Elf - The Musical - Rehearsal Schedule for Auditionees

The Government’s current roadmap indicates that all leisure activities, including live performances should be possible from the end of July onwards. We are therefore moving ahead with plans for our production of Elf - The Musical in November.

If you are thinking of auditioning for the show, download the full rehearsal schedule. Key pre-audition and audition dates:

Pre-audition Rehearsal Workshops
Mon 28 June (7.30 - 10pm): Intro meeting, learn audition dance and ensemble song
Wed 30 June (7.45 - 10pm): Audition workshop
Mon 5 July (7.30-10pm): Audition workshop: Dance and acting (no singing)
Wed 7 July (7.45-10.15pm) Audition workshop: Singing & dance

Auditions
Sat 10 July (9.30-5.30pm): Principals
Sun 11 July (10.00 - 5.30pm): Ensemble & Supporting roles (and any recalls)

BATS President, Jim Welling Dies Aged 70

It is with much sadness that we announce that our President, Jim Welling passed away in Basingstoke hospital on the evening of Friday 8 January 2021. Jim, aged 70 was a popular local business owner and theatre performer.

Jim Welling

Jim was the proprietor of Edward James Cutting Rooms hair salon at the Top of Town for 45 years, and was involved with BATS for more than 50. He was the life and soul of the Society from the mid-seventies to the early 2000's and will be remembered for his many outings as panto dame as well as his performances in some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, including Fagin in Oliver! and Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady.

Jim was also the current President of BATS and behind the scenes, served on the Committee for many years and helped set up the original iteration of BATS’ junior company, Next Gen. He was a mentor to many young performers. He was also a talented wig designer, whose creations graced the stage both locally and around the UK.

Jim as Fagin in Oliver!, May 2004. He previously played the role in 1993

Jim as Professor Higgins, November 2009

Jim was born Edward James Welling. He was the youngest of four children, born to Vera and Jack Welling, a former Mayor of Basingstoke. He grew up in Hannington and attended Hilsea College. Jim became an apprentice hairdresser at the age of 17 and set up his own salon in Winchester Street in 1975. He gave generations of young stylists their first opportunity in the industry.

Jim loved to travel and made friends all over the world, especially in California, while back home he was always the life and soul of any party and a hugely generous and supportive friend to many.

Jim was admitted to hospital before Christmas after sustaining a back injury in a fall at home. Whilst in hospital he contracted COVID and sadly succumbed to the dreadful virus. He died just three days after his oldest brother Robert.

He will be hugely missed by his family, former clients, wide circle of friends, and of course his BATS family.

Rest in Peace, Jim.

Chicago Postponed due to COVID-19 Outbreak

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Anvil Arts announced today that the Haymarket has closed with immediate effect.  We are therefore sorry to announce the *POSTPONEMENT* of our production of Chicago in May, but everyone’s safety and health must take priority.

It is our intention to stage Chicago later in the year, if possible.  We are currently working with the rights holder and the theatre to negotiate alternative performance dates for a time when life resumes some kind of normality.

Given that we are not yet able to confirm these dates, Anvil Arts will be contacting all patrons to arrange ticket refunds.  Please do not contact the box office – they will contact you (See their full statement below).

We will keep you updated once we know more.  We hope it won’t be too long before you can join us for a bit of fabulous Razzle Dazzle!

In the meantime, take care of yourselves and we hope to see you again soon.

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Full Anvil Arts statement
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Following the government’s announcement yesterday, both The Anvil and The Haymarket will be closed to the public until further notice and scheduled performances will not take place.

We will be contacting all ticket holders in date order of performance as quickly as possible. Please refrain from contacting the box office regarding ticket refunds, we will contact you.

As a charity, we will be working hard to deal with the financial implications of this period of closure. Please consider donating the cost of your ticket to The Anvil Trust rather than requesting a credit note or refund.

We will keep the web site updated with further information.

Thank you for your understanding in this unprecedented situation.

Chicago - Audition and Director Setting Dates

Updated: 9 January 2020

If you are thinking of auditioning for Chicago in May 2020, here are the key dates for which you will need to be available.

Pre-audition rehearsals
Monday 6 January 2020 – 19:30 - Welcome talk with Director and setting of dance audition pieces
Wednesday 8 January 2020 – 19:45 - 22:00
Monday 13 January 2020 – 19:30 - 22:00
Wednesday 15 January 2020 – 19:45 - 22:00

Auditions and recalls
Auditions: Saturday 18 January 2020 - 10:00 - 17:00. We will start with dancers, then ensemble singing, followed by individual characters.
Recalls: Sunday 19 January 2020 (recalls) - 10:00.
Venue: Market Chambers, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7QE. The entrance is opposite Camouflage Corner

Director's setting dates
Block 1: Sunday 9 February – Tuesday 11th February 2020 - Times TBC
Block 2: Sunday 1 March – Tuesday 3rd March 2020 - Times TBC
Block 3: Sunday 22 – Tuesday 23rd March 2020 - Times TBC

Costume call
Thursday 7 May

Run of show in costume
Friday 8 May

Orchestra call and technical rehearsal
Sunday 10 May

Dress rehearsal
Monday 11 May

Performances
Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 May (no matinee)

9 to 5 - Dates and information for pre-audition rehearsals and auditions

If you would like to join us to perform in our November production of Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical, below are the key dates that you will need to be available for.

Welcome talk
Wednesday 5th June: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG4 8LT

Pre-audition workshops

Monday 10th June: 19:30 – 22:00 hrs
Wednesday 12th June: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs
Monday 17th June: 19:30 – 22:00 hrs
Wednesday 19th June: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG4 8LT

Auditions
Sunday 23rd June 2019: 10:00 – 18:00 hrs (Dance until 12 noon)
Venue: Market Chambers, town centre Basingstoke

Director setting dates
In addition to the director setting dates (below), cast will generally be called for rehearsal every Monday and Wednesday evening.

Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG4 8LT

Monday 24th June: First read through of the script
Sunday 14th – Thursday 18th July: Director setting (act 1)
Sunday 15th September – Thursday 19th September: Director setting (act 2)
Saturday 19th October: Cast show promotion at Waitrose and The Malls
Monday 21st October: Director setting (Run of act 1 + notes)
Wednesday 23rd October: Director setting (Run of act 2 + notes)
Monday 11th November: Director setting (Run of show + notes)
Thursday 14th November: Costume Call
Friday 15th November: Run of show in costume

Sunday 17th November: Band call and technical rehearsal (Haymarket Theatre)
Monday 18th November: Dress rehearsal (Haymarket Theatre)
Tuesday 19th – Saturday 23rd November: Performances (including Saturday matinee) (Haymarket Theatre)