¬ MEMORIES FROM THE
EARLY YEARS –
BACCES ON TOUR
During the 1970’s BACCES took the show
overseas four times. Their first jaunt was to Gibraltar in 1971.
Pete Povey one of our original cast members recalls:-
“After the success of the first Review Shows in March 71 myself
and my then fiancée Jenny booked our wedding for the 2nd October
to be followed by a two week honeymoon in Greece. Shortly after
this the trip to Gibralter was announced. I recall saying to
Jenny that I wouldn't be able to do it but she suggested we cut
our honeymoon down to one week, return to London and fly out to
Gibraltar with the cast to do the show. I vaguely remember her
saying "I really should be there as I have to look after
Dougie's wigs". A star of the show was the late Dougie Hand. He
was a Danny La Rue style drag act who performed under
the name of Dougie Bouvier. When he found out that Jenny was a
trained hairdresser he 'seconded' her to look after his wigs and
help him get ready.
The show did well in Gibraltar but before we could even rehearse
the theatre had to be cleaned and the removal of rats and mice
was necessary! The cast and crew all mucked in. I remember the
name on the main dressing room door was Helen Shapiro and it was
covered in cobwebs! We definitely don’t regret our ‘alternative’
honeymoon and like BACCES have just celebrated our 40th
Anniversary.”
More foreign trips followed – to Malta in ’72 and Marbella in
’74 and then the last ever tour to Cyprus was in May 1977. Six
of our current BACCES regulars were on the Cyprus trip - Dee
Bull, Lesley Dickinson, Diane Goatcher, Richard Hickman, Willie
McInnes and Ted Wisby. The purpose of the trip was to entertain
the troops (both Army and RAF) at the bases and in addition they
also performed at the Hilton hotel in Nicosia. The whole week
away was paid for by the airline. (They had the money then!)
They flew there in a Tristar and before landing Diane, Dee and
the other dancers went to the under floor galley to change into
their can can costumes. They proceeded to 'can can 'down the
steps onto the tarmac to mark their arrival to the waiting
press. It wasn’t all glamour as they found themselves changing
in tents at the bases but it all added to the fun and needless
to say they had an absolute ball!
¬ MEET THE TEAM
| COMMITTEE MEMBERS |
David Bowditch
President Emeritus |
Werner Schwardtmann
Chairman |
Jo
Dickenson
Vice Chairman |
Mike Smith
Hon. Treasure |
Jane Bowditch
Secretary |
|
Lisa Bennett |
Dee Bull
|
Sue
Jupe Dodds |
Suzette Farrier
|
Diane Goatcher
|
Carole Jarratt
|
Richard Hickman
|
Terry Hunt
|
Derek Tennant |
Brian
Stubbington |
Alison Singler |
|
| PRODUCTION TEAM |
Damian Sandys
Director |
Bobbie Field
Musical Director |
Jane
Bowditch
Assistant Director |
Suzette Farrier
Technical Manager |
Terry
Hunt
Set Designer |
Jonathan Haynes
Lighting Designer |
Stephane Scotto di Perrotolo
Music Editor |
|
| CHOREOGRAPHERS |
Derek Tennant |
Diane
Goatcher |
Amanda Whewell |
Stewart O'Sullivan |
| COMMERCIAL |
Ted Wisby
Box Office Manager |
Alan Marchal
Web Designer |
|
|
|
|
¬
OUR 40TH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
To mark the momentous occasion of our 40th Anniversary,
BACCES decided that celebrations were in order. In March
this year – 40 years on from the exact date of the first
curtain call, we held a private party for the current
society members.
In addition, we decided to hold an ‘extravaganza’ of dinner,
dancing and cabaret later in the year, to which former
members, Patrons of the society and some of our most loyal
supporters would be invited. And so on the 17th September at
Kempton Park Racecourse, with 128 guests, we celebrated in
style. Chris Devereux, our first Director and Founder member
flew in from Brisbane, and many of the original cast members
were there, some having not seen each other for over 20
years. After welcome drinks and a beautiful meal the
audience were treated to a cabaret - provided, naturally, by
some of our present and former cast. The entertainment
ranged from dance, singing, to stand-up comedy and even a
spot of magic. It was truly a fantastic evening - enjoyed by
all.
A big "Thank you" goes to Mike Trickey, one of our Patrons,
who was sadly unable to attend the evening, but sent a
generous donation to kick start our fund raising for this
year. Also a "Huge Thank You" goes to our dear friend and
Patron Mike Street, Chairman of Kempton Park, who attended
the evening and very generously donated a fantastic raffle
prize of a box at the races for 12 people.
Finally, BACCES members wish to thank the committee members
Jane Bowditch, Dee Bull, Diane Goatcher and Mike Smith for
all their hard work in organizing such a fantastic event for
us all to share.
LIST OF PREVIOUS SHOWS
 December
2011 Now That's What I Call Panto!
December
2010 Snow White
December
2009 Ali Baba
December
2008 Robin Hood
December
2007 Cinderella
December
2006 Treasure Island
December
2005 Sleeping Beauty
December
2004 Dick Whittington
December
2004 Dick Whittington
December
2003 Aladdin
December
2002 Beauty and the Beast
December
2001 Snow White
(the 30th Anniversary of the Company)
November
2000 Jack and the Beanstalk
November
1999 Sinbad
November
1998 Robin Hood
November
1997 Puss in Boots
November
1996 Cinderella
November
1995 Mother Goose
November
1994 The Sleeping Beauty
November
1993 Dick Whittington
November
1992 Aladdin
November
1991 Cinderella
January
1990 Treasure Island
November
1989 Treasure Island
December
1988 Snow White
December
1987 Ali Baba
December
1985 Robin Hood
November
1983 Dick Whittington
December
1982 Sleeping Beauty
December
1981 Humpty Dumpty
December
1980 Cinderella
December
1979 Aladdin
(the first proper pantomime)
February
1979 Show '79
November
1977 Down to Earth
May
1977 A London Revue
(as a touring company in Cyprus)
December
1976 Full Circle
(at the Planet Theatre Slough)
April
1976 Drooping The Colour
(at Acton Town Hall)
January
1975 Cinderella
(at Greenford Hall, Greenford)
November
1974 A Musical Revue
(at a hotel in Marbella, Spain)
November
1973 At His Majesty's Pleasure
(at Greenford Hall, Greenford)
December
1972 A Musical Revue
(at the Manouel Theatre, Malta)
May
1972 A Surprise Package
(at Greenford Hall, Greenford)
October
1971 Cabin Crew Music Hall
(the same review taken to Gibraltar)
April
1971 Cabin Crew Music Hall
(at Chiswick Town Hall)
March
1971 Cabin Crew Music Hall
(at York House, Twickenham) |
| |
| OUR PATRONS |
Keith Williams
Lord Marshall
Mike Street
Chris Byron
EMCOR
Mike Trickey
Joy Horden
|
|