EXAMPLE PROFILE

This vibrant theatre was established back in 1938 (making next year our 70th anniversary year) on its present site which was converted from an old Victorian bakery. It is in a fairly unique position within the UK's amateur theatre world, in respect that it has its own fully-equipped theatre complete with sound & lighting systems. Add to this the versatile staging area, a 113-seat / 12-row auditorium (with flip-up West End-style seating), and you will find yourself left with an extremely wide scope for performing a variety of events and productions.

BLT receives no external financial support and derives its income solely from membership fees and profits from productions. It is, therefore, vital that our membership continues to grow and our productions achieve maximum audience levels in order to sustain our existence.

BLT has a large membership of around 1,000, and provides a wonderful opportunity to experience theatre in a near-professional environment.

BLT presents 11 full-length plays a year, one a month, with the exception of August, although commencing this year, the first weekend in August will host the first BLT Youth Group showcase. Afterwhich, throughout the remainder of the month, essential works and maintenance of the theatre is undergone. Each production begins at 7.45pm and covers an extensive eight-night run (Youth Group showcase is 2 nights) commencing always on a Friday (no performance Sunday).

Our purpose is to present the best of contemporary dramas, comedies, thrillers, farces, musical productions as well as the classics. We also aim to present occasional new plays which our members may not normally have the occasion to see. ln recent years, BLT has given a number of plays their premiere production in the UK.

We are always keen to include new people in our productions and BLT offers a wide-range of opportunities for acting, costume, lighting & sound design/operation as well as set design and construction. With 11 productions a year, there is plenty of scope for involvement in all aspects of theatre production and management.

The forerunner to BLT was the Bromley Little Theatre Movement, started in 1934 by H.Wilson Pook. In 1935, he took a lease on the then derelict and vacant Victorian ex-Co-operative Bakery in North Street.

Not long after this, Mr Pook relinquished the running to Colonel John Leather and his wife, Betty, known professionally as Bett Pinchard. They brought to Bromley Little many of the disciplines and high standards they had acquired in their professional life. The Theatre continued to run up to the outbreak of WW II, but the blitz and call-up of members to the Services, meant the theatre was dark for most of the war years.

From 1946 - 1965, John Leather presented plays of a very high standard and wide variety. In 1954, the stage was extended to its present size and the number of seats in the auditorium was extended to 113, the number we have today.

In 1960, our President, Michael York OBE, appeared in My Three Angels with Adrian Brine (who also went on to become a professional actor and director).

We are proud that many other actors and directors have gone on to achieve great success in the professional theatre.

Bromley Little Theatre is a membership theatre club licensed by the London Borough of Bromley, and as such, you will need to join BLT by becoming a member of BLT’s Playgoers’ Club in order to:

Receive our FREE “Spotlights” magazine.

Participate in productions.

Book tickets for performances.

Benefit from discounted ticket prices.

Sign-in guests to performances.

Use the BLT bar and facilities.

Non-members are welcome to audition for productions but would need to join if cast.

Membership rates:

Standard (single membership): £15.00

Couples (living at same address): £23.00

Student (full-time): £6.00

Junior (under 18 years): £6.00

As members only pay £6.00 per ticket, compared to £8.00 for guests, the benefits are obvious. A standard single membership of £15.00 is easily saved after watching 8 out of 11 productions throughout the year.

15th - 23rd JUNE - once a catholic, by Mary O’Malley.

20th - 28th JULY - on the razzle, by Tom Stoppard.

3rd - 4th August - YOUTH THEATRE SHOWCASE

14th - 22nd septEMBER - the best little whorehouse in texas,

by Larry L. King & Peter Masterson, music & lyrics by Carol Hall.

12th - 20th october - DEATH OF A SALESMAN, by Arthur Miller.

9th - 17th november - feelgood, by Alistair Beaton.

7th - 15th december - cinderella, written and directed by David Evans.

SPECIAL OFFER - Join Bromley Little Theatre now, and see your first show free of charge!!

Calling all 11 - 18 year-olds! BLT now has a Youth Group. Every Saturday from 10am - 1pm. Young people, with a passion for drama, can attend performance workshops, run by our experienced tutors, take part in a summer production on the BLT stage (dates above) and enjoy all the benefits of being a full BLT member ...including a FREE ticket to your first show!