to download the production programme as a PDF ... - Almeida Theatre

As Principal Sponsor, Coutts is proud and delighted to be enjoying our sixth
consecutive year in partnership with the Almeida Theatre. It gives me real
pleasure to welcome you to this production of Duet for One.
Our relationship is mutual and is much more
than a sponsorship initiative. We provide financial
support that enables the theatre to explore an
ambitious programme with complete artistic
freedom. In turn, the Almeida Theatre helps
us to improve our communication skills – an
area fundamental to excellent client service and
working relationships. The theatre has helped
us devise imaginative and thought-provoking
workshops for our people. It has also drawn
on its expertise to help us create a film, Portrait
of a Bank, recounting the Coutts & Co story.
Although our current support for the Almeida
Theatre only dates back to its post-refurbishment
re-opening in 2003, it forms part of a longer
tradition of philanthropy and support for the
performing arts. For example, during the late
18th century, Thomas Coutts supported many
of London’s theatres through charitable
donations. He was encouraged in this by his
second wife, Harriot (later the Duchess of
St Albans), who was herself a former actress.
The Coutts archive includes a letter from
Thomas Hull, dated 1786, that thanks Thomas
Coutts for his contribution to a fund “for the
relief of performers who by age or infirmities shall be
oblig’d to retire from the stage”*.
Angela Burdett-Coutts, Thomas Coutts’ grand
daughter, became one of Victorian England’s most
important philanthropists. Today we continue
to support our community through different
initiatives, organised directly by us and through
partner organisations such as The Kids Company.
The press has variously described the Almeida
Theatre as “a powerhouse of British Theatre”
(The Independent) and “a small stage where
giants play” (The Times). We are proud to be
involved with a theatre whose reputation reaches
across the world and feel it is an exciting venue
in which to entertain our clients. We always look
for the best for our clients and are pleased that
we are able to rely on the Almeida Theatre to
consistently meet our exacting standards.
We are thrilled to be able to work so closely
with Michael Attenborough and have enjoyed
the quality and daring of his artistic direction.
On behalf of everyone at Coutts, I wish him
and the Almeida Theatre every success with
this production of Duet for One.
Sarah Deaves, Chief Executive, Coutts & Co
*Letter from Thomas Hull, on behalf of the fund’s organising committee, thanking Thomas Coutts for his liberal donation,
1786 (in possession of the Coutts Archives, 440 Strand London)
2