The Lightning Play - Almeida Theatre

Coutts has a very special partnership with
the Almeida Theatre that has flourished over
the last three years. The Almeida is such
an innovative and respected theatre, which
constantly surprises and delights us and our
clients with its ground-breaking productions.
This sponsorship forms an important part
of Coutts’ programme of support for the
performing arts, and I am thrilled that we are
now in our fourth year as Principal Sponsor.
As Principal Sponsor, not only are we helping to
support the rich diversity of productions on the
London stage, but are also able to access the
Almeida’s creative expertise, to help train our staff
and develop the Coutts brand. We were delighted
when the success of this partnership was recognised
by Arts & Business with a nomination in the 2006
Arts & Business Awards.
The relationship between Coutts and the Almeida
continues a long tradition of supporting the arts.
Over time, Coutts has enjoyed a close relationship
with many famous artists, including Frédéric Chopin,
Sir Henry Irving and Charles Dickens.
Indeed, from the late 18th century, Thomas Coutts
and his second wife Harriot, herself an ex actress
and later Duchess of St Albans, supported many of
London’s theatres through charitable donations and
contributed to a fund“for the relief of performers who by
age or infirmities shall be oblig’d to retire from the stage.”
Today, Coutts continues this 300-year heritage,not
only through its ongoing support of the performing
arts, but also through its relationships with many
of the UK’s top figures in the world of entertainment.
On behalf of everyone at Coutts, I wish the Almeida
Theatre every success with this production of
The Lightning Play.
Sarah Deaves, Chief Executive, Coutts & Co