'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.'
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.
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.
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 St Paul’s, Landford Way, Throop, Bournemouth on either a Monday or Wednesday evening.
Auditions into the company are free.
Standard performing membership costs £10 per month with a variable additional amount for a show performance fee.
Non-performing subscriptions are £35 per annum, 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.
Rehearsal nights are Mondays and Wednesdays 7.15pm until 10.00pm at St Paul’s, Landford Way, Throop, Bournemouth, BH8 0NY.
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.
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
Stage Crew
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.
President
Su Pollard
Chairman
Darren Ellery
Vice Chairman
Communications Manager
Sarah Boyce
Secretary
Carole Gadsby
Treasurer
Sarah Stevens
Chris Smith
Minute Secretary
Steve Smith
Subscriptions,
GDPR & Website
Andy Blyth
Others
Becky Bagnall
Sarah Jane-Busk
Jenny Corbin
Fiona Fox