Messages of congratulations from members of our school community and beyond have been flooding in for Director of The Quarry Theatre, James Pharaoh, who began 2023 with some extra letters after his name after being awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in the 2023 New Year’s Honours list. The timing could not be more perfect for James, who also celebrates his 20th year working here at Bedford School, but he could never have imagined he would be celebrating this milestone alongside such an honourable accolade. So much so, that when James received notification of his award by email in early December, he asked the school’s IT department to check the email as he thought the attachment looked a bit strange!
The New Year Honours list recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK, and the MBE specifically is awarded to those who have provided an outstanding achievement or service to the community that will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others.
In James’ case, he was awarded the MBE for services to theatre and performing arts in Bedford, and for his work on bringing the Bedfringe Festival, which is now in its 16th year, to the town.
It was after visiting Edinburgh Fringe back in 2006 (an annual trip with his theatre-loving friends) that James, along with his good friend Richard Mann and Sandra Dudley, Editor of Art’icle Magazine, hatched the idea to set up ‘Bedfringe’ and give the local community an experience similar to the Edinburgh Fringe.
James explained, “We thought, wouldn’t it be great to do something like this in Bedford. So, we approached the local council to talk through our idea. It was quite a difficult sell because no one had heard of a fringe event in Bedford and even the concept of fringe theatre was new to a lot of people.”
From that initial spark of an idea, James and his team delivered the first ever Bedfringe event, held at the town’s old Civic Theatre in 2007. The rest, as they say, is history with Bedford School as principal sponsor and hosted at the Quarry Theatre, Bedfringe attracts not only locals but also theatre-goers from as far away as Glasgow and a repertoire that can boast 1,320 events in the Quarry Theatre since it opened its doors in 2015.
There is nothing about theatre that James does not know; he really lives and breathes his passion for performing arts, and as a school we have been extremely lucky to benefit from his experience and enthusiasm. Managing the Quarry Theatre’s finances, programming, front of house and marketing all fall within James’ day-to-day job. However, where James excels is his ability to spot a top act and bring it to Bedford for the boys, the school community, locals and visitors to Bedford to experience too.
James told us, “My job here at school gives me the opportunity to show people what theatre can do to people emotionally, and what can be achieved with theatre. Whether it be a show about the Holocaust or a kitchen sink drama, people can come and broaden their minds, be wowed, learn more, and see what can be created with the most basic of tools.”
As humble as ever, James truly believes that none of what he has achieved would be possible without having such a committed team around him. He gives a lot of credit to his two ‘wing women’, Fi Fowler and Lily Hannant, and his Front of House Manager, David Baxter, not to mention all the volunteers and sponsors, all of whom are essential to, quite literally, keep the show on the road.
James went on to say, “Receiving this award is a very big deal to me, and meeting people and seeing their faces light up to congratulate me and wanting to know more about the work I have done is very special. I am now focused on the day I go to St James’ Palace to collect the award along with my wife, Vanessa. Thank you everyone who has supported me, the Quarry Theatre, Bedfringe and our sponsors.”
You can hear from James in person if you join us on Saturday 7 January 2023 as we launch our Quarry Theatre 2023 spring programme. During your visit you can enjoy discounts at the bar, a flash sale on selected events, a presentation about how the theatre came to be and the chance to explore areas of the theatre that most people don’t get to see! More details can be found here.
If you would like to see what’s on this spring at the Quarry Theatre, do have a browse through our theatre diary below.