Sister Act - Dates and information for pre-audition rehearsals and auditions

If you would like to join us to perform in our May 2022 production of Sister Act, here is the information you need about auditions.

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Access audition resources online: Members area

You must be a paid-up member to be able to access audition materials, audition form and book slots for pre-audition workshops. 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 is £25 and runs from 1 July - 30 June.

If you want to know a little more before you decide to audition, read the character descriptions/requirements and the schedule of rehearsal dates.

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Welcome talk (it not mandatory to attend this in order to audition)
Wed 8 Dec: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG4 8LT
Covid precautions: All attendees to perform a negative lateral flow test 24 hours before attending and we recommend you wear a face mask during this event. If you feel unwell and show any main symptoms of coronavirus, please do not attend unless you have taken a negative PCR test.

Pre-audition workshops
You'll need to attend at least one pre-audition workshop to practise singing with the musical director and be taught your chosen audition dance (there are different routines for 'ensemble' and 'dancers').

Singing slots are an individual 10-minute session with the MD. Dancing is a 45-minute slot in up to groups of 10. You must pre-book slots online via your member account on the BATS website.

Mon 3 Jan: 19:30 – 22:00 hrs
Wed 5 Jan: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs
Mon 10 Jan: 19:30 – 22:00 hrs
Wed 12 Jan: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG4 8LT

Auditions
The online audition form must be submitted by Wed 12 January.
Sat 15 Jan: 09:30 - 17:00
Sun 16 Jan: 10:00 - 16:00 (TBC)
Venue: Market Chambers, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7QE

Performance Fee
If you are successfully cast in the show, a performance fee of £100 is payable before the costume call (Thurs 12 May). You can pay in instalments - just talk to us to request this.

Schedule of director setting and rehearsal dates
In addition to the director setting dates, cast will generally be called for rehearsal every Monday and Wednesday evening. View the outline rehearsal schedule.

Sign-up for Children's Audition Workshop | Elf - The Musical

Audition workshops will be held on Mon 9 and Wed 11 August to cast all of the children’s roles for our production of Elf - The Musical.

We are looking to cast four children to share performing two roles:

• Michael or Michaela Hobbs - playing age 10+ (max 13 years old)

• Ensemble child - playing age 10+ (max 14 years old)

Does your child like Christmas?

Then they should come along and audition!

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.