"It was a Sign!" Grace Recalls the Moment she Decided to Audition for Scaramouche

We Will Rock You holds a very special place in the heart of Grace Trinder, who plays the leading role of Scaramouche in BATS’ production of the musical which features all the best-loved songs of Queen.

Grace Trinder plays Scaramouche

“It reminds me of a really nice time in my life,” says Grace, who teaches drama at the Abbey School in Reading. “I put on the show at school in 2024. Of course we all loved the songs, but finding sense in the craziness of the story with the kids was just amazing! I was also getting married around the same time, so when I saw BATS were doing the show I thought this is a sign! I just had to audition!”

After the big responsibility of directing, producing and stage managing that school version, Grace is enjoying taking to the stage herself again after a break of several years.

“I get a new energy when I go to rehearsal and do something just for me. I don’t have to make all the decisions and I’m not dealing with the stress of everything else.”

She’s loving the part of Scaramouche, the rebel on a mission to bring back rock ‘n roll to a world where music has been banned.

“She’s blunt, sarcastic - very much my sense of humour! And she gets to be in all the good songs - Somebody to Love, Who Wants to Live Forever, Under Pressure, Hammer to Fall, Headlong.”

“There are a lot of harmonies to learn so I’m just listening to the soundtrack in the car over and over again!”

It sounds like Grace has the perfect balance of a job and a hobby she loves. She certainly has no regrets about giving up a professional career in performing.

“I trained in musical theatre and acting for film. I was in the industry for a year but I didn’t like the uncertainty of it all. I didn’t want to fall out of love with the theatre - but still wanted to do a job where I could do theatre every day. Now as a teacher I’m helping kids to love it - and hopefully keeping theatre alive for the next generation!”

See Grace in We Will Rock You at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 12-16 May 2026. View show information and book tickets.

Dale's Gearing Up to Rock for the Second Time!

“What I love most about performing is being up on stage with all your mates, having a great time and hopefully getting that across to the audience too,” says Dale Barrell, star of BATS’ production of We Will Rock You.

Dale Barrell stars as Galileo

“Then at the end you can look back and say we did it! We got through it! And it’s all about working together as part of a team.”

After making his BATS debut in Come From Away last year, Dale’s now loving playing the lead role of Galileo in the musical that features all the best loved songs of Freddie Mercury and Queen, anchored to a witty script by comedian Ben Elton.

Set in a dystopian future where live music is banned by the tyrannical Globalsoft Corporation, We Will Rock You follows rebels Galileo and Scaramouche as they fight to restore rock 'n' roll to its rightful place!

“It’s a privilege to perform all of Queen’s iconic songs - but really tough to choose a favourite,” says Dale. “Who Wants to Live Forever is a beautiful number, but I also love the big anthems like We Are The Champions. Hopefully audiences will be waving their arms and singing along to that one!”

Dale got the performing bug in local pantomimes where he also turned his hand to writing, directing and choreography. He later joined CODY musical theatre company and has just finished a run in their production of We Will Rock You in Aldershot.

Surely it’s been confusing rehearsing two separate versions of the same show?

“Fortunately not!” laughs Dale. “I played another role in the CODY show, and their version was a different interpretation to BATS. There wasn’t too much of an overlap!”

Now Dale’s fully focussed on bringing Galileo to life. He hopes audiences seeing We Will Rock You for the first time - and hearing the songs performed by a live band - will have the same reaction he experienced when he saw the original production at London’s Dominion Theatre.

“I was blown away by the music, the sound, everything! It was like a rock concert with a story. I absolutely loved it!”

See Dale in We Will Rock You at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 12-16 May 2026. View show information and book tickets.

We Will Rock You auditions - Information for pre-audition workshops, audition dates and registration

If you are an adult aged 18+ and would like to join us to perform in We Will Rock You, here is the information you need about auditions.

The show will be performed at The Haymarket in Basingstoke from 12 - 16 May 2026.

---

ACCESS AUDITION RESOURCES ONLINE: MEMBERS AREA

You must be a paid-up member to be able to access audition materials and the online audition form.

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.

ELIGIBILITY TO AUDITION

Our preference is for cast members to attend ALL rehearsals - especially the director’s setting blocks. Alongside director setting dates, cast will be called for rehearsal every Monday and Wednesday evening and on some Sundays. That said, we understand that conflicts can happen. If there are any dates you’re unavailable, please note them on your audition form, and we’ll take that into consideration during casting. View the outline rehearsal schedule.

---

Welcome talk and Social

It is not mandatory to attend in order to audition:
Date: Wed 17 Dec 2025: 7.30pm – 10.00pm
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT
What will happen:
This is a chance to meet the Creative Team who will go through the expectations and their vision for the show i.e. characters, how auditions will go etc. The evening will then continue with Christmas drinks for all with time to catch up with members old and new.

Pre-audition workshops

You do not have to attend a pre-audition workshop in order to audition. An optional individual 10-minute singing session with the Musical Director or Assistant Musical Director can be booked (*see below). The audition dance will be taught on audition day.

Dates: Mon 5, Wed 7 January

Timetable:
7.30pm - 8.00pm - Ensemble singing (Musical Director and Assistant Musical Director)
8.00pm - 10.00pm - Individual singing 10-minute slot* (Musical Director and Assistant Musical Director)

*One individual slot per person. Book via the Show Manager at a pre-audition session (or email batsshowmanager@gmail.com)

Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

Auditions

The online audition form must be submitted by 11.59pm on Wednesday 7 January 2026.

Auditions and callbacks will be held on:

Date: Sat 10 January: 9.30am - 6.00pm
Venue: St. Mark’s School, Danebury Rd, Basingstoke, RG22 4US

Date: Sun 11 January: 9.30am - 6.00pm
Venue: St. Mark’s School, Danebury Rd, Basingstoke, RG22 4US

Performance Fee

If you are successfully cast in the show, a performance fee of £120 is payable (can be paid in full or in four instalments).

Come From Away Review, November 2025 - One Show at a Time

Come From Away is the true story of a small town in Canada adapting and offering open arms to any who needed help after the awful 9/11 attacks. Through this show, BATS are showcasing a beautiful story of hope, having an open heart, and coming together when the world needs it most. From the rehearsal to the finished show, all the final details have come together, and team BATS have put on a show that demonstrates to everyone just how fantastic the company really can be. Whilst details such as lighting, costumes and set are not necessarily crucial for a show to be enjoyable, when these final touches are added, they only elevate the show further – BATS’ Come From Away is one such example of this. It was a real treat to be able to watch this beautiful musical be told by such a wonderful company.

Come From Away is very much a show where every single person on the stage is crucial, and every member of the cast was brilliantly skilled at embodying their characters across the duration of the show. The cast was made up of Hiro Fam, Nicola Morrin, Jenny Green, Sabrina Hinchliffe, Rutendo Mushambi, Laura Burrell, Richard Bond, Anna Neary, Michelle Anderson, Sally Manning, Holly Reedman, James Young, Ian Moseley, Liz Walsh, Jonathan Warriss-Simmons, and Dale Barrell. It was a joy to watch every single member of the cast stand on that stage and pour their heart and souls out. Everyone who stood on that stage is distinguished in their own right.

Thanks to Wells’ musical direction, every song sounded sublime, from the rousing group numbers such as the blood-pumping opening number ‘Welcome To The Rock’, to the stunning harmonies heard in ‘Somewhere In The Middle Of Nowhere’, Sally Manning’s performance as Hannah gives goosebumps in her rendition of ‘I Am Here, whilst ‘Me And The Sky’ performed by Sabrina Hinchliffe as Beverly Bass, was admirable to say the least. Jonathon Warriss-Simmons and MMichelle Anderson, as Nick and Diane, had a natural and endearing chemistry that felt authentic, and their performance of ‘Stop The World’ was so bittersweet. I could go on, but needless to say, everyone on that stage more than did their characters and the story justice. There is not one standout performer in this show; every single person stood out. The whole cast should be proud of the love, emotions and skilful performances they all delivered on that stage.

Come From Away is not an easy show. It is heavy and demanding and comes with high expectations, but BATS have taken this all in their stride. The choreography and movement, courtesy of Jenny Sawyer and Jade Hollingshead, is slick and perfectly precise. I got confused just watching all the chairs move around the stage, but the team made everything look seamless! The energy and emotions of such a taxing show were maintained at the highest level from start to finish, and the cast managed to balance the tender, heartfelt and heartbreaking moments, contrasted with the lighter, comedic moments perfectly. Everyone ensured that both their performances and the show were delivered with the utmost sensitivity and respect.

Come From Away really is the show the world needs right now, and there really is something in it for everyone. Whether you go alone or with friends or family, regardless of age, the one thing this show will do is make you feel. And that right there is a sure sign of good theatre – something that stirs emotion. Every show BATS puts on is special, but I think I can be bold enough to say that Come From Away is BATS at their finest. Not only have this company put on a fantastic show well worth seeing, but with this production, BATS rivals the West End. Come From Away may be a short show, but its impact is far from it, and lasts long after the final curtain.

Leyla Demirel
One Show at a Time

Come From Away Review, November 2025 - Basingstoke Gazette

Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) has taken to the stage with its eagerly awaited production of Come From Away. The musical, which has captivated audiences on both the West End and Broadway, shares the true story of Gander, a small Newfoundland town that suddenly found itself with thousands of stranded passengers following the 9/11 attacks. It is a story of resilience and the best of humanity, made all the more poignant by the fact that the characters are inspired by real people.

As someone who’s seen the professional productions in Toronto, London, and most recently on tour in Southampton (yes, I’m a huge fan), I was genuinely excited to see how BATS would approach it. Being the first amateur group in Hampshire to secure the rights, the group was one of 500 applicants when they first became available, and Basingstoke should be so pleased that they were successful. 

The opening night, held on Tuesday, November 18, for local charities and community heroes, was nothing short of electric.

Sally Manning gave a breathtaking performance as Hannah, one of the ‘plane people’ desperately trying to reach her firefighter son in New York. Her renditions of ‘I Am Here’ and ‘Something’s Missing’ had the audience completely captivated, sharing every emotion with her.

Hiro Fam also made a striking BATS debut as Ali, a Muslim chef of Egyptian heritage who faces distrust from some fellow passengers and airport staff. It’s a challenging role, but like Hannah, the audience truly felt for him thanks to his sensitive and powerful portrayal.

Special recognition is due to Dale Barrell (police officer Oz) and Holly Reedman (TV reporter Janice Mosher), who both embodied their characters with authenticity and consistency, particularly impressing with their accents.

Of course, if you've seen the professional production, you'll be aware of the iconic jacket swapping as actors take on multiple roles. With a larger cast, this production does lack that element, but in return we do get to see more local talent, which is always a bonus.

The technical team faced an enormous challenge with this production, as the world of Gander is created using only tables, chairs, jackets and lighting. With reportedly over 1,000 cues, the sound and tech crew were the unsung heroes, bringing the magic of Gander to life behind the scenes.

Megan Stanley
Basingstoke Gazette