BBLOC History

Singing In The Rain

Director: Aubrey Budd
Musical Director: Ian Peters

Sadly Ricky suffered a heart attack and was unable to continue with the production and Aubrey Budd subsequently took over. Aubrey had worked as a Dancer, Artistic Director, Choreographer and Actor in West End shows and on TV. He was also a Lecturer at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

• The Echo called it a ‘classy and slick show’ which was ‘a credit to amateurs’
• Massive scramble in the interval for Props and Stage Crew to get rid of any water that might have escaped onto the stage in the ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ number.
• Simon Leaton who played Cosmo Brown, fell and dislocated his shoulder while rehearsing for ‘Make ‘em Laugh’ [it certainly didn’t have that affect on him!]
• Barry Howard took over as President

Carousel

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds

Ricky’s second production of ‘CAROUSEL’ for the company – this time with traditional scenery.

Me And My Girl

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds

‘They just seem to get better and better! Regular BBLOC audiences have come to expect shows of the highest standard and this production is no exception. It could easily have been staged in the West End and held its own among the professional ranks.’ [Echo]

Gary Wilmot came to meet the company and give them some tips from his experience in the show.

DID YOU KNOW? When the war was declared in 1939 and all theatres closed as a precaution, ‘ME AND MY GIRL’ was the first show to re-open, with afternoon performances. The Lambeth Walk became a dance craze when simple dance steps were put together by Adele England of the Locarno Dance Circuit, which had 300 venues and bands. Part of the song’s success was that it was danced in a group with no partners as such, which was a great asset when the men started to go off to war shortly afterwards.

42nd Street

Director: Judi Campbell
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds

It was the Southern area amateur premier of the show, produced once again by Judi Campbell.

Another tap dancing show for the company. We even had to build a new floor in the rehearsal hall which then had to be taken up and relaid in the Pavilion for the show!

• A ‘Tapathon’ in Bournemouth Square raised more than £2,300 for Children in Need

My Fair Lady

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds

In spite of the film version being screened in Westover Road the week before, the show was a great success. Marred only by Brenda Baker’s fall from a piece of scenery as she was playing Mrs Pearce.

‘From the leading players to the humblest chorus members, these enthusiasts can turn their hands – in their spare time, it must be remembered – to a performance which would rival anything on the West End stage.’ … ‘The theatre we’re told, is in the doldrums. Not with performances like these to see it’s not!’ [Echo]

Mr Cinders

Autumn

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds

Another autumn production at the Regent Theatre. Vivian Ellis’s role-switching update of the classic fairytale was produced by Michelle Guy.

‘This production wouldn’t disgrace a professional stage and lives up to the sentiment of its best-known song to ‘Spread a little happiness’. Certainly the first night audience went home very happy’. [Echo]

Although it was written in 1929, Mr Cinders enjoyed a modern resurgence when Sting recorded ‘Spread a little happiness’ and ‘She’s my lovely’.

The week at the Regent ended on Sunday with a company concert – ‘MAGICAL MUSICALS’ - in aid of the World Wildlife Fund.

South Pacific

Spring

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds

The Boyfriend

Autumn

Director: Judi Campbell
Musical Director: Ian Peters

A new venture for the company which saw the production of a smaller show in the autumn at the Regent Theatre, Christchurch, providing an opportunity for the youngsters to take principal roles in a smaller theatre. Judi Campbell, who was Brighton-based, produced for the company for the first time. Judi trained and qualified as a teacher of speech/drama/dance and for many years ran her own stage school in Brighton. She is an examiner in speech/drama. Many of her former pupils are now working professionally in theatre and TV. She also performed in and directed many and varied productions over the country, including pantomime.

The Pajama Game

Spring

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds

The show received a disappointing ‘crit’ – with the exception of Sid’s duet with himself!

Fiddler On The Roof

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Ian Peters

• The show ended, as it did in 1974, with the final exit from Anatevka, a bare stage and no curtain calls.
• Comparison of the 1974 and 1992 programmes reveal 15 names of performers and helpers common to both.
• Production costs: 1974 £7,800 - 1992 £32,000
• The company adopted a Guide Dog for the Blind and called it Golde.

Gigi

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Ian Peters

• A financial success and well received by audiences

Guys And Dolls

Director: Ricky Price
Musical Director: Mike Reynolds