Bacup Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society (B.A.O.D.S.) was formed at an extraordinary general meeting called by Waterside Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society (W.A.O.D.S.). Following the success of W.A.O.D.S. production of Quaker Girl in November 1935 the society membership had grown with many new members, a lot of whom were not connected with the Waterside Church. It was proposed and seconded that the name of the Society should be changed to Bacup Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society. Voting took place with 37 members for the change and 33 against.

In 1969 B.A.O.D.S. negotiated the purchase of the Royal Court Theatre and a company was set up to administer the theatre on behalf of the Society.

Bacup Operatic and Dramatic Company Limited is the company behind BAODS that runs the theatre, keeping it open for the society as well as the youth section (BYTES), and other visiting one night shows.