scottish Arts Council officials are under way, with a view to securing increased funding for TheLemon Tree.

In a new departure, the company has embarked on the production of plays at both His Majesty’s Theatre and The Lemon Tree. Ourfirst three in-house productions, Sunset Song, Lest We Forget and The Life of Grassic Gibbon were successfully staged andsubsequently toured, winning the plaudits of public and press alike, raising the profile of the company nationally and promptingthe following tribute from Joyce MacMillan in The Scotsman in December 2008:

“This has been a remarkable year for theatre in Aberdeen. The new Aberdeen Performing Arts initiative was launched in September,with a heartfelt production of Sunset Song that toured to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness; the bankrupt Lemon Tree arts centrewas taken over and saved, and soon became host to a short season of new writing that should produce some exciting work over thenext few years. The City rounds off the year with one of the finest pantos in the season in Alan Cohen’s clever, warm hearted deeplytraditional yet bang up to the minute staging of the pantomime version of Peter Pan.”

In 2007 we signed a new contract with pantomime producers QDOS and the first year of this three year deal brought us Peter Pan.Record ticket sales for this show and an improved financial arrangement with QDOS significantly increased our revenue for theyear. The retained box office margin at HMT throughout the year was also excellent and this too helped ensure that the companymade a modest surplus for the year. This gave us the wherewithal to deliver a strong education programme and develop our inhouse productions.

FUNDRAISINGThe development department had anexcellent year having secured over£100,000 in sponsorship in the twelvemonths to March 2009.

The company also negotiated a modestincrease in funding from the ScottishArts Council to programme The LemonTree in the coming year, which will allowus to continue to broaden the range ofwork at the venue. Funding was also secured to adapt and produce Neil Gunn’s The Silver Darlings, which then toured venues acrossScotland in autumn 2009.

The potential of the company to lever in funds from third party organisations was one of the reasons that Aberdeen PerformingArts was set up and we are delighted that this aim is now being realised.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIESIt has been a diverse and exciting year for our education staff with a variety of activities in all three venues. The addition of TheLemon Tree, in particular, has provided us with a host of new projects and opportunities.

Another important factor in making this year so successful has been building relationships with community groups and schools aswell as continuing our partnerships with City Moves and Scottish Youth Theatre.

We have expanded our work with young people by starting our own youth theatre outreach programme, working with young peoplein regeneration areas across Aberdeen. We have also hosted a performance in our education space by The Acting Group at HMT,which was formed from the “moved reading” workshops held the previous year.

2

His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen Music Hall The Lemon Tree Total

No. of performances 345 133 132 610

No. of paid attendances 275,316 99,587 18,645 393,548

Gross ticket sales £4,683,020 £1,159,181 £193,863 £6,036,064

Key Financial Facts 2008/09

Chairman’s statement 1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009

Grant income Aberdeen City Council £1,191,490Grant income Scottish Arts Council £155,000Earned income and private sector sponsorship £7,463,900Total income £8,810,390

Grant income Aberdeen City Council Grant income Scottish Arts Council

Earned income and private sector sponsorship

14%

2%

84%

Income Sources 2008/09

REVIEW 2008/09

We have developed our work with schools and augmented visiting productions with workshops and “page to stage” events, continuingto offer schools discounted prices on performances. We also produced an educational DVD to supplement our production of SunsetSong. This was part of a resource pack that went out free to every school that booked to see the show on its tour, reaching over2000 pupils.

Our Education Department has continued to offer a wide range of activities for adults. These have included our pre- and post-showtalks (where numbers have really jumped), workshop opportunities in drama and clowning and our immensely popular singingclasses. We have also workedclosely with community groupssuch as Challenge Mum andNorthfield adult learners. We continue to provide tours ofHis Majesty’s Theatre: this yearto more than 1250 people.

PARTNERSHIPSPartnership working is an important part of what we do and adds value to the work of the company. One of the most important ofthese partnerships is that with the social enterprise organisation The Foyer, which runs the restaurant and café service in HisMajesty’s Theatre as part of a three year contract. The Foyer’s profits from this go to their charitable company, which providesaccommodation and work opportunities for young homeless people.

One important new partnership forged during the year has been with Jazz Aberdeen, with whom we are working to develop TheLemon Tree as a venue for national and international jazz artists. Our first season of concerts was presented in the early part of 2009.

We also work closely with departments of the City Council: in particular, the Arts Education Service and White Space, which curatesa visual arts programme for The Lemon Tree.

The Scottish Theatres Consortium, a partnership of the largescale theatres in Scotland, has worked with us to produce workfor our theatres, such as Sunshine on Leith, and to bringinternational work to Scotland: for example, the Scottish tour byNederlands Dance Theatre in June 2008.

We have taken a major role in the city’s Cultural Forum and havecontributed to developing a cultural strategy for Aberdeen withthe other major arts providers, the universities and the localauthority.

STAFFThe number of staff employed by the organisation has increasedduring the year to over 250 people as a result of the acquisitionof The Lemon Tree.

Temporary work was provided for about twenty actors, musiciansand technicians from July to October 2008 to produce and tourthe production of Sunset Song. This is an important contribution to the company’s ambition to develop a creative performing artscommunity in the city.

TRADING COMPANYThe trading company continues to generate significant revenue from the operation of the bars, restaurants and coffee shops inour venues, the profits from which are passed to the charitable company.

Aberdeen Box Office is an important part of the trading company and produces a significant surplus from commissions and bookingfees. The Box Office provides a service not only for our own venues but also for third party operations such as Aberdeen Arts Centreand a number of small venues in the city and region.

CONCLUSIONThe financial management of the company remains strong and, despite the economic challenges facing us all, we believe that thereserves we have prudently built up in the past five years will give Aberdeen Performing Arts the confidence to continue to developthe range and quality of the work presented in our venues over the next five.

GRAEME ROBERTSChair, Aberdeen Performing Arts

3

0-250 Bookers

251-500 Bookers

501-1000 Bookers

1001-2500 Bookers

2501+ Bookers

Number of bookers by postcode/area

His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen Music Hall The Lemon Tree Total

Overall % of capacity attended 67% 60% 46% 64%

% of retained margin on own promotions and rentals 18% 22% 24% 19%

% of productions which played to 90% capacity or more 39% 22% 8% 29%

Audiences 2008/09

Business Review 08/09 at a glanceAPRIL

Book lovers were treated to an audience with former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell who chatted aboutpolitics and his newly-published memoirs, Menzies Campbell: My Autobiography at the Music Hall. Sir Menzies kickedoff a season of notable speakers including an evening with Ray Mearswho dived straight in to an utterly engrossing andhighly entertaining two hours of facts, tales and anecdotes, illustrated with some superb photography.  From the tales ofNorwegian soldiers who had trained in the Scottish Highlands during the Second World War to teaching indigenous tribesof the Amazon how to start a fire, Ray demonstrated an understanding, knowledge and passion of his subject that was ascharming as it was informative.  His enthusiasm was almost tangible, and you felt that he would have regaled you all nightif he’d had the chance – a wonderful and quite unique evening of entertainment.

MAY

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat continued its record breaking run when it came to Aberdeen at theend of May. Packed full of reality TV stars, Welsh singer Tara Bethan played the role of the Narrator alongside Any DreamWill Do star Craig Chalmers who played Joseph.

Also spinning a colourful tale in yarn were The National Theatre of Scotland and Wee Stories who presented The Emperor’sNew Kilt,a modern and very Scottish twist on Hans Christian Anderson’s classic fairytale. Cleverly staged, the highly-acclaimedshow’s dramatic backdrops were all hand-sewn from a collage of fabrics, creating a magnificent tapestry effect.

The Music Hall played host to the internationally-renowned Russian State Symphony Orchestra and a consortium of fourcompanies joined forces to sponsor the performance. McGrigors, Abermed, Kudos IFS and Source People all enjoyed the jointbenefits of sponsorship and afterwards played host to the conductor, soloist and other principal performers at a drinks reception.

JUNE

June was a significant month as The Lemon Tree was officially re-opened under the management and operation of APAby award-winning Scots actor Alan Cumming. The rebirth of the much-loved Aberdeen arts venue was given someHollywood and Broadway pizzazz by Alan with significant media coverage of the launch and Welcome Back Weekend asthe venue was restored to its rightful place at the heart of the arts scene in the city.

The Welcome Back Weekend featured old favourites Shooglenifty, with special guests The Jani Lang Band, BBC’s Live FloorShow star Craig Hill and King Creosote and special guest, plus a series of lunchtime events with The Pictones, ScottishCultures and Traditions and Aberdeen Jazz Orchestra.

Both Shell and Belhaven came onboard as launch sponsors for the lunchtime live sessions on Fridays and Sundays and inSeptember the popular Creative Kids Saturday workshops were re-started with the generous support of Argus Care.

In the weeks following the opening, The Lemon Tree Lounge saw comedian Danny Bhoy, off-beat funnyman Pete Firman,Irish folk musicians Michael McGoldrick, John Doyle and John Joe Kelly touring together for the first time, some of thefinest up-and-coming comic talents in Edinburgh & Beyond and Australian comedian Tim Minchin all making their markon the venue. And since its reopening, people have come along in their thousands to see what The Lemon Tree has to offerwith audience numbers for the first six months alone standing at nearly 10,000.

Of course, Alan Cumming did not just come to Aberdeen to launch The Lemon Tree (although he was passionate about doingso). He also appeared at HMT in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of The Bacchae, which well and truly livedup to its reputation of being one of the greatest and wildest of the Greek tragedies, albeit with a contemporary take! Playingthe iconic and hedonist god Dionysus, audiences were tickled (or thrilled or in raptures) at the bare-faced cheekiness of hismemorable entrance at the start of the play. With some amazing special effects and some great soul singing it was a realthrill to see Mr Cumming at his best on stage at HMT.

4

REVIEW 2008/09

5

“This has been a remarkable year for theatre in Aberdeen. The newAberdeen Performing Arts initiative was launched in September witha heartfelt production of Sunset Song, that toured to Glasgow,Edinburgh, Perth and Inverness; the bankrupt Lemon Tree arts centrewas taken over and saved and soon became host to a short season ofnew writing that should produce some exciting work over the next fewyears. The city rounds off the year with one of the finest pantos of theseason in Alan Cohen's clever, warm-hearted, deeply-traditional yetbang up to the minute staging of the pantomime version of Peter Pan.”

Joyce McMillan, the Scotsman, Friday, December 19 2008

JULY

Following on from its well-received first reading at HMT in December 2007 Lest We Forget, a new work by Aberdeenplaywright Mike Gibb; commissioned by APA for the re-opened Lemon Tree Studio Theatre, played to full houses during itsweek long run. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Piper Alpha Disaster, the extraordinary drama told the storyof the tragedy, which ripped apart the lives of ordinary people and ordinary families. 

Mike Gibb approached Duncan Hendry to write a play on an Aberdeen theme and when he realised that the 20th anniversaryof Piper Alpha was approaching, he thought about writing a play that could be a tribute to the ordinary people who werecaught up in that extraordinary tragedy. Mike said: “I stripped it back so that the main emphasis of the play was on therelationship of two fictional guys, two life-long best friends. Men who were not ambitious, not career-people – one workingoffshore because he wants to buy his family a three-bedroomed semi at Westhill and the other simply because the lifestylesuits him. This is their story, set against the background of the world’s worst offshore disaster.”

Other issues raised in the play include the idea of the media creating heroes, and about the devastating guilt of survival.But it also contained humour, largely centred on the relationship between the two men.

The play was a great success with one audience member saying: “ What a great piece of theatre, it’s highly recommended.You really connect with the characters and the story of how Piper Alpha changes their lives, it is told with humour and sensitivity.”

AUGUST

For the first time APA produced its What’s On guide with all three venues combined into one listings book, allowingcustomers to see at a glance what’s going on in all three of the city’s main arts venues. And the line-up for the comingseason was hailed as one of the strongest we have ever had: with hit musicals including the recently-opened West Endproductions of Cabaret and West Side Story destined for HMT, top musicians heading to The Lemon Tree including themodern traditional music of Lau, one of Britain’s top jazz and swing singers Todd Gordon and some cutting edge dramawith Jordan Young back in Aberdeen to perform in the hilarious and darkly dynamic Slick in the Lemon Tree Studio. TheMusic Hall boasted a strong line up of comedians including star of television’s Gavin and Stacey Rob Brydon and bandsincluding Travis, Foals and The Feeling.

And in the Rehearsal Studio at HMT, work got underway on our first large scale solo production Sunset Song by LewisGrassic Gibbon. As the cast gathered, under the direction of Kenny Ireland, former director of Edinburgh’s Royal Lyceumand currently starring in the BAFTA nominated television series Benidorm, you could feel the excitement and creativetensions begin to build in the basement of the 102-year-old theatre.

As well as putting together a successful 10-week play season at The Lemon Tree for the autumn, Writers and ActorsCollaboration have been holding meetings bringing playwrights and actors based in Aberdeen and Shire together. Thesemeetings involve reading plays and discussing how to develop and produce new work, and will be continuing throughout 2009.

SEPTEMBER

The highlight of 2008 had to be our first large-scale in house production, Sunset Songwhich was certainly one of the thingsthat chief executive Duncan Hendry was most proud of. “It has been a fantastic year and Sunset Song has to be the productionthat I am most proud of. It really put HMT and APA on the map as a producing theatre.” The adaptation of the Grassic Gibbonclassic was cast and staged from scratch by the team at HMT under the direction of Kenny Ireland; a respected and prominentfigure in Scottish Theatre. Kenny was delighted to be asked to become involved with the production and was well aware of theimportance of the decision that HMT made in shifting from being purely a receiving house of large-scale productions to makingwork of its own. Speaking at the recent press launch of HMT’s next production, The Silver Darlings, he said: “I was really pleasedwhen I was asked to do Sunset Song, pleased that Duncan was trying to create a producing house at HMT, because I believe quitefirmly that we need more producing houses in Scotland and I am pleased to support that in any way I can. Sunset Song amazed mein the support it got, not just in Aberdeen, but all over Scotland. The way audiences are built up in my view, is that you create ahabit, so the idea of producing another piece as soon as possible is a good one so that Aberdeen can recognise this as anotherpiece of quality work.”

Alan Campbell who headed up the production team said: “This was a new venture for most of the team and I was particularlypleased by the way everybody accepted the challenge and worked together as a team on the production. Not only did we facechallenges in staging the play at HMT, but then of course we had to think about how it would be adapted to work in the othervenues. I really want to extend my gratitude to those involved with getting the production underway and to the cast for bringingSunset Song to life for so many people throughout Scotland.”

6

REVIEW 2008/09

����� Lest We Forget“A great piece of theatre, highly recommended. You reallyconnect with the characters and the story of how Piper Alphachanges their lives is told with humour and sensitivity. Very wellwritten, directed, brilliant performances and works really wellin the Lemon Tree studio. “ Stephanie, 3 July 2008

7

Evelyn Glennie conveys the magic of music tobudding Aberdeen percussionists.

Photo courtesy of RSNO (photographer Tom Finnie).

Historic tours of His Majesty’sTheatre proved tremendouslypopular in 2008 with over 1250people taking the tours.“It was a most enjoyableexperience... congratulationsto our guides, they were soknowledgeable andprofessional”Stonehaven Men’sProbus Club

Sunset Song opened at HMT on September 5 and was HMT’s highest grossing play of 2008, with ticket sales of nearly £100k.It then went on to tour to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness and Perth. Thanks directly to sponsorship from TOTAL we were ableto produce a DVD as part of this pack, which included discussion of the play with the director and actors, information aboutthe rehearsal process, clips of rehearsals, cast and crew interviews as well as information about the vision behind theproduction. The production was seen by over 2100 school pupils and 150 DVDs were distributed throughout the country.

Thanks to sponsorship by local company Argus Care, Whitespace began Creative Kids; a regular activities session aimedat youngsters aged between five and 12 every Saturday at the Lemon Tree from 1.30pm to 3pm. So far over 575 youngstershave taken part in Creative Kids and have worked on everything from balloon decorating to badge making!

Aberdeen College drama students participated in two workshops in relation to shows at the Lemon Tree, Vox Motus’s SLICKand SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE interactive. And a group of young aspiring actors took part in a workshop for FLEETO withdirector Paddy Cuneen and actors Jordan McCurrach and Neil Leiper. This workshop led to the group performing onstage with the company in two performances held at The Lemon Tree at the end of the month. During the workshop andperformance, the group explored the issue of knife crime: the causes, the actions and the consequences.

One of the workshop participants said: “I enjoyed the chance to meet and work with professional actors, it was insightfuland inspiring. The play was brilliant.”

OCTOBER

2008 saw a line up of big rock and pop bands at Aberdeen’s Music Hall including the Foals, and on October 16 the audiencehelped the lead singer of top pop-rockers The Hoosiers, Irwin Sparkes surf to the back of the audience before then playingpart of their set from the balcony at their gig at the Music Hall. Live music fans have been ecstatic with the number andquality of big name bands and artists coming to the city and which helped to reinforce the Music Hall’s reputation as a topvenue for gigs. Programming manager Doug Taylor said: “We now programme three times as many rock and pop gigs as thevenue used to do before APA took over its operation. The appetite for live music in Aberdeen is really great and sell outs are thenorm.” The gigs line up line-up last year included Travis, Foals and The Feelingwhile counted among the soloists were EddiReader, Seasick Steve, Paul Carrack and Errol Brown.

The Music Hall also played host to the Arts & Business Scotland 2008 Awardson October 21. The evening celebratedsome of the many excellent business and arts partnerships that took place throughout Scotland between March

2007 and March 2008. In the Young People Award, Aberdeen Harbour Board’s support of HMT for an educationsubsidy scheme which enabled over 1000 school pupils from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire to attend the theatre

and participate in related workshops was shortlisted, and was described as ‘innovative’ by Arts & BusinessScotland director Barclay Price. Also shortlisted for the Cultural Branding Award was APA’s partnership withEvening Express through their sponsorship of the 2007 record-breaking panto, Aladdin. “The support and

extensive coverage of the panto by the Evening Express enabled us to have our most successful panto everin the 100 year history of the theatre - a record breaking year in terms of sales,” said Lorna Christie,development manager.

The biggest selling classical artist of the 21st Century, 21-year-old Hayley Westenra wooed audiences whenshe appeared at Aberdeen’s Music Hall as part of her River Of Dreams Tour. The young classical star hascombined album sales of over four million worldwide, has performed for Royalty and the Dalai Lama, duettedwith Bocelli, Carreras, Terfel and is UNICEF’s youngest ambassador.

Local youngsters lined up in anticipation of hooking a part in this year’s panto, Peter Pan starring Aussiesoap legend Alan Fletcherand Any Dream Will Do Star Keith Jackat HMT this winter, when open auditions

were held for the roles of Michael and John Darling. Around 40 youngsters auditioned with the three boyschosen to share the role of Michael being Michael Lewis, Richie Lornie and Cameron MacDonald while Johnwas played by Liam Duggan, Stuart Moir and Darrell Thornton.

Supported by Aberdeen City Council’s Cultural Grants, Outreach YT has been running since October 2008. Ithas two youth theatre groups, one in Seaton and the other in Northfield. The Northfield group are working

with Station House Media Unit to produce a short film and the Seaton group are devising a piece of theatre.Both groups will have the opportunity to perform in The Lemon Tree in May 09. The project is also working

with four trainees who are learning how to deliver youth theatre and community drama projects.

8

REVIEW 2008/09

����� Sunset Song “Having seen Sunset Song last night I was compelled to writea review. From the outset I was moved and mesmerised. It ishard to believe Hannah Donaldson is only 24 as she played ChrisGuthrie with a maturity and compassion well beyond her years.I found myself living Chris's life and experiences with herthroughout the show and was emotionally drained at the end.The scenery was enigmatic and dark when required and thelove making scenes were beautiful. I have never before writtena show review but I simply had to on this occasion. Well doneto all involved.” Pamela Gallan, 12 Sep 2008

9

NOVEMBER

Staff were invited to take part in our third staff survey, APA People. Totally confidential it offers staff the chance to maketheir voice heard about how they feel about their job and working for APA. Around 25% of all employees took part andthe results show that significant progress has been made in many areas since the first survey in 2006 with the mainindicators of commitment moving in a positive direction. As always the results were shared fully with staff and themanagement team are working together to try and make further improvements and take on board any suggestions andcomments made.

Over 50 comedians had audiences in stitches last year and none more so than improv comedian Russell Howard whoperformed his well-honed stand up routine and web of tales twice at the Music Hall coming to the Granite City in Marchand then returning in November.

The Panto Roadshow was taken to nine local primaries in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, in the space of a week, all free ofcharge thanks to sponsorship from First. Almost 1500 pupils got the chance to take part in the roadshow which introducedchildren to the magic of live theatre with a comedy performance that both entertained and informed. APA Head of Salesand Marketing, Shona Byrne, said: “This is the third year that the Panto Roadshow has come to Aberdeen and the responsehas once again been overwhelming. The pupils get a chance to see how the magic of panto comes to life from three of thebest in the panto business who between them have more than 30 years experience in theatre and pantomime and makeformidable Ugly Sisters!”

DECEMBER

December was of course Panto month at His Majesty’s Theatre and Peter Pan was flying high with record breaking ticketsales. When the curtain finally came down on the swashbuckling adventure starring Neighbours’ Alan Fletcher, AnyDream Will Do finalist Keith Jack, and Aberdeen favourites Alan McHugh and Jordan Young, it broke all box office recordsand was the most successful pantomime to be staged at HMT with over 50,000 delighted theatre-goers seeing the stunningperformance. Sponsored by the Evening Express the panto proved to be so popular that for the first time in many yearsthe balcony was opened to customers who wanted to get a bird’s eye view of the show. Alan Fletcher, or Fletch as he likedto be known, also managed to fit in two gigs - one at The Lemon Tree – while in Aberdeen he performed his music to

nearly 1000 very enthusiastic fans of his band Waiting Room. He departed for home in Australia and his life as DrKarl Kennedy in Neighbours on January 6, however before leaving he took the time to write to the Evening

Express to say how much he enjoyed being in Peter Pan at HMT and said: “Thanks to Qdos Pantomines andHMT for the opportunity and to the Evening Express for its sponsorship of the panto. The real highlight

of my stay in the North-east has been the overwhelming support of the people of Aberdeen. I want tothank the wonderful citizens of Aberdeen for giving me the time of my life.”

As part of the festive cheer APA and Qdos Pantomimes also gave local charities and communitygroups the gift of 500 free tickets to Peter Pan. A total of eleven local groups shared in the freepanto ticket spree which allowed groups, who would not otherwise have been able to attend, tosee the panto.

Commenting on the initiative APA chief executive Duncan Hendry said “We are delighted to beable to offer tickets to these worthy causes. We have been very moved by their stories and willbe very happy to see their smiling faces when Peter Pan and Captain Hook take to the stage!”

Home-Start Aberdeen senior co-ordinator Georgette Cobban said: “Everybody is just delighted –it’s fantastic. We have already allocated all our tickets and everyone is just over the moon,

they really are. It’s nice to have some positive news.”

10

REVIEW 2008/09

����� Peter Pan“I brought a group of Brownies who thoroughlyenjoyed every minute of the show, we all thoughtPeter Pan flying across the audience was greatand that Maggie and Smee were brilliant.Well done for a great show.”

Julie Thorpe on 30 Dec 2008

11

JANUARY

APA sailed into the new year on an all-time high when Peter Pan flew into the record books as the most successful pantoever staged at HMT, seen by more than 50,000 people. Captain Hook and Neighbours legend Alan Fletcher fronted animprovised band which included fellow panto performers Alan McHugh and Gareth Weedon for an unforgettable goodbye-to-the-Granite-City gig at The Lemon Tree which can still be seen on U Tube.

Our production of The Life of Grassic Gibbon, with Eileen McCallum and Scotland the What?’s Stephen Robertson hada very successful tour of the North-east; WAC (Writers Actors Collaboration) featured some innovative work in theirnew season at The Lemon Tree and Sunshine on Leith packed them in at HMT.

Former Texas frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri launched her first solo UK tour with a sensational sell-out concert at theMusic Hall which even had the balcony audience dancing in the aisles.

And the cherry on the January cake, as it were, was when Sunday lunchtimes got a 8/10 thumbs up in an eating-out reviewin the Evening Express!

FEBRUARY

Our record-breaking streak continued into February when the magnificent Calendar Girls - with its Who’s Who cast ofBritish actresses - became the best selling play ever at HMT with more than 10,000 people seeing the production over itsfive-day run. It was a real triumph for the company, even if it knocked our own production of Sunset Song into a veryrespectable third place. Wet, Wet, Wet frontman Marti Pellow cast his spell over the devilish role of Daryl Van Horne inthe hit musical Witches of Eastwick, and APA also announced our second major in-house production, The Silver Darlings,directed by Kenny Ireland.

At The Lemon Tree, the man who discovered Oasis and put Primal Scream on the world stage, Alan McGee, checked outlocal bands in an Exposure night and Dundee indie band The View had a headline show at the Music Hall.

APA took over the reins from Jazz Aberdeen for organising live jazz events in the city and when Aberdeen City Council’sleisure services were up for public debate, APA was held up in the press as a shining example of a successful trust.

MARCH

The Lemon Tree Lounge was the setting for a blistering performance from former The Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwelland a great comeback gig from Edinburgh-born reggae singer Finley Quaye as well as a great set from one of the mostinventive bands in the Scottish music scene Breabach.

Comedy was a strong theme at the Music Hall which hosted shows by Geordie-born funny man Ross Noble and good-hearted Welshman Rob Brydon, as well as a long-awaited performance by Scots singing sensation Barbara Dickson andClassic Brit-winning group Blake with the beautiful soprano Natasha Marsh.

At HMT, productions included an inventive and romantic remake of Brief Encounter, young Samantha Barks was arevelation as the iconic Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Caledon broke off a European tour to give a one-night performance inthe theatre and the Russian State Ballet captivated full-houses with their lyrical Swan Lake.

Ellen Kent bowed out from touring opera, new sponsors stepped in to save the 2009 student show and HMT’s new policyto allow drinks into the auditorium sailed through its first real test – a packed house for British Pub Landlord Al Murray!

12

REVIEW 2008/09

13

�����

Lunchtime at The Lemon Tree - Hyldie Grinsted and her Jazz Good Friends “Absolutely fantastic selection of jazz songs and music, magic entertainment.Will definitely return.“ Ann, 11 Sept 2008

REVIEW 2008/09

GRAMPIANPOLICEFEDERATION

Major SponsorShell U.K. Limited

Key SponsorQdos

Major SponsorThe Press and Journal

Honorary FriendExxonMobil

Key SponsorRizza’s of Huntly

Honorary FriendRobertson Construction Eastern Ltd

Argus Care

Prime SponsorAberdeen Solicitors’ Property Centre

SponsorshipTHANKS TO THESE COMPANIES FOR SUPPORT DURING THE REDEVELOPMENT OF HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE

Main cover image and Peter Pan pantopictures courtesy of Aberdeen Journals

Aberde

en Pe

rform

ing Ar

ts is

a cha

rity r

egist

ered

in Sc

otlan

d, No

: SC0

33733

14

THANKS TO THESE COMPANIES FOR CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP, SUPPORT AND CURTAIN SPONSORSHIP

CURRENT CORPORATE ASSOCIATES