Badock drama and music
Every chance to use your talents
Music
Badock encourages musical and dramatic talent to the full. Frequent open mic nights in the bar and Variety Nights in the Terrace Room provide a platform for everyone ... stand up comics to ventriloquists, string quartets to Gamalan groups, DJs to choirs - everyone is encouraged to join in and these events get tremendous support from the less adventurous members of Hall.
November 2010 saw a packed audience support the Variety Night and over £50 was raised for charity. This event was so popular that it will be repeated each term giving many more an opportunity to showcase their talents in aid of good causes.
Performances are seen not only from student members of Hall but also Senior Residents who join in to entertain the enthusiastic audiences.
Drama
The hall drama production generates a huge challenge for Badock residents. This is the perfect opportunity for artists, actors, techies, musicians, singers and admin angels to combine their strengths. You never know what you can do until you try ... this is proved time and again.
March 2012 - 'Bugsy Malone'
Once again Badock Drama provided amazing entertainment on a shoestring budget. Accompanied by a very well rehearsed set of high quality musicians (doubling as 'extras') the cast provided spectacle, laughter and great live theatre for their audiences.
Doubling gave the opportunity for many cast members to show their versatility. Ingenious production and an extremely effective, simple set provided the cast plenty of space to act out the fast moving story with its numerous scene changes. The technical support was exceptional and the hard-working stage crew ensured good continuity.
The cast succeeded in painting a convincing picture of gang rivalry; the fight scene in particular was choreographed to perfection. Throughout the play each character held the difficult accent without losing clarity of delivery and where a change of accent was needed this was handled with precision.
March 2011 - 'Arsenic & Old Lace'
This iconic play ran at a superb pace from first to last. Under the very capable direction of Alwin Luchmaya the bizarre Brewster family wreaked their own brand of havoc with excellent timing and characterisation from all actors.
Minimal set and authentic costumes gave a perfect setting. Simple props were used to great effect - not least the window box that hid the remains of two of the unlucky victims. The NYPD officers were well depicted within a truly international cast, making the most of the humour offered by the crazy storyline. Every member of the Brewster family was convincingly mad and this play, which so easily could have been long-drawn out, was played at a cracking pace to the great enjoyment of the audiences.
Such a strong cast delivering a wordy script with ease, made this a memorable night of theatre.
March 2010 - 'Sweeney Todd'
Badock Hall dining hall was skilfully transformed into a seamy 19th Century London set, in March 2010. A very strong cast and chorus, lead by Fergus Simpson as Sweeney Todd and Charlotte Kantor as a delightfully scheming Mrs Lovett, handled very difficult songs with apparent ease. The intricate Sondheim score was delivered admirably by the Badock Orchestra lead by Ned Smith.
Daisy Black as Director made sure her players stayed in character throughout the two hour performances that provided scene after scene of quality theatre supported by ingenious effects, props, costumes and horribly gruesome makeup. The long applause was very well deserved!
A special mention must go to the smooth operation of the barber's chair and the convincing deaths of Mr Todd's victims, all of whom slipped to an untimely demise to great effect.
February 2009 - ' Guys 'n Dolls'
With only 5 weeks' rehearsal a top class cast and inspired orchestra gave performances way and above any that have been enjoyed previously by Badock audiences.
There was not a weak link, with strong characterisations from all members. The chemistry between Adelaide and Nicely Nicely was electric supported by a production bursting with fine cameos, each carefully honed to perfection.
Every aspect of the production had been professionally interwoven to make a memorable evening enjoyed by maximum audiences. Well done to the joint directors Holly and Rozzy, also to Simon Birch the Musical Director who kept the orchestra absolutely on the beat!