Max Harwood returns to BATS and ‘Pays it Forward’ as the Assistant Director for Come From Away

When I stepped back into Christ Church in Chineham, it wasn't like ten years had gone by! There are still people here that I love and I've known since I was a kid!"

Max Harwood's achieved a lot in the decade since he was last in the room where he's speaking to me. Back in 2015, he was here rehearsing for the Society’s production of Grease.

Plucked from drama school to play the lead role in the 2021 film musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, beating 3,000 other hopefuls, Max then went on to star in the West End shows Stranger Things and most recently Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief, as well as other projects. So what's brought him back to BATS?

"My best friend Rhiannon told me BATS were doing Come From Away, which is my favourite show - I'm absolutely obsessed with it. They were looking for people to help out and I emailed to say I was available over the Summer, as my sister was getting married. I had a meeting with Jenny Sawyer, the director, and she asked, "I need an assistant - will you come and assist me?"

Max giving his time and experience to BATS exemplifies the main theme of Come from Away - the community spirit shown by the people of Gander, Newfoundland. They opened their homes and hearts to 7,000 stranded aircraft passengers and crew after the 9/11 attacks.

"I'm hopefully bringing a bit of calm, a bit of knowledge, and a lot of passion to rehearsals. I discovered my love for theatre at BATS, so in a way I'm ‘paying it forward’."

"Every job you do, including this one, teaches you something. On my first job (Everybody's Talking About Jamie) I worked with Richard E. Grant who was learning to walk in heels. I told him I was nervous. He said he was nervous too, as he'd never walked in heels before! He said on every job you do, you have to go in with that nervous energy and be willing to learn and never stop learning. I think you do carry that from project to project."

"I'm always going to be acting as it's my passion. I'm also currently developing two projects of my own that I'm writing. But directing and assisting is something I'm keenly interested in, and would like to do more of in years to come. Working on Come From Away has been really formative, for sure."

See Come From Away from 19-22 November 2025. Evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

Sabrina talks about the Privilege and Challenge of Telling the Come From Away Story

“It’s a real privilege to tell this story,” says Sabrina Hinchliffe. “It’s something we all in some way lived through, so everyone can connect with it.”

Indeed, it’s hard to believe it’s now 24 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away is about how one community responded to that tragedy. 

Through a blend of storytelling and folk-rock music, we see how people in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, pulled together to support the 7,000 passengers and crew on 38 aeroplanes which were diverted to land there. 

Starring as Beverley, Sabrina Hinchliffe

Sabrina plays Beverley, the pilot of one of those planes.

“She’s a strong, powerful woman who’s worked hard to get where she is. She’s pushed through hearing the word “no” a lot. But when she’s stranded in Gander, you see the softer side to her, how concerned she is about her husband and children back at home.”

By day, Sabrina is a drama teacher and resident director at a school in Guildford. “I love exploring theatre with all different age groups”, she says. She also runs Project Theatre Company based in Woking, and has her own floristry business.

Sabrina’s played leading roles in musicals with companies across Surrey and Hampshire but Come From Away is her first show with BATS. 

“I love the show. When I first saw it in London I went in having no idea what it was about - and it really hit me hard, it was so moving. Since then it’s been one of my favourite shows and when BATS got the rights to stage it, I knew had to audition!”

Now the small ensemble cast is deep into rehearsals, how would Sabrina describe the experience so far?

“The whole process is a challenging one, but in the best way possible. We’re pushing ourselves in ways we haven’t been pushed before. It’s enjoyable, and it feels like an important thing to be able to do.”

“We’re a community, telling a story about community. The focus isn’t on sadness or tragedy, it’s on how they respond to that tragedy, with kindness and human connection.  It’s an uplifting story - and a really powerful piece of theatre.”

See Sabrina in Come From Away from 19-22 November 2025. Evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

Colin Gray Swaps his Drumsticks for the Conductor’s Baton

After 25 years and an incredible 52 shows “hidden away” at the Haymarket, Colin Gray is finally front and centre for BATS’ latest production, Rock of Ages!

“I’m not one for the limelight,” laughs Colin. “I like being tucked away, out of sight, in the pit!”

That’s the orchestra pit, where Colin has played percussion for those 52 previous shows. Now he’s picking up the musical director’s baton for Rock of Ages, which he describes as “full on ‘80s - on speed!”

Musical Director, Colin Gray

“It’s got a smorgasbord of classic rock songs,” Colin says, “including I Want to Know What Love Is, We Built This City, Wanted Dead or Alive, The Final Countdown and Waiting For A Girl Like You.”

“It’s the soundtrack of our lives, if you’re of a certain age!”

Colin’s role is to get the sound of the five- piece band and the cast’s vocals just right for this era of big hair and big rock anthems.

“It’s pretty complex vocally, as sometimes the ensemble are supporting the lead singers, while at other times they’re complementing the sound of the band. Plus there are difficult harmonies to master too.”

Colin has previously musically directed shows for Andover Musical Theatre Company, but being involved in staging a BATS show from the beginning is a new experience for Colin.

“It’s been great to get to know and work with everyone over a longer period, rather than just saying hello when I turn up for the band call the Sunday before a show starts! I’ve loved seeing how the director, Angus Jacobs, is bringing his vision to life and developing the characters in the rehearsal room.”

“And Rock of Ages is such a funny show too. I’m laughing out loud in rehearsals! I can’t wait for everyone to see it!”

See Rock of Ages from 14-17 May 2025. Evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Suitable for ages 14 and over. View show information and book tickets.