The Society’s History
An Idea is Born
In 1926, Mr Bernard Boylan, was persuaded by his sister to attend a show given by the Provident Clothing Supply Company’s Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. Later, in 1927, his idea for a Catholic society became a reality with the foundation of St Josephs Musical and Dramatic Society.
The Society’s first show, in November 1927, was to be ‘A Nautical Knot’; and members for both on and off the stage were recruited from the parishioners. Hard work followed, costumes made, scenery painted, props borrowed or made, rehearsals commenced and the Society became a hive of activity.
The show ran for three nights in the Parish hall and was a huge success making a magnificent profit of £120 – a small fortune at the time.
In 1930 the name of the Society was changed to The Horton Catholic Players. However the following year, this was changed again to be more inclusive to all parishes in the area and so The Bradford Catholic Players was created.
The Bradford Catholic Players (BCP)
The Society and its followers grew steadily and, in 1934, to accommodate its growing membership, the decision was taken to perform in larger premises – The Co-operative Hall in Southgate, Bradford.
Rehearsal facilities were acquired within St Patrick’s school hall, thanks to Canon Curran, and the Society rehearsed there for many years until the School was burnt down in 1966. Many Society records were lost along with a vast amount of irreplaceable sheet music and three valuable pianos.
Fortunately the Polish Club (Edmund St, Bradford) opened its doors to the Society and we used their rehearsal facilities for the next four years. Lack of space prompted the next move to Church House (North Parade, Bradford) where we rehearsed until 1975. Church House closed as a business concern and the Society was on the move again, this time we were able to use the facilities at St Mary’s Church (East Parade, Bradford).
For the last twenty years the Society has used the old School Hall attached to St Patrick’s Church which is situated on Rebecca Street, Bradford.
In this venue we have the opportunity to rehearse, socialise, to make and store scenery and also to store our extensive music library. We have acquired many items over the years; from chaise longues to a papier-mâché pigs head!
The formative years of the Society, whilst very happy, were not always easy. In 1939 the Society chose ‘Vagabond King’ as their production and had started rehearsals when on September 3, war was declared. Members of the Society were soon involved in the armed and home front forces and the show was cancelled.
Post War Activities
There was a natural hiatus during the War Years and in 1946 a general meeting was called to endeavour to reform the society. The first post war production was ‘Good night Vienna’ and this was delayed until February 1947 in order to enrol more men returning from the forces.
However the winter of 1947 was extremely severe and due to a shortage of coal, it was thought that the show would need to be cancelled. Fortune was on the side of the BCP however, as a delivery of coal was received by the Church two days before opening night, so the show could go on!
November 1947 saw the BCP return to their previous home – The Co operative Hall and it was at this venue that their shows were produced until 1959.
Courage Needed
The Society had been growing in repute and negotiations had been ongoing in an effort to obtain the use of the Prince’s Theatre for the Society’s productions. This was agreed in 1960, but before a production could be staged, the decision was taken to close the Prince’s Theatre.
The Committee of the BCP were faced with a dilemma; to continue at the Co-operative Hall or take the huge step of moving to the Alhambra Theatre.
The costs of performing at the Alhambra would rise considerably and the capacity of seating per night would double. Could we sell those extra seats? Courageously, but not without a few doubts, the decision was taken to move to the Alhambra, and in November 1960, ‘Naughty Marietta’ our first production at the theatre met with success and made a small profit!
Alhambra Theatre
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
We were now performing in a large professional theatre and as members of the Society entered the theatre for the first time for the Dress Rehearsal in 1960, it was with a great deal of trepidation. The management and staff of the theatre were extremely kind and helpful, despite the fact that we were an amateur society, and with their help and guidance we settled in to our first production at this wonderful theatre. Relationships were established that have stood the test of time and we consider that the management and staff of the theatre are now among our valued friends and supporters.
Conditions at the theatre were in stark contrast to our previous venues – this was luxury! Hot and cold water in every dressing room and at least one shower facility on each corridor! No longer did seventy people need to remove their make up with cold water from one wash basin.
Everything at the Alhambra was on such a larger scale, the number of seats in the auditorium, the number of dressing rooms backstage, the size of the orchestra pit , the sheer scale of the dimensions of the actual stage itself where many professional performers had plied their trade in years gone by. The BCP felt that it was a momentous move to hire and play in such a prestigious venue.
We performed at the theatre for a further twenty years until Bradford Council decided that it was time that the theatre had a facelift.
We had to find another venue for our productions and it was at the Library Theatre, Bradford, that we performed ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Follow the Star’.
The Library Theatre was a modern venue, but it was quite simply too small for our requirements and it was with much enthusiasm that we welcomed the opportunity to return to the newly refurbished Alhambra.
There was a new modern facade on the outside, with the addition of bars and restaurants, new seating in the auditorium, a completely new stage, a scene dock with lift access and four floors of modern dressing rooms.
We returned to the Alhambra Theatre in 1986 with our performance of ‘Irene’ and we have continued to perform there each November every year since. Long may it continue!