Interview: Jess Rose Hughes of The Bury St Edmunds Broadcasting Co
Actor Jess Rose Hughes (taken for a production of A Mirror Crack’d at Theatre Royal). Photo: Andy Abbott.
The Bury St Edmunds Broadcasting Co has two productions taking place this month - The Ghost Stories of M R James and A Christmas Carol. The shows are presented as radio plays, performed by local amateur actors with additional costume, lighting and music soundscapes.
Following our review of The Ghost Stories of M R James - which had its first outing at Halloween - we were delighted to talk to Jess Rose Hughes, the Suffolk actor and charity worker who formed the theatre company just last year.
So Jess…
Tell us a bit about you.
By day I work in major gifts fundraising, which involves building relationships with individuals and trusts and foundations, and encouraging them to become involved in charitable causes. I've worked in children's and adult hospices, the NHS and mental health in recent years. I trained as an actor before I went into the charitable sector, and I've continued to perform in amateur productions throughout my career. We're a theatrical family - they're very technically able and charity-minded and form the Front of House and Crew for our productions.
How did The Bury Broadcasting Company come to be?
In the COVID-19 pandemic I was listening to A Christmas Carol as I commuted to my job in the NHS, and I thought that once the pandemic was over, it would be amazing to be able to create a staged radio play of this wonderful, festive story - and raise some funds by putting it on. I knew I had the crew, and I knew actors who would do it fantastically, and fortunately when I asked them to do it in 2024 they all said ‘yes’! I adapted the book with these actors in mind, knowing what they could beautifully bring to each role.
Why did you choose the radio play format for your shows?
I've always enjoyed full cast radio plays, and it's a wonderful way to bring a text to life by putting the voice at the forefront.
Where do you perform?
The Unitarian Meeting House in Bury St Edmunds, who have been very good to us. It's a beautiful building which complements our shows.
Who else is involved in the group?
The cast, crew, Front of House team, creatives and others are a community of actors and individuals who have worked across amateur productions in the region. It's an ever-evolving mixture of actors, friends and family, and supporters.
Tell us a bit about the charity fundraising element.
We are pleased to fundraise for charitable causes with our productions and we try to find a suitable fit for each show. For The Ghost Stories of M. R. James it’s ‘The Abbey of St Edmunds Heritage Partnership Project’ as a nod to James's own involvement and interest in St Edmundsbury Cathedral. For A Christmas Carol, we felt that the campaign for ‘Cambridge Children's Hospital’ would have pleased not only Dickens, but Tiny Tim. All our participants give their time for nothing so that we give more to the charities we have chosen.
What was the company’s first professional performance and how did it go?
A Christmas Carol in 2024 which sold out in 3 days and raised £1,000 for the campaign for Cambridge Children's Hospital.
Is there a specific play you’d really like to do?
I'm always open to suggestions from everyone involved, and our supporters. At present suggestions have included The Magician's Nephew, Frankenstein, Dracula, Jane Austen, North and South, and The Great Gatsby. It's always interesting to hear people's ideas - for me and the collective. We need to think about what the people of Bury St Edmunds might enjoy, the actors we know who might like to be involved (which changes across productions), what the crew would like to do and the character roles in each potential adaptation or piece of original writing.
What is it you love about theatre and performing?
The opportunity to play a wide variety of character roles. It's fascinating thinking about and bringing to life the psychology of a character. Working with other actors, including crews and creatives is hugely rewarding - you get to appreciate the generosity of spirit, kindness and talent of the people involved.
Who is your theatre idol and why?
I wouldn't say I have a single favourite - I appreciate wonderful singers, amazing character actors and imaginative writers. Honorable mentions to Julie Andrews and countless others.
What is your favourite musical or play?
Again, I can't pick just one! I love an Agatha Christie play, and I enjoy the classic Golden Age musicals.
Dream role?
I've been hugely fortunate to play the majority of the dream roles I've wanted to, including Eliza in My Fair Lady amongst many others.
Comedy or tragedy?
Comedy.
Your best bit of advice for young performers is…
You can learn a huge amount from performers who have more experience than you - take the opportunity to learn from the brilliant people around you. And always support your fellow performers and creatives!
What does 2026 hold for The Bury Broadcasting Company?
We will decide as a collective what we would like to do in 2026, so watch this space…
The Ghost Stories of M R James is at the Unitarian Meeting House in Bury St Edmunds on 13 - 14 December at 5pm.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE
A Christmas Carol is at the Unitarian Meeting House in Bury St Edmunds on 13 - 14 December at 8pm.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE