Director, Carly Thompson Makes her BATS Christmas Debut

It's been Christmas since July, as we’ve been busy rehearsing Nativity! the Musical, coming to the Haymarket in November, under the guidance of a brand new director, Carly Thompson.

"I love Christmas, and I love working with children, so this is the perfect show for me!" says Carly.

Based on the hit film, Nativity! follows the pupils and teachers at St. Bernadette’s Primary School as they stage their very own musical Nativity, with plenty of hilarity along the way.

Director, Carly Thomson makes her BATS debut with Nativity! The Musical

"It's a beautiful story - wondrous, heartfelt and moving, with fantastic singing and dancing. Every night you'll see our cast of 20 children and 18 adults all fully embracing the festive spirit."

Carly comes to BATS with extensive experience of performing and directing at Oxted in Surrey. Not long after moving to Newbury to 2018, a tumour was found in Carly's spine.

"It was removed safely but there was still a risk of paralysis," she says. "So it took me a couple of years to get involved in theatre again. Then I saw the ad looking for a director for Nativity, and here I am!"

"BATS is a lovely welcoming group, and there's so much talent in the company, it was very hard to choose at the auditions. But now we're well into rehearsals and they're full of laughter, fun and hard work of course!"

The presence of 40 children in the rehearsal room (forming two alternate casts of 20) brings a real energy to proceedings.

"To have the energy and wonder from the kids is a real boost to the adult cast who might arrive stressed from work," laughs Carly, "and of course the discipline of the adults can help manage the exuberance of the small people!"

"It's going to be an experience they'll always remember."

Nativity! the Musical runs at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 26th-30th November 2024. View show information and book tickets.

Adrien Embraces his Crazy and Childish Side as Mr. Poppy

"He's wild, childish and fabulous!"

Adrien Nortier is talking about Mr. Poppy, the teaching assistant he plays in Nativity! The Musical. If you've seen the film you'll know he's one of the most memorable characters in the feelgood family comedy.

"The way he sees the world through the eyes of a child is so refreshing." says Adrien. "Everything makes sense in his head but it can come across as complete nonsense!"

Adrien as Mr Poppy - Performing at the Basingstoke Variety Show, 6 October 2024

Mr. Poppy is Adrien's first main leading role for BATS. He joined the Society 15 years ago after growing up in France. That meant he wasn't familiar with some of the cultural references in Nativity! The Musical. Such as?

"I had to ask who Keith Chegwin was, he wasn't part of my upbringing!"

The kids of St Bernadette's school love Mr. Poppy's unusual ways. But they infuriate grumpy teacher Mr. Maddens, who's been tasked with staging the school's first ever musical nativity.

"Mr. Poppy is the nephew of the headteacher and he's sort of thrown at Mr. Maddens, who feels like he's got another child to look after. But then they become friends and Mr. Poppy makes him realise he can open his heart and have faith in the children."

The perfect message for Christmas then! But what's it been like rehearsing a Christmas show in the height of summer? "A bit surreal, even disturbing at times," laughs Adrien, "But now the nights have drawn in and it's feeling colder, it's a lot easier to conjure up the festive spirit!"

Two teams of twenty children play the loveable pupils of St Bernadette's. "Working with the kids is so much fun. It's lovely watching them do what they do. They're oblivious to how good they actually are. They just make me want to work really hard so I don't let them down."

So - the big question - is Adrien anything like Mr. Poppy? "No! I think I'm quite collected and grown up, not crazy at all! Mr. Poppy is ‘up’ all the time - there's no ‘down’ button! But I'm really enjoying playing this part that is the complete opposite to me!"

Join Adrien and the cast of Nativity! The Musical at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 26-30 November 2024. View show information and book tickets.

Nativity! The Musical adult auditions - Information for pre-audition workshops, audition dates and registration

If you are an adult aged 18+ and would like to join us to perform in our production of Nativity! The Musical, here is the information you need about auditions.

The show will be performed at The Haymarket in Basingstoke from Tues 26 – Sat 30 November.

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ACCESS AUDITION RESOURCES ONLINE: MEMBERS AREA

You must be a paid-up member to be able to access audition materials and the online audition form.

Access these resources by logging into your member account on the BATS website. If you are a new member, pay your membership online with a debit or credit card to gain instant access your account. Annual membership runs from 1 July - 30 June.

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Welcome talk

It is not mandatory to attend in order to audition:
Date: Mon 10 June: 8.00pm – 10.00pm
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

8.00pm - 8.30pm - Welcome Talk
8.30pm - 9.15pm - Adults Movement(Director/Choreographer)
9.15pm - 10.00pm - Dancers dance (Director/Choreographer)

This is a chance to meet the creatives who will go through the expectations and their vision for the show i.e. characters, how auditions will go etc. This will go into a pre-audition workshop to learn a bit of singing and dance so please wear suitable clothing to dance in. 

Pre-audition workshops

You'll need to attend at least one pre-audition workshop to practise singing with the musical director and be taught the audition dance for ensemble or dancers. You do not need to register to attend a pre-audition workshop. Though you’ll need to pre-book for an individual singing slot with the MD (one per person). Book via the Show Manager at the first session on 10 June or at other sessions

Date: Wed 12 June
7.30pm - 7.45pm - Ensemble singing (MD)
7.45pm - 10.00pm - Individual singing 10 min slots (MD)
8.00pm - 9.00pm - Adults Movement (Director/Choreographer)
9.00pm - 10.00pm - Dancers dance (Director/Choreographer)

Date: Mon 17 June
7.30pm - 7.45pm - Ensemble singing (MD)
7.45pm - 10.00pm - Individual singing 10 min slots (MD)
8.00pm - 9.00pm - Adults Movement (Director/Choreographer)
9.00pm - 10.00pm - Dancers dance (Director/Choreographer)

Date: Wed 19 June
7.30pm - 7.45pm - Final Ensemble singing (MD)
7.45pm - 8.50pm - Individual singing 10 min slots (MD)
7.45pm - 8.50pm - Final Dance/Movement recap
9.00pm - 9.30pm - Dance/Movement Audition
9.30pm - 10.00pm - Ensemble Audition

Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

Auditions

The online audition form must be submitted by 11.59pm on Monday 17 June.

Date: Sun 23 June: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Venue: Market Chambers, Performers Together, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7QE

Performance Fee

If you are successfully cast in the show, a performance fee of £100 is payable no later than 26 October. You can pay in instalments - just talk to us to request this.

Outline rehearal Schedule

Cast will generally be called for rehearsal every Monday and Wednesday evening and on some Sundays.  All cast will be called for the first four rehearsals to set the show with the Director. We will also be using the Sundays to stage the large Junior orientated scenes (The Main Nativity show). View the outline rehearsal schedule.

On With The Show Review, May 2024 - National Operatic and Dramatic Society (NODA)

SET: The set was simple: a steel frame bridge with staircases either side and door below for entrances and exits. The wings either side were also used for access and egress.

COSTUMES: The costumes were amazing. There were a variety of costumes: the black lace and bowler hats, the Queens from Six, period costumes for ‘Don’t rain on My Parade’, ‘Windy City’ and Sally Manning’s transformation dress for her solo ‘Let it Go’ from Frozen, was inspired and very clever.

THE PRODUCTION: This show was amazing from start to finish and was topped and tailed by popular ABBA songs, opening with Mamma Mia! and closing with the ever popular, Dancing Queen. The entire show was amazing and fresh and felt like a shot of sunshine on a grey and gloomy evening. It was full of enthusiasm, well-choreographed and executed dance numbers and a good deal of humour. The humour was particularly noticeable in The Book of Mormon song, ‘Hello’. There was the light hearted Luck be a Lady from Guys and Dolls and operatic intensity of All Is Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera. Every number was performed with polish and its impossible to mention everything. But I must mention the spine tingling ‘Let it Go’ from Sally Manning and Rhiannon More showed her considerable stage presence and vocal range in ‘Don’t Rain on my Parade’.

The large creative team must have worked tireless to achieve such a high standard of performance and this show was a great choice as it enabled a large number of the cast to be in the spotlight and showcase their talents. All in all, a ridiculously enjoyable evening and one that I hope will be repeated in the future.

Chris Horton
District 14 Regional Representative
National Operatic and Dramatic Society (NODA)

On With The Show Review, May 2024 - One Show at a Time

BATS is gearing up to take the Haymarket Theatre stage once more in their next show. Except this one is not like the others. The thing about amateur dramatic companies is that they are limited on the shows for a plethora of reasons. However, there is a way around that…who says they need to put on one show in full? Why have one show when you can have many? With that, Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society brings you: On With The Show – A Musical Theatre Roulette!

If you’re unsure what a Musical Theatre Roulette (aka a revue) is, it is a bit of everything. BATS have taken songs from numerous shows and are performing them back to back, and there is something here for everyone. From the golden age musicals to the contemporary musicals recently hitting the theatre scene, to Disney numbers that get everyone smiling. This is a show for everyone. You don’t like musicals? This gives a glimpse into many, who knows, you may be converted! You want upbeat dance numbers? Love ballads? Numbers that tell stories all on their own? On With The Show has it all! From jazz hands to tap dancing and everything in between, On With The Show may not be one full story, but it is still one gloriously fun jam-packed show with all the excitement that brings.

Not only does a showcase such as this give audiences the chance to see songs from shows they may otherwise never go and see, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to give a whole cast a time to shine too. Yes, in every show, every person is integral no matter how big or small the role, but there is always going to be leads and ensembles. With On With The Show, BATS have given everyone a chance to show off what they can do. This is very much an ensemble show, a team effort in every sense of the word. I have been going along to BATS rehearsals for a while now, and it is so heartwarming to see every single person have their moment to shine, and shine everyone does! From the beautiful harmonies to the choreography that is so neat and precise to the emotion poured into every song, every member of this company has put in tremendous hard work which more than pays off, and is palpable from start to finish.

The thing about going to see a rehearsal is that it’s exactly that; a rehearsal. Not yet finished. Despite this, it doesn’t seem the company have got far to go! The numbers are polished, the costumes are coming together (the sneak peeks I got are ready to wow!), and the energy is electric. There’s something so heartwarming about a rehearsal period I feel; seeing someone perform centre of the room whilst to the side someone else is running their lines and choreography to themselves before taking their turn, everyone rooting for each other and the real team effort to work together and put on something special to lighten audiences hearts for a few hours.

The BATS cast are a fantastically talented bunch and the versatility of their performances demonstrate this. No matter what material is presented to them, they have the determination, the passion and the heart to bring every story and song brilliantly to life. The energy is maintained from the first to last number (I was out of breath just watching them!) so whilst it’s not one full musical, it absolutely is one full-on jam-packed show.

BATS never fail to do themselves proud and this seems to be no exception to that rule. When everything comes together combined with the full costumes, props, lighting, sound and the all-important audiences bringing the applause, On With The Show promises to be a joyous celebration of both talent and theatre for everyone. With the broad contrasting range of songs and shows being performed, I dare even the reluctant theatregoers to watch the show without their feet tapping, or to leave the theatre without a smile on their face.

And if you want to know what songs or shows you can expect…well you’ll just have to go and see for yourself to find out! One thing is for sure, you can’t really go wrong here; why go for just one show when you can have a bit of them all?

BATS’ On With The Show runs for two days only, 17th and 18th May at Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre.

Leyla Demirel
One Show at a Time