Is BuddyPress compatible with Blackbird theme?

Hi folks. My understanding is that the new BuddyPress (v1.8.1) is compatible with all, or at least most WordPress themes. I just did a theme search in the Install Themes page, with the BuddyPress box selected, and it only came up with 25 items.

I am building a site using Blackbird (v1.1.9) and starting right from the beginning, I’m not getting anywhere with it. I’m wondering whether it’s a theme incompatibility, or me missing something.

Any help welcome.

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WP 3.7.1 installed (current)
BP version 1.8.1 (current)
WP Theme is Blackbird 1.1.9 (current)
I’ve upgraded from recent versions of all of these since the summer, but I’ve had the same problem all along.

The other plugins installed are:
Askimet
BigContact Contact Page
Black Studio Tiny MCE Widget
Easy Shortcode Buttons
Jetpack by WordPress
Page Tagger
Simple Page Sidebars
WP Show IDs
WP You Tube Player

All plugins are updated, and all except Askimet are activated.
Blackbird is customised using its own customising functionality. Plus I have tweaked a bit of HTML, with the CSS added to the theme’s Styling Options box.

My hosting site is Blue Host.