OK, hang loose everybody! Here's our usual pre-show peek of the cast in rehearsal for Grease, to be performed at the Haymarket (Basingstoke) from 19 - 28 November 2015.
Click on the frame below to start the video. To watch in full screen, click the square frame icon in the bottom right-hand corner once the video is running.
Think Grease, and chances are you'll think of big-quiffed John Travolta and super-sweet Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 movie that became the most successful film musical of all time.
But this November two new kids on the block hope to make the roles of Danny and Sandy their own.
Craig Saunders (played the role of Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Nov 2014) and Rhianon Mone are in the thick of rehearsals for the lead roles for our production of Grease.
This is 18-year-old Rhianon's first show with BATS. "It was nerve racking at first when I had to sing 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' in front of everyone. But they've all been really supportive, especially Craig. It's just as well because we have to snog on stage!"
Rhianon certainly looks the part of shy Sandy but don't be fooled - she has a big competitive streak. "I'm a football fanatic! Last year I had a Reading season ticket and I've played since I was 9 for girls' teams, Basingstoke Colts and Tadley Calleva."
But football now takes a back seat for this Farnborough Sixth Form student who has her sights set on a performing career. "I can't picture doing anything else! I started singing, dancing and acting at Stagecoach Saturday school when I was five. I played Frenchy in BATS Next Gen's production of Grease last year."
Rhianon's loving the teamwork involved in bringing the fashions, slang and dance crazes of Rydell High School, 1959, to the stage. "We're all working hard to make Grease the best it can be. It should be a fantastic show!"
Grease runs for nine performances from Thurs 19th - Sat 28th November.
Sister Act was the last show for one of our members, Katie Rose, who moved on to pastures new after the curtain came down. So she spent hours getting folks to lip synch to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to capture the madness of the cast backstage. Enjoy!
Click on the frame below to start the video. To watch in full screen, click the square frame icon in the bottom right-hand corner once the video is running.
It's been on our 'to do' list for a long time, but we've finally set up our blog to replace the news pages on our website. Whether you're a current member or previous member of BATS, or one of our patrons, we'll provide updates about our productions, our social events as well as general news about what we're up to.
So our blog isn't too empty, we've added some existing content from our website to get us going! Have a browse back over the past few years to read about productions you may have been involved in or watched.
We were delighted to be awarded an accolade of excellence by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) for our production of The Wizard of Oz (November 2014).
The award was made at the annual general meeting for societies based in the South East region of the UK, which was held in Alton on 5 July 215.
As well as recognising the overall standard of the production, the award specifically recognised the technical planning and creativity that went into the production that provided a wow factor for audiences. These included a revolving yellow brick road, video animation and lighting/special effects.
