Providing entertainment since 1971
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. 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.
Join our production
Are you or were you British Airways cabin crew? Can you sing, act, or dance? Do you have experience of the stage, or have you ever wondered what it might be like to tread the boards? Then, this might be your opportunity to shine!
Some shots from our previous performances
The latest from our world
BACCES is delighted to announce that it has chosen seven charities to benefit from its 2017 production, "Robin Hood":
4Louis (www.4louis.co.uk)
The Cinnamon Trust (www.cinnamon.org.uk)
Histio UK (www.histiouk.org)
Marie Curie (www.mariecurie.org.uk)
Scoliosis Research Society (www.srs.org)
Step by Step (www.stepbystep.org.uk)
Search Dogs Buckinghamshire (www.searchdogsbucks.org.uk)
Representatives from each will be invited to a preview of the show in late November. In addition, a donation from the proceeds of the production will be made to each charity.
Auditions for BACCES' 2017 production, "Robin Hood", will take place on 6th June at 4pm and on 10th June at 11am (Venues to be confirmed). Auditions are open to all current, former, and retired British Airways mainline cabin crew. Can you sing, act, or dance? This could be your time to shine!
Successful auditionees, who are not current BACCES members, will be asked to pay a £15 BACCES subscription prior to rehearsals starting on 4th September. There will also be a £60 "on stage" fee to pay to cover insurances prior to the show starting on 29th November. This can be paid in instalments if preferred.
Have you even wondered what it's like to perform on a professional stage? If so, this could be your chance to shine!Dates for the diary:
6th and 10th June - Auditions
4th September - #1 All-day rehearsal
14th October - #2 All-day rehearsal (09:30 - 17:30)
15th October - #3 All-day rehearsal (09:30 - 17:30)
24th November - #4 All-day dance rehearsal (09:30 - 17:30)
25th November - #5 All-day rehearsal (09:30 - 17:30)
26th November - #6 All-day rehearsal
28th November - #7 Full technical rehearsal
29th November - #8 Full dress rehearsal
29th November to 3rd December - Public performances
*All of the above all-day rehearsals are mandatory for the entire cast. There will also be twice weekly rehearsals on Monday and Thursday evenings (6pm to 10pm) from 6th September to 23rd November when not away or flying.
6th JuneEveryone wishing to audition will be asked to learn a small piece of choreography on the day and to dance as part of a group. So, please wear clothing and footwear suitable for dancing. Audition pieces will be available on the day for those wishing to audition for a principal role. If you are considering auditioning for a principal role, you may also be asked to sing a few bars from Any Dream Will Do (Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) or My Favourite Things (The Sound of Music) for Bobbie, BACCES' Musical Director.4pm to 8pm - St. Andrew's Room, Waterside, Speed Bird Way, West Drayton UB7 0GA
10th June
12pm to 4pm - Blackwater and Hawley Leisure Centre, Memorial Hall, Hawley Green, Camberley GU17 9BW
A brief synopsis and character description can be found in the attached file.
If you are unable to attend either audition, but would still like to be considered, please contact Jane at bacces@hotmail.co.uk or on 07740 675 879 by 9th June.
BREAK A LEG!
Joan Hickman, mother of one of BACCES' founding members Richard, was joined by family, friends and members of BACCES at her Teddington home on Saturday, 10th December, to celebrate her 100th birthday.
Receiving a telegram from Her Majesty the Queen was one of the many highlights of the day. Joan has seen every BACCES production since its conception back in 1970 and has been an avid supporter of the society's great work.Joan was clearly delighted to see so many familiar faces on her very special day. Even the Mayor of Richmond, David Linnette, joined the gathering to mark the occasion.
Everyone at BACCES would like to wish Joan a VERY Happy 100th Birthday.
(Photographs care of Dee Bull)
BACCES was at it again today! Oh yes it was! Denise, Debbie, Mike, and Nick presented a cheque for £600 to Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers from the proceeds of "Sleeping Beauty". Home-Start volunteers, coordinators, and fundraisers were there to welcome BACCES and to give a comprehensive insight into what the charity does and how it helps families in need.
Emma Power, Home-Start Watford & Three Rivers' fundraiser and scheme manager, said the donation really would make a difference. — attending charity presentation with Mike Smith and Debbie Sharples
Members of BACCES also attended a cheque presentation for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) South Herts. Branch at the The Thistle Noke Hotel in St Albans on Monday, 4th July.
BACCES donated £1,000 to this self-funded branch of MND from the proceeds of "Sleeping Beauty".
BACCES is absolutely thrilled to announce that Collette Lucas has won the award for Best Performance in a Pantomime at this year's NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) London Region AGM at the Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar.
Collette, who has been a BACCES member for the past five years, played the menacing Maleficent in their 2016 production, "Sleeping Beauty", at the Watford Palace Theatre back in January. She received rave reviews from local press, NODA, and all those who saw her perform during the five day run.
This is the second time she has been nominated for this award, last year being nominated for her comedic role of Dina in BACCES' 2014 production, " Jack and the Beanstalk".
Collette, who is currently on flying duty in Bangkok, said, "I actually cannot believe this. I am the happiest and most emotional person in Thailand....!"
BACCES would like to congratulate Collette on her fantastic achievement. There will, no doubt, be much celebrating in Bangkok!
By popular demand
The Beck Theatre is a 600-seat theatre in Hayes, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. The Beck is very much a community theatre, offering one-night concerts, drama, comedy, dance, musicals, children's shows, films, opera, pantomime, and a renowned children's summer project.
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