Meet Shrek and Lord Farquaad - Aka Reece Fitzgerald and Ben Kennedy

Newsflash! The farting green ogre who lives in a swamp in the Land of Duloc is actually a primary school teacher from Surrey! But then, as Shrek the Musical shows us, “Fairytales aren’t always what they seem.”

Reece Fitzgerald

And challenging expectations is something Reece Fitzgerald absolutely loves about playing the unlikely hero of BATS’ latest show, based on the hugely popular animated film.

“Shrek shows us that being you - being unique - is OK and can be celebrated, rather than always conforming to society’s expectations” says Reece.

“Lots of children I teach have got tickets to come and see Shrek. Hopefully it will inspire them. If their teacher can go off and do something completely different, they can too!”

“Knowing what their teacher does in his spare time also means I’m spared an awkward explanation, if I neglect to remove any green makeup before coming to class the next morning!”

Ben Kennedy

Shrek’s arch rival is the thoroughly evil Lord Farquaad, played by software engineer Ben Kennedy, for whom the role marks a radical departure from the string of pantomime dames he’s played recently in the Alton area.

“I’ve always wanted to be a baddie!” says Ben. “I think Farquaad has been festering underneath my personality for a long time! If I get booed by the audience at the end of the show that would be wonderful!”

Farquaad’s physical shortcomings provide much of the comedy - but it’s no laughing matter for Ben’s knees!

“I spend the whole show on them! Fortunately I had a vast array of knee pads in my garage from when I did extreme sports as a teenager. During rehearsals I’ve been wearing them out, pair by pair! It’s taking a lot of endurance!”

Both Reece and Ben are newcomers to BATS, something Reece found “nerve racking but exciting.” It was the chance to perform in Shrek that enticed them.

“It’s a show that captured my heart years ago,” says Reece. “I love the music and I saw the most recent tour of the show twice.”

“It’s a musical that’s works on different levels,” adds Ben. “The kids will love all the jokes and fairy tale characters. There’s adult humour too. Plus it gets pretty deep in places. But above all it’s a great feelgood family show!”

You can see Reece and Ben in Shrek the Musical from 10 - 19 November at the Haymarket. Buy tickets online.

Shrek child auditions - Information for pre-audition workshops, audition dates and registration

If you are a parent/guardian of a child and would like them to join us to perform in our production of Shrek, here is the information you need about auditions. Children will need to be 7 years or older to audition.

The show will be performed at The Haymarket from 10 - 19 November.

What are we looking for?
We are looking to cast six children for three roles. Each role will be shared by two children:

• Little Fiona - playing age 7 - 10 years

• Little Shrek - playing age 7 - 10 years

• Teenage Fiona - playing age 10 - 14 years

If you want to know a little more before you decide to put your child forward for audition, view the audition pieces and the schedule of rehearsal dates. Rehearsals are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings and on some Sundays.

Pre-audition workshops
Pre-audition workshops will be fun and informal run by our very approachable Creative Team: Sally Manning (Director), Jules (Musical Director) and Luannsa (Choreographer). To get the best out of our auditionees, it is our job to make your child feel at ease!

Pre-audition rehearsals will take place on the following dates. You’ll only need to attend one session to go through the audition material but may attend more if there is space. Please email marketing@bats.net with which workshop/s you wish to attend and the name and age of your child:
Wed 1 Jun: 18.30 - 19.30
Mon 6 Jun: 18.30 - 19.30
Wed 8 Jun: 18.30 - 19.30
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

Auditions You must have paid the £10 audition and Junior members fee and completed the form to audition for the show. This must be paid by Wednesday 8 June.
We ask that your child has familiarised themselves with the music and dance learnt during the pre-audition workshops.

Date: Saturday 11 June
Time: You will be allocated a timeslot for your child’s audition
Venue: Market Chambers, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7QE

Costs involved

We want you to be aware of the costs involved, so that you can make an informed decision before you commit your child to an audition.

Audition: £10 - This covers the cost of the audition and Junior Membership for your child
Performance fee: £50 - Only payable if your child is successful at audition and cast in the show
Additional expenditure - You may incur some limited additional expenditure, e.g. for costumes, shoes, personal props etc.

Shrek adult auditions - Information for pre-audition workshops, audition dates and registration

If you are an adult (18+ years) and would like to join us to perform in our November 2022 production of Shrek, 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 is not mandatory to attend in order to audition)
Mon 30th May: 19:30 – 22:00 hrs
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

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', ‘tappers’ and 'dancers'). You do not need to register or book a slot to attend a rehearsal.

Pre-audition rehearsals will take place on:
Wed 1 Jun: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs - Music with Jules and Tap audition piece with Leigh
Mon 6 Jun: 19:30 – 22:00 hrs - Music with Jules, Movers and Dance audition pieces with Luannsa
Wed 8 Jun: 19:45 – 22:00 hrs - Music with Jules, Movers and Dance audition pieces with Luannsa
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

Auditions
The online audition form must be submitted by Wed 8 June.

Sat 11 Jun: 12:30 - 17:00 Venue: Market Chambers, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7QE

Sun 12 Jun: Times TBC
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

Performance Fee
If you are successfully cast in the show, a performance fee of £100 is payable before the costume call (Thurs ). 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 schedule of rehearsal dates.

Sister Act Review, May 2022 - NODA

Scenery/Set/Properties: The main backdrop (a large, of stained-glass arches) was most impressive and of the highest quality. There were a variety of scenes inside the Convent (refectory, dormitory, Mother Superior’s office and Confessional) and on the outside, the night club, police station and the street. Some sets were made up using basic properties enabling quick changes to keep the action moving and the props, when necessary, were well used by the cast. There was good attention to detail including a walking stick that lit up which was in keeping with the upbeat nature of one of the songs.

The programme was colour, glossy and of superior quality. There was a message from the Chairman, photos of the cast, some rehearsal photos and details of future productions and auditions. It contained all the necessary information about the show and there was also some information about the group and how to get involved.

Costume/Hair/Make Up: The costumes were brilliant, smart, in keeping with the characters and displayed great attention to detail. Deloris’ ‘fur’ coat, the nun’s habits with ever changing front pieces, pyjamas, Monsignor’s vestments, costumes for night club patrons and people in the street, and even the Pope’s vestments were all authentic. Eddie’s on-stage change from police to ‘Vegas Elvis’ white jump suit and back to police uniform was magnificent and well executed. Most of the cast’s hair was hidden under their nuns’ headdresses but the 70s wigs for Joey, TJ and Pablo were just right.

Lighting, sound and special effects: An excellent use of lighting beautifully brought the stained-glass arches to life during scenes inside the chapel, while effective use of multi-coloured lighting and a glitter ball created the lively nightclub atmosphere. The cast sounded terrific. Sally Manning as Mother Superior was outstanding. She was grounded, note perfect and sang with self-possessed authority. Kirsty Kingham had irresistible energy bringing great gusto to the role, (if perhaps just a little over-amplified in the opening number) In complete contrast, Rhianon Mone’s solo ‘The Life I never Led’ was beautifully sung with innocence and dignity.

The production: This feel-good show was a triumph from start to finish. It was energetic, hilarious and joyful. The show was filled with great moments and the cast shone. The direction and choreography by Louise Travis was excellent, creative and filled with humour; the cast being in synch with the music and each other. The laughter was particularly evident when Joey, TJ and Pablo sang and engaged with the audience; particularly one lady! Luannsa Goodman was cheeky and charming as the exuberant Sister Mary Patrick. Deloris’ journey takes her from selfishness to responsibility and sisterhood and Kirsty Kingham took the audience with her.

This was a well-crafted show with huge talent both on and off the stage. There was a great deal of comedy and a theme of genuine affection and friendship. All in all, a fantastic evening that enabled the audience to leave the theatre with beaming smiles.

Chris Horton
District 14 Regional Representative
National Operatic and Dramatic Society (NODA)

Sister Act Review, May 2022 - It's All An Act

Firstly can I say what an incredible sound this society make! Adam Blosse (Musical Director) deserves a medal for the quality that he has drawn out of this fabulous cast.

The show began with a bang, vocally and visually with Kirsty Kingham (Deloris) providing the lead vocals being back by Kirsty Bennett (Michelle) and Rachel Potter (Tina) and accompanied by the glamorous drag queen dancers Ben Waines and Ben Shallow. We started as we meant to go on.

Joining the ladies on stage was the male entourage bringing a new element to the stage in the form of Paul Morris (Curtis), Richard Bond (Joey), James Young (TJ), Bryn Hughes (Pablo), it was clear that all the males had been given clear direction for their characters as they were all believable and reacted well to each other's character.

The show moves towards the police station where we met ‘Sweaty Eddie’, I mean Eddie Souther played by Ian Moseley. His moustache which was something to be admired - a solid performance from the man throughout the show including his solo.

The time came in the show when we entered the Nuns’ convent and this was where most of the laughter from the audience came from, not just from the script writing but for the comedic timing and facial expressions from every single nun that was on stage. Each nun had their own personality which was clear and shone through and the attention to detail did not go unnoticed.

There are a few nuns that are worth mentioning as they had stand out performances. Sally Manning (Mother Superior) - this hilarious woman never failed to get a laugh from the audience. Rhianon Mone (Sister Mary Robert) portrayed the timid and shy nun character that was expected and sang wonderfully in her solo. Luannsa Goodman played the energetic and excitable Sister Mary Patrick to the letter and filled the stage without fail. Kirsty Kingham (Deloris/Sister Mary Clarence) whether a nun or not, she was the right person for this part and made this character her own with the vocal ability and emotional character portrayed throughout.

On the other side within the convent was Anthony Mitchell (Monsignor O’Hara) with his optimistic Irish charm to complement Mother Superior.

There were a few hiccups with the sound but the cast continued through like professionals, I found that some of the scene changes were a little awkward and distracting from the actors sometimes, but apart from that I must say that the lighting for the show was phenomenal and added a real classy element to the show.

I must finish where I started by saying that this society makes an incredible sound, whether it be full cast, three-part harmonies or solos - the singing made this show.

Jaz Wilson
It's All An Act