WELCOME TO THE BTC PRESS ROOM
press officer: Kevin Monk

key facts

• We are a private members' club, with around 300 members, mostly from Beckenham and the surrounding areas.
• BTC is a registered charity, staffed entirely by volunteers.
• The theatre is managed by a board of 16 trustees.
• We are now in our 62nd year, having celebrated our diamond anniversary in 2008.
• We produce nine full shows every year, approximately every five to six weeks. These usually run for six performances (Monday-Saturday), with the exception of our annual pantomime, which runs for two weeks (15 performances) either side of Christmas
• We also produce four or five "weekend spots" per annum. These are often used as a testing ground for new writing, ideas and directors.
• We are not tied to a particular type of production or specialism, preferring instead to produce a balanced programme of modern and period drama, farce, new work, musicals, cabaret, physical theatre, pantomime and children's shows.
• BTC was first established in 1948 as a children's theatre group operating from Harvey Hall.
• The current premises was converted from a doctor's surgery to a fully functioning theatre in 1960.
• We maintain close links with other amateur theatre groups in the area, particularly Beckenham ADS.
• We have one of the smallest auditoria in the country, with only 47 seats.
• BTC is a member of the Bromley Theatre Guild.
• We enter plays for the Bromley Theatre Guild and Kent Drama Festivals
• Central to everything we do is our thriving children's theatre and youth group. Our young people meet once a week in what has become a cross between a drama class and a youth club, where they learn many different theatrical skills. The groups are free to join for the children of members (though waiting lists are long!)
• Although we are a members' club, joining is easy, and we are very welcoming to new people.
  

contact

Excellent local press coverage always has a positive impact on our attendance and membership figures, so we appreciate and value the support of all local and regional media outlets. Please contact the press officer, Kevin Monk, on 020 8676 4955 (daytime), or by email, or visit our dedicated press hub if you:

• need tickets to review any of our productions
• would like a complimentary press pack
• have any questions about a recent press release
• need a general media comment on behalf of the trustees
• would like to interview directors, writers or actors
• need hi-res photographs of shows, rehearsals and individuals for publication
• wish to find out more about what we do (or fancy a backstage tour)
  

links

• To learn more about our history, please have a look at the about us page.
• For more information about our groups for young people, please see the youth theatre page.
• More about the way we operate - as a business, as a charity and as a theatre - please go to the about us page.
• A full list of our trustees is available from Fleur Buckley.
• More about forthcoming productions and events, please go to the next production and special events pages.
• A CD-rom containing historical and archive images can also be obtained from Fleur Buckley.
• Our house photographer, Tim Hinchliffe may be able to provide photographs for past productions if required.
• If you would like to be sent additional copies of theatre publicity, please contact Melanie Jones.
• For our archive of press releases, please see below.

date

15/12/09

01/02/10

22/03/10

15/04/10

subject

BTC presents third commission from local playwright Alexander Vail [download pdf]

Timely revival for David Hare's "Skylight" at Beckenham [download pdf]

West End "Private Lives" costs eight times as much as Beckenham's [download pdf]

Broadway smash "Lost in Yonkers" comes to Beckenham [download pdf]