Time to celebrate fifty wonderful, creative and inspiring years since the creation of Brecon Theatre Company!

Fifty years ago, this September John Greatorex, the then Drama Advisor for Breconshire created the ground-breaking BRECONSHIRE THEATRE COMPANY (BTC), the first fully professional Theatre In Education (T.I.E) and Community Theatre Company in Wales. He changed the face of professional theatre in Wales for ever and renowned internationally. The work of BTC was free at the point of delivery to schools and community venues throughout the County

There was a core team of Actor/Teachers. Peter Murphy (went on to be a BAFTA Award winning TV Director/Producer) Kathryn Davies (became a prominent educational drama practitioner and Jazz Singe) Terry Deary (later created the HORRIBLE HISTORIES) Cecily Rees (a prominent Further Educational Drama specialist ) and Pat Batho ( who created her own School of Dance and Performance in Penarth)

John had arrived in Brecon in the early 1970s and by 1972 he had realised his vision. Within a few years there would be a professional TIE and Community Theatre Company in all eight of the Welsh counties. This model of creativity and provision became the envy of theatre practitioners and producers Internationally.  It was a pioneering partnership between the Arts Council of Wales each of the local education authorities and the Welsh Local Government Authority (WLGA) and placed Wales in the world spotlight.

Breconshire Theatre Company took new and innovative performance into the entire community and worked with writers such as T C Thomas and Nigel Emerson. The company also devised learning programmes using drama and theatre (TIE) which they toured throughout the county

The company was based in Brecon and rehearsed in the then Dr Cokes church hall in Lion Street. With the reorganisation of the boundaries of Wales Breconshire Theatre Company became Theatr Powys and was relocated to Llandrindod Wells and a Drama Centre was developed. The company continued to provide a profession service until mid 2010s when money was withdrawn from many of the Community Theatres and Theatre for Young Audiences.

John Greatorex made his home here in Brecon and continues to be politically and creatively active within the community in his retirement. Ever the optimist, John remains passionate and optimistic. He has been active in the creation of Brecon Jazz, Theatr Brycheiniog and many more cultural innovations in Wales.

It’s hard to believe that 50 years have passed. John always says......look forward and learn from the past......... Not a bad moto for life.

Image above: Terry Deary, Cecily Rees, and Peter Murphy in THE SOUND OF STILLNESS by TC Thomas. 

Image above: Pat Batho and Kathryn Davies in Sarah Siddons by TC Thomas