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.
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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
Members of BACCES met in The Butterfly Suite at North Hampshire Hospital (Basingstoke) on Tuesday, 26th June, to present a 'cuddle cot' and 'memory boxes' from the proceeds of its 2017 production, Robin Hood.
The Society gave £4,000 to 4Louis - a UK charity that works across the country to support anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and the death of a baby or child - to purchase two cuddles cots and twenty-seven memory boxes, which were then donated to North Hampshire Hospital and Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea Hospital.
The Butterfly Suite, which is part of North Hampshire Hospital's Maternity Department, offers private accommodation and a delivery room specifically for stillbirths. It has six specially trained midwives there to support families who are dealing with the trauma of a stillbirth.
Lead Bereavement Midwives in the unit, Jess Rogers and Laura Mackie, thanked BACCES for the donation and said "the cuddle cot would give families precious time with their babies" and would offer "a small comfort that can mean so much to a family suffering the loss of a baby."
BACCES would like to thank the unit and its staff for the wonderful welcome it received.The memory boxes, some of which were donated to the unit's The Forget Me Not Fund, hold treasured keepsakes such as a poem, a candle, a cuddly toy, photographs (if requested), and other items to help families cope with their bereavement.
In loving memory of Elena Avideah Gray (3rd March 2017)
Members of BACCES donated a cheque for £1,500 to Step by Step, Crimea Road, Aldershot, on Tuesday, 26th June. The donation was made from the proceeds of the Society's 2017 production, Robin Hood.
This charity works to empower young people and prevent homelessness by providing accommodation, personal development opportunities, and specialist support services while getting to the root of individuals' issues. often mental health related. It is very much about prevention through its counselling services and support network.
Kirsty Charlton (Events Coordinator) gave those present a guided tour of the tailor-made facilities on Crimea Road while explaining about the fantastic and vital work this charity does for the local community. Referrals to the charity often come from local doctors and schools.
The charity's 'Step 1' programme offers supported lodgings and foyer accommodation with individual bedrooms and shared living facilities - kitchen, living area, and laundry facilities - for up to fifteen people for between six and 12 months according to an individual's needs. Its 'Step 2' programme offers four four-bed, self-contained flats where individuals learn to cohabitate and gain vital life skills such as paying bills, doing their own grocery shopping, cleaning, et cetera. It also has an emergency bed when required.
Step by Step teaches its residents about budgeting, cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. It also requires those residents who are not in employment or education to partake in some form of training from 10am to midday and from 2pm to 4pm Monday to Friday.Kirsty later explained that some former residents have become brand ambassadors, mentors and counsellors. She also told of the great camaraderie among the foyer's residents where a sense of belonging and purpose is instilled. More information about the great work this charity does can be found at https://www.stepbystep.org.uk/
BACCES is absolutely delighted to announce that it has been awarded the much coveted 'It's Behind You' trophy for the outstanding production of a pantomime - Robin Hood 2017 - at the NODA (National Operatic and Dramatic Association) London Region AGM in Radlett, Hertfordshire.
BACCES also won the Kathleen Oyler District Award for Chorus Work and the Nigel Gravette District Award for Best Performance in a Pantomime (Nick Young as the Sheriff of Nottingham). Needless to say, everyone in BACCES and all those involved in its 2017 production are thrilled at this exciting news. Lisa Bennett (Robin Hood script writer) and Jane Bowditch (Robin Hood director) were chuffed to bits. Both praised the hard work and dedication of the entire team.
Jane and her husband, David, received the trophy on behalf of BACCES. BACCES will be at the NODA National AGM gala dinner on Saturday, 22nd September in Wokingham where the national award winners wil be announced. Break a leg, BACCES!
BACCES donated £16,000 from the proceeds of Robin Hood to its chosen charities.
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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