British Airways Cabin Crew's Secret Life: Bringing the Magic of Pantomime to Passengers and Charities

Strategic Insights -

Pantomimes have been a long-standing tradition among British Airways cabin crew, with the British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society (BACCES) performing annually since 1971. A group of 28 dedicated crew members, including two who have been part of the cast since the beginning, come together to raise money for various charities through their theatrical performances. This year, BACCES is taking their production of Sleeping Beauty to the prestigious Watford Palace Theatre, leaving their former home The Beck Theatre behind.

Key Takeaways:

  • BACCES has been performing pantomimes since 1971, raising over £140,000 in cash donations to charities in the last ten years alone.
  • The group has donated an excess of £1 million in their 45-year history, with the funds raised from this year's production going to various local charities, including Watford Mencap, Watford Town Centre Chaplaincy, and ASCEND.
  • Nick Young, a cabin crew member who has been part of the cast since 2013, has played a range of roles, including the villain Abanazar in Aladdin and the Dame in Dick Whittington.
  • Despite the challenges of rehearsing with crew members on various flights, BACCES compensates by rehearsing whenever and wherever possible, even in galleys and hotel gyms.
  • The group won the coveted It's Behind You Award for Best Panto in the London region in 2014 for their production of Dick Whittington.

Statistics:

  • BACCES has been performing pantomimes for 45 years, with over £1 million donated to charities in their history.
  • The group has raised over £140,000 in cash donations to charities in the last ten years.
  • Sleeping Beauty, the 2019 production by BACCES, will be staged at Watford Palace Theatre from January 13 to 17.

Sources:

  • "Crew comes out of the galleys to rehearse pantomime"
  • British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society (BACCES) press release (no date provided)
  • National Operative and Dramatic Association (NODA) website, It's Behind You Award, 2014