BAD Company – or, more formally, Blockley Amateur Dramatic Company – was founded on 12 February 2006. It evolved from productions of the Old Testament and New Testament Mystery Plays that had been directed by Chris Jury at the turn of the millennium and drew together a large company of all ages and backgrounds from the Blockley community.
BAD Company’s initial venture was a variety concert staged in October 2006 as a fund-raiser for its first full scale production called Romeo and the Pirate Princess that took place in February 2007. It was written and directed by Don Jowett who had previously written the script for Blockley’s Old Testament Mystery Plays. Another variety concert was produced by Don and Irene Jowett in November 2007.
In October 2010 Don Jowett wrote and directed “a comedy with music and dance” called As We Like It and, in 2011, the company staged its first Old Time Music Hall – best remembered for the Blockley Blokes Synchronised Swimming Olympic Challenge.
Further productions followed and have included Strictly Canterbury Tales, Trevor, Have You Forgotten Yet?, The Orchestra, Last Tango in Blockley, Blithe Spirit, Daisy Pulls it Off, Alice in Wonderland, The Children, Cranford, Bazaar and Rummage, Cowardy Custard, ‘Allo ‘Allo, Entertaining Angels and Bedroom Farce. See further details here.
You can find out about our next production here and join our mailing list to receive details of all future productions here.
In addition to staging its own shows, BAD Company has collaborated with The Loft Theatre Company at Leamington Spa in staging several productions directed by William Wilkinson. The company also hosts productions by The Rain or Shine Theatre Company that are performed on Churchill Close (or indoors if it rains).
BAD Company thrives on an active social programme that includes Burns Night dinners, eating out (“Bad Taste”), theatre trips and play reading. Over the years BAD Company has been able to make sizeable donations from its productions to assist a number of worthy village causes.
The company always welcomes new members and offers many opportunities for helping back stage, as well as treading the boards. To find out more, contact Jenny Bruce at jenny@jennybruce.co.uk.