Play To The Crowd
Also known as: The Live Theatre Winchester Trust, Theatre Royal Winchester
Play to the Crowd Ltd (trading as Theatre Royal Winchester) is a 400 seat regional theatre situated in Winchester City providing a professional programme of mixed genre performances, and is the base for Hat Fair, street arts festival. The theatre also includes a Participation and Learning Department and facilities for hire.
Activities & Mission
Play to the Crowd Ltd (trading as Theatre Royal Winchester) is a 400 seat regional theatre situated in Winchester City providing a professional programme of mixed genre performances, and is the base for Hat Fair, street arts festival. The theatre also includes a Participation and Learning Department and facilities for hire.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Local Authority
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 55% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 780). How is this calculated?
Higher than 41% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 42% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £2,666,061 | £2,685,613 | £2,489,694 | £1,049,177 | £517,187 | 24 / 90 |
| 2024 | £2,607,394 | £2,597,624 | £2,407,947 | £1,068,729 | £315,162 | 22 / 150 |
| 2023 | £2,265,961 | £2,436,721 | £2,242,109 | £1,058,959 | £561,924 | 21 / 150 |
| 2022 | £1,926,953 | £1,863,315 | £1,709,382 | £1,228,603 | £387,611 | 22 / 100 |
| 2021 | £1,657,731 | £1,059,012 | £972,611 | £1,166,081 | £478,153 | 25 / 102 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Play To The Crowd
What does Play To The Crowd do?
Play to the Crowd Ltd (trading as Theatre Royal Winchester) is a 400 seat regional theatre situated in Winchester City providing a professional programme of mixed genre performances, and is the base for Hat Fair, street arts festival. The theatre also includes a Participation and Learning Department and facilities for hire.
How much income did Play To The Crowd report in 2025?
Play To The Crowd reported total income of £2.67m and reported expenditure of £2.69m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Play To The Crowd?
Play To The Crowd has a program ratio of 93.4%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 55% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 780 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Play To The Crowd registered as a charity?
Play To The Crowd was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 24 August 1999 as charity number 1077139. It has been registered for 27 years.
Who runs Play To The Crowd?
Play To The Crowd is governed by a board of 12 trustees. The chair of trustees is Mark Byford. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Play To The Crowd operate?
Play To The Crowd operates in Hampshire, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.
Is Play To The Crowd a registered charity?
Yes — Play To The Crowd is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1077139.
Details
22-23 Jewry Street
Winchester
SO23 8SB
Registry Information
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Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- The Live Theatre Winchester Trust
- Theatre Royal Winchester
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated