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About BBLOC


Mission Statement

'To put on the best show that we possibly can, at a realistic price to the public, to raise money for local causes and to entertain our audiences.'


Who Are We?

We are Bournemouth’s biggest amateur musical theatre company. We are a happy friendly company where everyone is valued, whether backstage, front of house, production team, or performer.


What Do We Do?

BBLOC currently stages a musical annually usually between March and July, at the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, and performs concerts/cabaret in the area throughout the year.

Over the last 60 years, BBLOC has donated over £60,000 to charities as varied as Bournemouth Heart Club, Poole Special Care Baby Unit, Lewis Manning Hospice, Julia Perks, Jigsaw Appeal, Youth Cancer Trust, About Face and Macmillan Caring Locally.

We have social and fundraising events from time to time through the year.


How Do I Join?

Entry into the company is by audition, on a rehearsal evening, those present are: Our Resident Choreographer, Chairman and some members of the committee.

Prospective members will be required to sing, but it is not necessary to be able to read music. A prepared dance is helpful, otherwise you may be asked to perform some simple movements by the dance mistress. Details of your acting ability can be useful.

If you wish to join as a non-performing member then please come along to Corpus Christi, Parkwood Road, Boscombe on either a Monday or Wednesday evening.


How Much Will It Cost?

Auditions into the company are free.

Standard performing membership costs £72 per annum with a variable additional amount for a show performance fee.

Non-performing subscriptions are £35, and this includes concert performers.

Costumes for the shows are provided by the company, but members will be required to provide their own shoes, jewellery, tights and hairpieces for the women; shirts, socks and shoes for the men. Rehearsals are taken wearing appropriate practice clothes and dance shoes if required.


How Often Do I Have To Attend?

Rehearsal nights are Mondays 7.30pm until 10.30pm and Wednesdays 7.00pm until 10.00pm at Corpus Christi Parish Centre, St James Square, Boscombe, Bournemouth, BH5 2BX.

When the Director is setting the show, you may be called every night for a week or other nights during a week and we also use some Sundays.

Nearer to the show, rehearsals intensify and a greater commitment is needed, both for rehearsals and publicity purposes.


Will I Automatically Have A Place In The Next Show?

Principals and dancers have to audition for every show, and depending on the show sometimes chorus as well. Musicals vary greatly in the numbers of performers involved, sometimes the whole company is used, sometimes the cast is limited to particular ages and abilities, e.g. West Side Story.

BBLOC endeavors to choose commercial productions that use as many of the company as possible. All company members are able to perform in our concerts all year round. There are many jobs backstage which always need to be filled:

Props
Dressers
Pit Singers

Programme Seller
Wardrobe


OK, so hopefully that’s everything covered
We look forward to meeting you shortly.

Good Luck for the audition

You can fill in our membership audition form online via the Audition Request page.

Committee Members

President
Su Pollard

Chairman
Darren Ellery

Vice Chairman
Rachel Forsdike

Communications Manager
Sarah Boyce

Secretary
Carole Gadsby

Treasurer
Sarah Stevens
Chris Smith

Minute Secretary
Steve Smith

Subscriptions,
GDPR & Website

Andy Blyth

Others
Becky Bagnall
Jenny Corbin
Matt Stockham


Macmillan Caring Locally - Golden Partner
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Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company