Paul chats about playing another baddie - Jesus Christ Superstar

From his vantage point in the Heathrow control tower, he’s responsible for the safe movement of hundreds of aircraft as they take off and land at one of the world’s busiest airports. But the pressure of Paul Morris’s day job as an air traffic controller doesn’t compare to the challenge that awaits him on the stage of Basingstoke’s Haymarket Theatre.

“I’m wearing 3 inch gold platform shoes and a Saturday Night Fever-style purple and gold suit, while singing and dancing a big camp production number,” explains Paul. “The last time I performed on stage was in a panto back home in Liverpool when I was 10. And I’ve never had to learn a dance number before!”

Paul Morris as Herod | BATS, Jesus Christ Superstar

But 34-year-old Paul has one big advantage as he prepares for his role as King Herod in BATS’ forthcoming production of the Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

“My wife Julie is the dance captain, so she’s giving me some one-on-one tuition,” he smiles. “On the way home from rehearsals she’s often telling me where I went wrong and what I need to improve!”

BATS audiences may remember Julie as the lead, Reno Sweeney, in their 2012 musical “Anything Goes”. “I was operating the lighting for that show,” says Paul. This time round the roles are reversed. Julie is pregnant with the couple’s first child so won’t be on stage for JCS. “So she’s doing the lighting instead – I’m relying on her to make me look good!”

Paul may feel trepidation about his dancing debut, but he’s no slouch when it comes to belting out a song. “On holiday I’m always the first to volunteer for the karaoke.” And what’s his party piece? “Usually an 80’s classic or ‘I Am The One and Only’ by Chesney Hawkes!”

‘King Herod’s Song’ is a very different kind of showstopper – and one Paul can’t wait to perform. “The rest of the songs in the show are pretty intense. With my song, the whole cast can let rip and really go for it. It’s going to be fantastic with a full live orchestra!”

Six peformances of Jesus Christ Superstar run from Tues 13th - Sat 17th May 2014 at the Haymarket, Basingstoke.

In rehearsal with Jamie Trick for Jesus Christ Superstar

As ‘Jamie Sinatra’ he’s a familiar face in the pubs, clubs and casinos of the Thames Valley, entertaining audiences with his Rat Pack tribute act. But now Jamie Trick, the real man behind the microphone, is preparing to take on a very different persona – that of Jesus Christ in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar.

“When I heard Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society was going to stage JCS I knew I had to be in it,” says Jamie. “I’ve been absolutely obsessed with the show since I saw the DVD of the West End production when I was 14. It’s such an honour to finally play my dream role.”

Jamie Trick in rehearsal | BATS, Jesus Christ Superstar

In fact you could say Jamie’s life has been building up to this performance. The actor who played Jesus in that London production was the brother of Jamie’s friend Michael. Jamie also worked backstage on the touring version of the musical when he was at university.

“But a big moment for me was performing Jesus’s song 'Gethsemane' at a charity night at the Grand Theatre in my home city, Swansea,” says Jamie. “It’s such a powerful song. It demands so much vocally and emotionally.” Indeed, Basingstoke audiences are in for a treat - his performance of the song creates goosebumps.

Jamie juggles singing with running his own recruitment company for social workers. He’s also a dad to two-year-old daughter Eva with wife Charis. But his biggest challenge hasn’t been managing his time, or even losing a bit more weight before appearing topless on stage.

“Put simply, how do you portray the Son of God?” asks Jamie, himself a Christian. “He isn’t just any other character. I’ve been reading Biblical texts and studying other productions. Our director Ray Jeffery has very clear ideas too. It’s been a fantastic experience. The entire cast are so committed to making this a truly stunning show.”

Six peformances of Jesus Christ Superstar run from Tues 13th - Sat 17th May 2014 at the Haymarket, Basingstoke.