Skip to main content Skip to navigation

The Duke's Playhouse Limited

Also known as: The Dukes

Lancashire's only producing theatre and independent cinema has a diverse programme of performances and world cinema screenings including one of the biggest annual walkabout theatre events in the world and work by and for young people showcased in its own dedicated space, supported by an extensive creative learning programme.

Email Charity

Activities & Mission

Lancashire's only producing theatre and independent cinema has a diverse programme of performances and world cinema screenings including one of the biggest annual walkabout theatre events in the world and work by and for young people showcased in its own dedicated space, supported by an extensive creative learning programme.

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

Latest Income
£1,713,240
Latest Expenditure
£1,884,601

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 93.7%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 56% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 780). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 85.2%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 24% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 11.4%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 29% 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

Donations & Legacies £293,604
Charitable Activities £1,115,847
Other Trading £150,689
Investments £13,863
Other Income £139,237

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £1,605,855
Raising Funds £215,683
Governance £0
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £63,063

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£1,713,240
£1,884,601£1,605,855£430,088£430,08830 / 70
2024
£1,785,859
£1,833,491£1,590,245£601,449£571,34332 / 72
2023
£1,676,807
£1,661,859£1,443,680£649,081£649,08133 / 55
2022
£1,471,052
£1,365,135£1,193,752£634,133£350,00033 / 50
2021
£1,036,257
£823,888£728,504£528,216£200,00028 / 62

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Duke's Playhouse Limited

What does The Duke's Playhouse Limited do?

Lancashire's only producing theatre and independent cinema has a diverse programme of performances and world cinema screenings including one of the biggest annual walkabout theatre events in the world and work by and for young people showcased in its own dedicated space, supported by an extensive creative learning programme.

How much income did The Duke's Playhouse Limited report in 2025?

The Duke's Playhouse Limited reported total income of £1.71m and reported expenditure of £1.88m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is The Duke's Playhouse Limited?

The Duke's Playhouse Limited has a program ratio of 93.7%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 56% of UK Arts charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 780 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was The Duke's Playhouse Limited registered as a charity?

The Duke's Playhouse Limited was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 4 April 1973 as charity number 501935. It has been registered for 53 years.

Who runs The Duke's Playhouse Limited?

The Duke's Playhouse Limited is governed by a board of 7 trustees. The chair of trustees is William Patrick Bancroft. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Duke's Playhouse Limited operate?

The Duke's Playhouse Limited operates in Lancashire, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is The Duke's Playhouse Limited a registered charity?

Yes — The Duke's Playhouse Limited is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 501935.

Details

Address
THE DUKES
MOOR LANE
LANCASTER
LA1 1QE
Registration Date
4 April 1973
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
501935
Charity Number
501935

Is this your charity?

Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.

Claim this listing Learn more about premium profiles

Trustees

William Patrick Bancroft Chair
ANNA SANDRA THORNBERRY
Also governs 1 other charity
Coralie Rogers
Georgia Murphy
Laura Anne Rodwell
Michelle Collins
Professor Dale Townshend

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • The Dukes

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue