A brief look at some of the key points in the history of B.A.T.S.
| 1971 |
The Brantham Community Council is formed. |
| 1972 |
The Community Council Drama Group put on their
first pantomime - "Tom Thumb", produced and directed by Rick Aust. |
| 1975 |
Peter and Barbara Bird take over the production
of the Pantomimes and begin writing their own. |
| 1978 |
 |
Two irksome idiots, by the name of Nixon and Wilson, take
part in their first panto - "Dick Whittington". |
|
| 1981 |
The "Brantham Players" perform their first play
- "Goodnight Mrs. Puffin", produced by Peter Bird. |
| 1982 |
The Community Council Drama Group change their
name to "Brantham Amateur Theatrical Society" and form an autonomous
subcommittee within the Community Council. |
| 1984 |
Peter and Barbara Bird write and produce their
last panto "Ali Baba". They leave B.A.T.S. |
| 1985 |
Keith Nixon and Mark Wilson take over and produce
their first Pantomime - "Cinderella". |
| 1985 |
The Community Council disbands and B.A.T.S. are
left as an independent drama group. |
| 1986 |
Liz Hapley forms the forerunner of "Junior B.A.T.S.".
It is named by the children "Action Pack". |
| 1987 |
Phil King constructs the two-foot stage extension
with the help of Ransome and Rapiers. |
| 1987 |
"Action Pack" folds when Liz Hapley moves away
and no replacement is found. |
| 1988 |
The balcony is built, replacing the scaffold
tower, at a cost of £5000. |
| 1989 |
B.A.T.S. perform their first musical - "The Wizard
Of Oz". The balcony is used for the first time. A power cut 15 minutes
before curtain up delays the start for nearly an hour. |
| 1989 |
The Berlin wall falls allowing residents of the
former Eastern block to see a B.A.T.S. production for the first
time. |
| 1989 |
After failing to get into the Ipswich Drama Festival
for the umpteenth time, B.A.T.S. hold the first Brantham Play Festival. |
| 1990 |
Nelson Mandela is released from jail, although
he declines the offer of complimentary tickets to Dick Whittington.
|
| 1991 |
After the sad death of B.A.T.S. stalwart Judith
Chatterton, B.A.T.S. organise and perform in a charity show, supported
by other local drama groups and individuals. They make over £1000
for leukaemia support groups. |
| 1997 |
B.A.T.S. perform their first rock musical, "Flash",
to critical acclaim. The purpose built costume store (The Battery)
is built in the grounds of the Village Hall at a cost of £5000. |
| 1999 |
Nixon and Wilson write their very own pantomime
- "The King, The Kipper and The Magic Bush". B.A.T.S.
join the World Wide Web with batsonline.com. |
| 2000 |
B.A.T.S. pack their bags and head for The Regal Theatre in Stowmarket
for a special one day performance of "The Vackees". |
| 2001 |
Keith stands down as Chairman after 16 years. Phil Greenwood steps
into his shoes. |
| 2003 |
Keith and Mark produce their last and most ambitious show - Return
to the Forbidden Planet. |
| 2004 |
Andy Kimber, Parp-Organ Pin-Up and regular to the B.A.T.S. stage,
takes over the reigns to produce and direct his first show - The Pied
Piper of Hamelin, which he also co-wrote. |
