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

Angus is Back with his Signature Pizzazz!

Flashback to March 2020. Angus Jacobs is bringing the sass to BATS as he choreographs the six “merry murderesses” of the Cook County Jail in the show-stopping Cell Block Tango - just one of the numbers in the sizzling musical Chicago which is due to be performed at the Haymarket in a few weeks’ time.

“He had it coming,” is their repeated refrain, as each think their crime was justified.

Then - lockdown happens.
Suddenly we’re all in confinement.
The show has to be scrapped - the number is never seen.
Until now.

April 2024 - and Angus is back in the rehearsal room, revisiting the delectably devilish song, for the upcoming BATS revue, On With the Show.

Angus Jacobs

“It was definitely unfinished business,” says Angus. “It was obviously a real shame what happened four years ago, but it’s good to be back! BATS is a great society with lots of talent, so when I was asked if I’d like to finally bring Cell Block Tango to the stage, I said I’d love to!”

Angus is also staging a song from another hugely popular show, the anthem Somebody to Love from the Queen musical, We Will Rock You.

“When I’m approached by a theatre company about directing and choreographing, it’s got to be something I feel I can add my personality to,” says Angus. “I like shows with LGBTQ+ elements to them, such as Victor Victoria, Soho Cinders and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which I staged at the Bridewell Theatre in London. Shows that I can be creative with, that have something different about them.”

After working as part of a team of creatives on the BATS revue, which brings a huge range of West End and Broadway showstoppers to the Haymarket stage this May, Angus will make a full-blooded return to BATS when he takes the helm of the ‘80’s musical Rock of Ages in Spring 2025.

“The show is absolutely bonkers and very funny,” laughs Angus. “It’s got big hair, air guitars, wind machines, pyrotechnics and amazing songs like The Final Countdown and We Built This City. I grew up in the ‘80’s - that was my time - and it’s got my name written all over it!”

That’s something to savour in the future. For now, Angus is happy getting the chance to delve into the past and finally bring Chicago’s Cell Block Tango to the stage with all his signature pizzazz!

On With The Show runs at the Haymarket, Basingstoke on Friday 17 May at 7.30pm and Saturday 18 May at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

Michelle's Back After a 24-Year Interval

“When my son was three years old, he wouldn’t watch the Teletubbies. Instead he used to watch the film of Chicago on a loop! He knew all the words to the Cell Block Tango by heart! So I’m now having a “full circle” moment, as I’m going to be performing that very same number with BATS!”

Michelle Anderson is very excited about returning to the stage after a break of 24 years. In the 1990s she trained in Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting, where she met her husband Xavier. After pursuing a professional career she gave up performing to raise her two sons.

Michelle Anderson

“In recent years I’ve been running theatre workshops for kids and helping them achieve their LAMDA qualifications. But I really wanted to experience that joy for myself again,” says Michelle.

“I’d been thinking for a few years about joining a local theatre group. Then last year I saw BATS’ production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and thought ‘this is the one!’”

Michelle joins BATS for On With The Show, described as a ‘musical theatre roulette’ featuring showstoppers from West End and Broadway hits including Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Six and the aforementioned Chicago.

“For me it’s been fun to come in and find myself playing different characters from different shows. There’s something for everyone. And the talent in BATS is insane! I’m having to raise my game as some of the dancing is pretty challenging!

“I admit as the show gets closer I have been thinking, ‘is this wise?’. But my husband and boys told me they need to see me back on stage, so it’s great to have their support.”

Meanwhile it’s also full circle for Michelle’s Chicago-loving son - who’s now pursuing his own career in musical theatre!

“He said “we are so proud of you mum” and I can’t wait for them to see the show! The rehearsals have been full of joy, fun and laughter and I’m really looking forward to getting back on stage!”

See Michelle in On With the Show at the Haymarket, Basingstoke on Friday 17th May at 7.30pm and Saturday 18th May at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Review, Nov 2023 - Basingstoke Gazette

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an absolute classic and BATS hit every note perfectly.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical is an absolute hit, it's safe to say most of us can recite the lyrics of at least one song thanks to its popularity with school drama departments. If your school didn't put on a show, the choir probably did its own rendition of Any Dream Will Do during assembly.

Every year BATS effortlessly brings the West End to The Haymarket, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is no exception. As expected, the show was a joy to watch, with colourful costumes, impressive singing, hilarious characters and expertly choreographed dancing.

The musical follows the Bible story of Jacob's favourite son Joseph, played by David Honeywell, and his eleven brothers.

It is a fun tale with wacky characters and brilliant songs, while also dealing with important themes of growing up, jealousy and forgiveness

BATS bought back the creative duo of Louise Travis (director and choreographer) and Jonathan Eiø who were behind the production of Rent in May to deliver the brilliant production.

The simple staging of bleacher steps with an impressive pyramid means all the focus is on the costumes, singing and dancing.

With more than 40 people on the stage, the performance is a musical extravaganza - it's hard to know where to look because it's all just so brilliant.

This year marks the first time in BATS' 60-year history that it has put on a relaxed performance. On November 15, the group turned down the volume, reduced the harsh lighting and altered the choreography to make the performance as accessible as possible. 

Despite the changes, the performance was as brilliant as ever and it was more magical knowing that some members of the audience were experiencing theatre for the first time thanks to the adaptations.

Megan Stanley
Basingstoke Gazette