Annual Review 2024/25
For nearly 40 years, New Adventures has been an iconic and ground-breaking British dance-theatre company, famous for telling stories with a unique theatrical twist. Our artistic director, Matthew Bourne, has been a pivotal force in the evolution of contemporary dance, having pioneered dance-theatre as a distinct genre. We continue to be choreographer-led by Matthew, and we are proud to present our work in more large-and mid-scale venues than any other dance company in Britain.
We are thrilled to celebrate another remarkable year of activity in 2024/25, with the company touring three major productions, Edward Scissorhands, Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet, which captivated audiences across the UK and beyond. Doorstep Duets brought world-class dance to communities from Farnham to Norwich—performing in libraries, care homes, hospices and other unexpected places and Reel Adventures showcased a range of our work online and in cinemas to digital audiences around the globe.
Beyond the stage, New Adventures continues to nurture the next generation of dancers: our flagship Cygnet School at the Marlowe Theatre welcomed a new cohort and Swan School expanded to meet the growing demand from 16–18-year-olds aspiring to professional training. Our work to support professional dancers and members of our creative company continued with dedicated professional development and training sessions.
Through Take Part, our landmark engagement and participation programme, we continued work in schools nationwide, delivered community workshops at our home base in Farnham and sought to remove barriers to access through our dedicated programme of BSL, Audio described and Sensory Adapted performances.
From school pupils to pensioners, we continue to bring joy, creativity and connection to people everywhere through the magic of New Adventures—on stage and beyond.
The Year in Numbers
Three productions on stage and touring, with a global audience of 290,399 over 336 performances.
As part of REEL Adventures, 1.91 million people experienced our work through cinema, broadcast and streaming of eight productions and YouTube and educational content.
Over 375 Take Part activity sessions with 7,657 attendances.
Including 158 talent development sessions to 3,909 attendees.
75 Doorstep Duets performances seen by 4,311 people in 61 community locations.
Our Arts Council England annual NPO grant of £1,317,810 enabled us to achieve 2,210,573 engagements and resulted in a per engagement subsidy of just £0.60 or 1.68 people per £1 of subsidy spent.
Chair’s Welcome
As I look back over the past year with New Adventures, I am reminded once again of the transformative power of art to bind us together. Dance, in its purest form, is both fleeting and eternal – a moment of movement, light and sound that vanishes as soon as it arrives yet lingers in memory long after the curtain falls. It is this duality – the fragile and the timeless – that continues to define our journey.
New Adventures’ mission is to create work that resonates with audiences of every age and background, that sparks conversation, provokes thought and offers joy. This year, through bold touring, digital innovation and community connection, we have reached further and touched more lives than ever before.
Our stages have been filled with familiar favourites, bold revivals and international journeys that carried the company’s unique voice to new audiences across the globe.
Edward Scissorhands returned to our repertoire after a nine-year absence - audiences were captivated by this haunting, tender story. Romeo and Juliet visited nine cities across Asia, including Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Beijing, reframing Shakespeare’s tale through Matthew’s radical lens. And of course, Swan Lake – our signature production - reaffirmed its place in the hearts of our audiences during its 30th anniversary performances.
Through Doorstep Duets, we brought world-class dance into the everyday lives of communities across the Southeast from care homes to community gardens, libraries and shopping centres. Our schools programme delivered workshops to more than 1300 pupils, many of whom had never experienced ballet before and we maintained our commitment to accessibility, providing free tickets, audio description in every venue, and BSL interpretation for multiple performances.
Our work and engagement with diverse communities reflects our consistent and authentic commitment to a bold and inclusive vision – securing Sir Matthew Bourne’s outstanding legacy not only by entertaining and inspiring audiences worldwide, but by ensuring that his work continues to evolve, resonate and welcome.
At the heart of this vision is Matthew’s creative brilliance and our dancers whose extraordinary skill, stamina and artistry bring Matthew’s stories to life with humanity and force.
I am filled with gratitude to them, alongside the countless individuals who make this company what it is: the creative teams, our dedicated administrative staff and executive team, our patrons and partners and of course, our audiences – whose loyalty and passion breathe life into every performance.
Art at its best is not just a performance, but a communion and collective search for meaning. This is the gift that New Adventures gives, and the promise we will carry forward.
Brenda Emmanus OBE
New Adventures Chair
Artistic Programme, Touring and Reach
New Adventures mission is to “open a world of joy, wonder, connection, and creativity”.
We do this by staging world class performances in usual and unusual places; widening access to the arts and nurturing and supporting talent that represents UK society.
On Stage
During 2024/25, we toured for 38 weeks with three large-scale productions:
- Romeo & Juliet: toured to nine venues in Asia (Tokyo, Seoul, Busan, Macao, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Taipei and Kaoshiung) over 12 weeks, reaching an audience of 30,710 across the full tour.
- Edward Scissorhands: toured to UK theatres, playing at five venues over five weeks, reaching an audience of 32,916. An additional 9,714 saw the production at performances in Amsterdam.
- Swan Lake: our landmark production celebrated its 30th anniversary, completing a 20-week tour to ten venues, reaching 212,748 people.
Our productions were rated 75% for “distinctiveness” and met 80% across satisfaction ratings, according to audience surveys.
We employed 105 dancers employed for a total of 5,460 weeks. Of our cast members, 50% of dancers in Edward Scissorhands and Swan Lake came through a New Adventures talent development programme.
Placemaking partners
As a touring company, New Adventures collaborates with partner theatres to strengthen our profile, grow audiences, support young and emerging talent, and align our activity with each venue’s strategic priorities.
On Screen
REEL Adventures, our programme of work for broadcast, cinema and digital platforms, continued to deliver against our mission to expand access to world-class creative performance, both nationally and internationally.
Across 2024/25
1.91 million people experienced our work through cinema, broadcast, streaming, YouTube and views of our Edward Scissorhands resources on Sky’s Access All Arts platform.
Edward Scissorhands
- was screened on SkyTV/Now, with 60,600 viewers;
- had 710 cinema screenings across the UK, reaching 15,812 people;
- had 529 cinema screenings across the rest of the world, reaching 10,115 people;
- was featured in Sky Arts’ Access All Arts programme, reaching an estimated 276,830 children in classrooms across the UK.
Sleeping Beauty received an estimated 10,000 views on BBC iPlayer.
A further eight productions were available to watch digitally (including The Car Man, The Red Shoes and Sleeping Beauty) with an estimated 179,790 views.
New Adventures content on YouTube received over 1.43 million views.
The Car Man and Swan Lake featured in Rambert Grades materials, seen by an estimated 300-450 students. 66 teachers were trained to deliver the material.
Our estimated net audience growth across social media was 19,795.
Audiences
Our audiences are why we do what we do. Entertaining and engaging audiences is our passion. We strive to be widely accessible and welcoming to both our loyal and new audiencesand seek to find ways to reach groups who traditionally have less opportunity to engage with dance.
Audience Development
Working with presenting venues and placemaking partners we provided 30 free audience-development tickets per venue (with 1,185 used in total), prioritising first-time attendees, young people and engagement-project participants.
Access Performances
We delivered -
1 Sensory Adapted Performance (SAP) for Swan Lake at Sadler’s Wells, playing to an audience of 1,311.
Of this audience: 20% were attending for the first time; 27% identified as D/deaf or disabled and 80% stated they would attend a relaxed or SAP performance again.
28 Audio Described performances and touch tours, with 126 audience members using the audio described facility.
Nine BSL-interpreted post-show events, attended by over 1,500 people.
A Visual Guide, Sonic Story and Sensory Introduction film to Swan Lake.
“It was the best sensory adapted performance I’ve been to."
Swan Lake Sensory Adapted Performance Audience Member
Take Part
“We are more committed than ever to discover and nurture the next generation of dancers and audiences from all backgrounds, to diversify the sector on and offstage, as well as champion dance as an art form that improves mental and physical wellbeing.”
Matthew Bourne
Talent & Sector Development
Through our Talent & Sector Development programmes, we discover and nurture emerging talent across the UK; support the career development of company members on and off stage; and offer ongoing opportunities for freelancers, industry professionals and aspiring dancers.
Our activity across 2024/25 included:
Cygnet School: 12 weekend residencies and one week-long summer residency for 16 young dancers aged 12-18 to explore the unique aspects of New Adventures’ work, style, and training.
‘Cygnet School is making a difference to the lives of these young people inside and outside of the studio - it is opening doors to new worlds of creative possibilities and adventures.’ Evaluation report from Canterbury Christchurch University
Conservatoires: 69 workshops and training sessions for students in 17 training institutions including The BRIT School, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and Northern Ballet School.
A Seasonal Adventure: a three-day workshop for 30 graduates of vocational training, including class and creative tasks, alongside sessions on industry navigation, performance, self-promotion as a freelancer and audition skills.
Placements Programme: 31 vocational training placements in the technical departments of our Placemaking venues, resulting in four young people moving into employment in the industry.
‘I had an absolute ball and learned so much from the team. It exceeded my expectations and solidified my ideas for my future career as a hopeful touring crew member with New Adventures.’
New Adventures technical placement
Swan School: two four-day intensives for 22 dancers invited through the Conservatoire workshops, auditions and attending showcases, offering an insight into the working practices and repertoire of New Adventures.
Swan School 2: a new programme for young dancers aged 16-18, to hone their craft and providing personal development opportunities.
Annual Masterclass: an open access, day long workshop for 29 participants, who experienced a rehearsal “day in the life” of a company dancer.
Pro-Class: two three-day workshop sessions for professional dancers, recent graduates and trainees to explore New Adventures’ creative processes, reaching 316 participants.
Emerging Artist Programme: focused this year on supporting our Emerging Principals in the Swan Lake company, including Leonardo McCorkindale, through mentorship, coaching and training.
“Rehearsals were tough, there is a lot to learn choreography-wise. Glenn really helped me to make it big enough for the whole audience to understand it and feel it with me.”
Leonardo McCorkindale
Spring Forward: offered 13 bursaries (of up to £2,000) to support company members on and off stage to develop new skills through training in areas such as coaching, acting, electrical training. We also provided an access bursary for a hearing aid.
Dancer Support Programme: ran an additional week of fitness and wellness training, alongside training in areas including anti-racism, Trans Allyship, Safeguarding and disability equality.
Overture: celebrated 10 years by providing residential and online professional development training for 14 Dance artists and teachers.
‘I learnt, absorbed and experienced so much yet I feel so open, like a clean blank slate, full of possibilities, feeling excited and encouraged.’
Overture participant
Schools and Young People
From early years through to A-level studies, New Adventures offers workshops and residencies that take young people on an adventure of discovery and expression through our unique storytelling language and inclusive creative methodology.
In 2024/25, our programme included:
Swan Lake Take Flight: a new programme - our most ambitious to date - championing the power of dance for young people’s wellbeing.
54 movement workshops across England, led by six Regional Dance Ambassadors visiting 35 community groups, engaging 358 young people aged 5–25, including refugees and young carers.
13 intensive movement days with a performance visit to Swan Lake, reaching 291 participants with a parent or carer.
15% of participant had never visited their local theatre before, with 40% visiting once a year or less. 98% wanted to do more Take Part activities.
‘My daughter has come away so happy, she had an awful week at school (really struggling with her autism and friendships and feels like she doesn't fit in), theatre is her release, and this reminded her she can do anything she puts her mind to. Thank you for making her feel safe, accepted and in her words 'part of a theatre family.’
Parent of Take Flight day participant
Schools Workshop Tour: delivered 48 workshop sessions to accompany the tours of Edward Scissorhands and Swan Lake. We worked in 28 schools, with 1270 attendances, delivered by two New Adventures Dance Artists.
‘What a wonderful day! The day was really well structured. It was completely inclusive and all ages and abilities were able to access. Daisy and Paul were welcoming and fun from the start and all students felt at ease and learnt and achieved, in some cases, beyond their capabilities.’
School Teacher
Digital Resources for schools and colleges: provided bespoke digital resources for all our productions, offering exercises and activities adapted for all levels of dance expertise and ages from Primary, GCSE, A-Level and B-TEC.
Communities
We are committed to making dance-theatre accessible to all and deliver a range of activities to engage audiences and communities from every background.
In 2024/25, this included:
Next Adventures: our monthly dance session for over 55s delivered in collaboration with Farnham Maltings welcomed 213 participants across 22 sessions.
‘I was amazed to discover the opportunity to work with a professional company of this calibre in my local town. I look forward to it every month and leave feeling exhilarated every session.’
Next Adventures participant
Doorstep Duets: brought free, world class dance directly into communities across the Southeast with 75 performances (including two BSL interpreted and one Audio Described performances) to 4,311 people across 61 community locations including parks, care homes and town centres.
‘A wonderful experience. Very moving and beautiful. I was delighted to watch you perform. I saw children's faces lit up with enthusiasm and adults being very much touched! You have a gift for bringing the community together!’
Doorstep Duets audience member
Swan Lake LGBTQ+ Response Piece: worked with nine LGBTQ+ adult participants to create a response piece to the themes in Swan Lake and how they relate to the lived experience of the participants. The project culminated in two public performances at Farnham Maltings and Farnham Library seen by 118 people. Delivered in partnership with Farnham Maltings and Surrey Libraries.
Organisational Resilience
New Adventures is committed to strengthening our organisational resilience to enable our small team to deliver an extensive programme of performances and projects efficiently with maximum impact. We recognise that being a sustainable organisation means working to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access (EDIA) goals, engaging with environmentally responsible practices and the ongoing professional development of our team of dancers, staff and trustees.
Finance
Income
New Adventures combined income in 2024/25 was £13,766,455. This breaks down as:
Expenditure
Our spend across the year is broken down as follows:
We are proud that our Arts Council England annual NPO grant of £1,317,810 enabled us to achieve 2,210,573 engagements nationally and internationally in 2024/25, resulting in a per engagement subsidy of just £0.60 or 1.68 people per £1 of subsidy spent.
Our People
At the end of 24/25, New Adventures engaged:
- 18 Staff Members
- 28 freelance contractors (113 freelancers engaged across the year)
- 41 dancers
- 21 backstage crew
- 11 Trustees
Funders
We are hugely grateful to the following Funders for their support across 2024/25:
- Arts Council England
- Backstage Trust
- Bernard Sunley Foundation
- Dorfman Foundation
- Garfield Weston Foundation
- The Garrick Charitable Trust
- The Head Family
- Lynne & Land Foundation
- Mackintosh Foundation
- Noel Coward Foundation
- Theatre Development Trust
- Weatherall Foundation
Our Corporate partners were: Edwardian Hotels London, Fortnum & Mason
Our Corporate clients were: Buccellati London, Wedlake Bell, Baker McKenzie, Citibank, Lee & Thompson and Weil.
Evaluation
New Adventures employs a robust and embedded evaluation process, informing the ongoing refinement of our practice and ensuring effective delivery of our strategic aims.
Data is integrated across all activities, with a robust CRM system and dashboard to measure impact and inform strategic planning.
In 2024/25 we collaborated with academics at Canterbury Christchurch University and Brunel University for rigorous evaluative studies on Cygnet School and Swan Lake Take Flight respectively.
We have established quarterly EDIA, Data & Dashboard, Digital, and Environmental working groups, with trustee leadership, feeding directly into Board discussions and policy review.
Green Adventures
New Adventures places environmental sustainability at the heart of our governance and operations, guided by our 2024/25 Environmental Policy and Action Plan and supported this year by having our Environmental Sustainability Manager on tour.
Working with the Theatre Green Book and our Green Adventures Working Group, we embed sustainable practice across all productions, with Green Representatives appointed to each major show.
We actively share expertise with arts organisations across the UK, contributing to Theatre Green Book initiatives and wider industry networks to advance sustainable touring and practice.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access
New Adventures is committed to ensuring that all our work - on and off stage - is inclusive and reflective of contemporary England. We strive to create an environment that offers equality of opportunity, meaningful support and the conditions for everyone to excel and realise their full potential. Our EDIA plan is woven through our practice and our company, from the leadership team, core staff, dancers and freelancers.
We are proud that our Board membership is made up of 27% global majority trustees, 73% female trustees including the Chair, and 27% LGBTQIA+ trustees.
How we approach EDIA as a company:
- Dedicated Access and Inclusion roles in the core team.
- Partnerships to embed EDIA practice across projects, such as collaborations with Access All Areas, TIRED Movement, Alleyne&, Global Butterflies, Applause for Thought and Go Live Projects.
- Mandatory EDIA training for all staff, dancers, and freelancers, including Trans Allyship, Unconscious Bias, Disability Awareness, Neurodiversity and Safeguarding and inclusive recruitment including regular non-binary audition sessions.
- Extra rehearsal time, training sessions and wellbeing support for Swan Lake cast.
- Subsidised or free places for all talent development programmes.
- Ongoing professional development for staff, dancers and freelancers, including mental health support through an Employee Assistance Programme.
The Future
Looking to the Future, in 2025/26 New Adventures will strive to
- retain our position as Britain’s most prolific touring dance company
- continue to widen access to dance for audiences
- invest in the future talent of the dance ecology
- continue to deepen our bespoke Placemaking relationships around the UK
- continue to strengthen our organisational resilience
Above all, we will continue to create world-class productions that reach thousands worldwide every year and that are performed by the next generation of exceptional dance talent.