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 ¬ BACCES GIVES HOPE AT GREAT ORMOND STREET 05.11.2013  On
23rd October, 2013, BACCES presented a cheque for £400 from
monies raised from their 2012 pantomime production, "Aladdin",
to Mr. Tom Walker (Honorary SpR in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery)
of P.A.G.E.S. (Philippines America Group of Educators and
Surgeons) within Operation H.O.P.E. (Help Other People Excel) at
Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. Operation H.O.P.E. was founded in 1988 by DR. J.P. Clawson, and has treated more than 3,000 children with congenital birth defects and other facial deformities such as cleft lips and palates for free. It provides life-changing surgical care, healthcare, and medical training programs in under-developed areas of the world. A collaboration of medical and non-medical volunteers was established through private and corporate sponsorship. P.A.G.E.S. anaesthesiologist, Dr. Mark Catolico (Senior Registrar in Anaesthesia & Neonatal & Paediatric Care), who has been involved since 2007, explained," Each corrective procedure takes between 35 and 45 minutes to complete, depending on its complexity. We average in the region of 200 hundred corrective surgeries per mission." As Operation H.O.P.E. grew, so other sub-groups within the foundation were formed to target specific countries around the world. P.A.G.E.S. was subsequently established in the Philippines specifically to identify a permanent warehouse to store donated supplies and equipment; to conduct medical and surgical missions, and to expand them throughout the year; to serve as the first point of contact in case of a nationwide catastrophic emergency or natural disasters; for the immediate delivery of needed emergency supplies; and to assist other humanitarian efforts and assignments. Dr.Tom Walker became involved with Operation H.O.P.E. in 2005 following the example set by his peer, Mr. Peter Ayliffe (Consultant Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon), who joined the charity in 1997 and has been involved in similar projects in India, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. Mr. Walker added,"We are very grateful to BACCES for this donation. It is through the generosity and continued support of groups such as yours that Operation H.O.P.E. and P.A.G.E.S. can continue their global work and missions." BACCES is currently preparing for its 2013 pantomime production of "Dick Whittington", which will run from 3rd to 8th December, 2013, at The Beck Theatre, Hayes. Tickets are on sale now. (from left to right): Steve Adderley, Mr. Tom Walker, Mr. Peter Ayliffe, Dr. Mark Catolico, Victor Texeira, David Bowditch, Mike Smith. ¬ LSO STRIKES CHORD WITH BACCES 09.10.2013  In October
1983, the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) embarked on a
four-and-a-half week round-the-world tour with British Airways.
It was the last commercial flight of a BA Boeing 707 aircraft.
It also represented the beginning of a longstanding relationship
between the orchestra and the British Airways Cabin Crew
Entertainment Society (BACCES).The tour took the musicians to the USA, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Malaysia. During this time, two flight and cabin crews - each doing half the tour - cared for the LSO members on board. This added great continuity for the musicians and crew alike as the 707 became 'home' to the orchestra. Needless to say, great friendships were forged during this time. Lucinda Young, who still works for the airline, albeit as an 'Auntie' chaperoning unaccompanied children through the airport processes, was on the second crew and freely admits it was the trip of a lifetime. "Spending two weeks with such brilliant musicians was not just educational but huge fun too. The front of the aircraft held a mound of musical instruments in their cases where the First Class cabin is usually found. It didn't take long to find out who sat where and who drank what!" she remarks. Following the 1983 tour, many friendships continued between LSO members and BA colleagues. At the time, the late Maurice Murphy MBE was the LSO's Principal Trumpet and a soloist on the classical scene. He was also the star player of many film scores written by John Williams (including Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Arc, and Harry Potter). When Maurice learnt about BACCES, of which Lucinda was and is a member, and their annual pantomime, he decided to put together a small group of musicians consisting of a double bass and brass players to record the backing tracks for their show. Since then, the LSO has been generously offering its musical expertise and an afternoon of its time every year to record many backing tracks for BACCES' forthcoming shows. Up to forty musicians work their magic on arrangements by and under the watchful eye of Bobbie Field, BACCES' very own MD. "BACCES would simply not be in a position to pay for such sessions. They are offered through friendship and a genuine desire to 'give back', as the members of "Murphy's Band" will tell you," adds Lucinda. From its conception in 1971, BACCES has donated more than £1 million to a wide variety of local and national charities. It is currently rehearsing for its upcoming panto', "Dick Whittington", which will run from 3rd-8th December 2013 at The Beck Theatre, Hayes. Some thirty years on, and the spirit of the trip of a lifetime continues. Lucinda and six LSO members who were on the world tour celebrated with a specially commissioned cake at this year's BACCES recordings with the LSO at Angel Studios, London. ¬ INTRODUCING OUR 2013 PRODUCTION: DICK WHITTINGTON! 26.09.2013 SynoPsis  “Why’s
there never a Fairy around when you need one?” asks Dick
Whittington as the night draws in on his first night in London.
Well, fortunately for Dick, Fairy Bowbells is on hand to help Dick in his search for a fortune. She is instrumental in introducing Dick to Alderman Fitzwarrwen, who takes him in for the night, much to the dismay of his cook, Sarah. However, Dick also meets the Alderman’s daughter, Alice…and love starts to blossom. But (being Panto, it’s a nasty ‘but’) King Rat has Dick in his sights and tries to get him into trouble by stealing Alice’s precious necklace, and hiding it in Dicks room. Meanwhile, Dick makes a new friend. A rat catching cat, who just happens to be in the area…thanks to Fairy Bowbells! The following morning, only Alice believes in Dicks’ innocence when the hopeless Inspector Cleudo finds the hidden necklace and points the finger, very firmly, at Dick. Encouraged by Alice, Dick and his cat make a run for it, but soon realises that running away from his accusers is not the answer, so he decides to return. Knowing Alderman Fitzwarren is due to set sail for Morocco that afternoon, Dick heads for London Docks, where he finds the final preparations being made for the journey. He finds Alice who’s not so sure everyone is ready to listen to his story, so the two of them hide on board the ship as it sets sail on its long haul voyage! Unfortunately, King Rat and a few of his mates have also stowed away on the ship. All seems to be going swimmingly for the jolly Captain Codpiece and his crew, until King Rat decides to summon up a storm and sink the ship, in an attempt to drown Dick and everyone on board. Needless to say, it wouldn’t be Panto if everyone didn’t survive, so, as if nothings happened, Alderman Fitzwarren manages to keep his appointment with the Sultan of Morocco and his wife, who appear to be having a bit of a rat problem in the Palace. Thankfully, Dick and his rat catching cat are on hand to help rid the Palace of the pests, much to the delight of the Sultan, BUT….King Rat’s not finished yet! So how will Dick be rewarded? What happens to King Rat? Where will Alderman Fitzwarren find enough crew to get back to London on the Sultans new Deam Crusie Liner? Will Dick get his girl? To find out, you’ll just have to come along and join Dick and his cat on their adventure, along with Alice, Alderman Fizwarren, Sarah the Cook and many other characters, and they sing, dance and over act their way through a colourful evening of entertainment for all the family. |
¬ WHAT IS BACCES?
BACCES is a non-profit charitable organisation which was originally set up in 1970 by two British European Airways (BEA) stewards who wrote a comedy review and staged it at York House in March 1971, Twickenham, UK for two nights. It was so popular that it ran for a further three sell out nights at Chiswick Town Hall. The national press  heard
of this venture and prompted "Jak" of the Evening
Standard to publish a cartoon lampooning the efforts of
BA cabin crew. Since
that time the company have been producing reviews and,
more recently, and to great acclaim, pantomimes in aid
of national and local charities. The company writes,
directs and produces the whole show with very little
help from outside sources.In 2008 BACCES won the Flame Award for Inspirational Excellence in Theatre from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association for their 2007 production of Cinderella.
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