about bop

A performer with dreadlocks wearing a fringe outfit performs a dance move on stage illuminated in red, while another performer dressed in a suit, tie, hat, and glasses, holding a skull prop, watches from the side.
“Jazz dance is one of the most revealing art forms, It only ask for your individual expression”
— #BOPJAZZUK

ABOUT BOP

Body of People aka BOP the UK's Premier Jazz Theatre Company is a unique Contemporary Jazz Theatre Company founded in 1996 by, international choreographer, director, performer and educator Dollie Henry MBE. In 1999, Dollie joined forces with Jazz trumpeter, music producer, composer and music director Paul Jenkins. Together they have created a unique Theatre Production Company rooted in the expression of the Jazz Art Form and creative theatre traditions. 

A group of women in flowing dresses gathered closely around a central figure with her hands raised, engaging in a dance or theatrical performance on a red-lit stage.
A dancer wearing a red dress with fringe, performing on stage with a dark background, striking a dramatic pose with one arm raised and head tilted back.

Creative Leadership and Global Collaboration

Through the guidance of Dollie and Paul, BOP Company continues to develop and produce works in collaboration with other established artistic and commercial organisations both here in the UK and internationally. Through the many strands of BOP, the company bring their feisty energy, creative flair and business sensibility, to lead a diverse and inclusive company that encompasses all aspects of dance, music and theatre making and media presentations.

BOP’s Jazz Theatre Legacy: Stages and Stories

BOP have produced, created and staged an array of theatrical jazz including: Jazz Arts ReWired , Touches of Miles, Trumpet Trilogy, A Journey of Jazz, Dizzy Heights, Duke’s Place, Echoes of Ellington, Footprints in Jazz , Miles Ahead , Up Close & Personal  and most recently Jazz Conversations.  The company have performed at The South Bank Centre, Bloomsbury Theatre, Emma Cons Hall, The Cochrane Theatre, Blackpool’s Opera House, The Point Theatre, Litchfield Theatre, Tyne Theatre-Newcastle, Pavilion Theatre-Exmouth, Wilde Theatre - South Hill Park Arts Centre- Berkshire, Croydon Fairfield Halls, Sadler’s Wells and Lillian Baylis Theatre & Cadogan Hall. More recently they have performed their new Jazz Theatre productions at Battersea Arts, Richmix in London The Curve, Leicester and The Place.

Stage with colorful lights and a logo for the Body of Peope Jazz Theatre Company projected in the center.
Dancers performing on stage with musical band playing in background, vibrant blue and purple lighting.

Global Reach and Educational Impact

Internationally the company works have been commissioned and performed in Austria, Brazil, China, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Lebanon, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, The Caribbean and USA. Dollie and Paul also produce and devise more commercial productions that include, Musical Theatre, Cabaret, Concert Dance, Film and Video productions.

As a practitioner led company, both nationally and internationally, BOP present an array of exciting and innovative educational jazz programs for schools and colleges, Dance Studios and Arts Organisations. The Company also provides, ongoing Mentoring Programs, Summer Jazz Residencies, Creative Jazz Dance & Music workshops and Seminars, that support and give access to practical and professional provision, to graduate and professional dancers and musicians to realise their potential and develop as professional jazz performers.

A jazz band performs on stage with a brick wall backdrop, illuminated by stage lights. The band includes musicians playing various instruments such as a keyboard, saxophone, drums, double bass, and guitar, with the logo of the Body of People Jazz Theatre Company projected on the wall behind them.
A group of six dancers performing on stage with a blue and yellow lighting setup.
Three women dancing in colorful leopard print tops, wide-brim hats, and black pants on a stage with a band in the background.

BOP and Morley College: A Jazz-Inspired Partnership

​The BOP philosophy is to Encourage, Enlighten and Enable all to participate and engage in creative work of real value inspired by the jazz tradition. As part of that philosophy, In September 2012, BOP began a creative and educational partnership with Morley College situated in the heart of London, becoming their first artistic Jazz Company-in-Residence. 

BOP: A Creative Home for Jazz Arts

BOP provides a home to a creative nucleus of professional jazz artists, dancers, musicians, educators and technicians, whose overriding philosophies are to pass on the historical traditions of creative jazz music, dance and theatre making. BOP is the catalyst for the Jazz Art Form and resident in the UK, with a growing recognition and following internationally ... Welcome to BOP.

Group of dancers performing on stage, wearing earthy-colored costumes, with some dancers in front and others behind, arms raised and moving gracefully.
A woman, mid-dance pose, wearing a flowing dress, in black and white photography.