The audience is in, the curtain is up, and Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) are back on stage. BATS are very much the champions once again as they have another terrific show under their belt, this time bringing the hit musical We Will Rock You to Basingstoke’s Haymarket, running from 12th-16th May.
I previously saw the rehearsal of this show before the company reached the theatre.
Following the rehearsal, I was excited to see how We Will Rock You would be, with everything brought together, including the finer details of the set and costumes, and I was not disappointed. BATS We Will Rock You is a splendidly fun explosion of colour and sound. With slick choreography, courtesy of Jenny Sawyer and musical direction from Simon Eastwood, resulting in gorgeous harmonies, and a dedicated company that maintains full energy from start to finish, We Will Rock You is another terrific show from BATS. Yes, the show is kooky and very much over-the-top, but that’s why it works and is so enjoyable.
The two leads are fantastically cast. Dale Barrell as Galileio and Grace Trinder as Scaramouche have superb stage presence, and with their strong vocals that really do the music of Queen justice, the pair command attention brilliantly. The chemistry the two have feels genuine, and the way they bounce off each other naturally aids in bringing their characters to life that much more. With Barrell’s first song being ‘I Want To Break Free’, he quickly shows audiences what a powerful voice he has from the word go. Similarly, Trinder’s performance of ‘Somebody To Love’ really demonstrates what a skilled voice she has. Be it in the tender ‘Who Wants To Live Forever’ or the feisty ‘Hammer To Fall’, the pair’s vocals, like their on-stage chemistry, blend well together.
Gaz Cottier and Chloe Ballard as Brit and Oz are also excellently matched, with an infectious energy that is joyous to watch and makes the pair quick to love when they’re on stage. Ballard’s rendition of ‘Only The Good Die Young’ is a particularly special and poignant scene, where you could have heard a pin drop save for Ballard’s crystal clear vocals.
Whilst Queen is the soundtrack to this show, what I think makes the BATS company performances work so well is that no one is trying to be Freddie Mercury or his bandmates. The cast is performing the iconic hits, yes, but also making the songs their own. And they do so marvellously.
Whilst the above-mentioned performers are the leads, the whole company are stars in their own right, and each and every person deserves praise. Sally Manning and Ian Moseley are both so very good at being bad. They clearly understand and easily demonstrate that everyone loves a good villain. The rest of the company is comprised of Richard Bond, Victoria Southgate, Sophie Collins, Sabrina Hinchcliffe, Jade Hollingshead, Emily Hudson, Jade Williams, Stuart Baker, Jack Baldwin, Clara Cosh-Escott, Hiro Fam, Robert Lea, Joanna Watts and James Young. Additional vocalists are April Frost-Evans, Joanna Feasey, Holly Reedman, David Allard and Jonathan Warriss-Simmons.
From the moment the curtain rises until the moment it falls at the end, this show is full on, yet everyone takes it in their stride. The passion each person pours into their performances is palpable and brings the show alive. The hard work from every member of the company has definitely paid off, and that goes for everyone who has worked determinedly both on and off stage. The whole BATS company are a fantastic team of people who are working tirelessly to put on a show in their own time, alongside daily life, and shows like We Will Rock You show that their hard work is worth it. The futuristic setting of the show, combined with the mammoth music that is Queen, makes this far from an easy show to put on, but BATS took the challenge and ran with it very well. Every show BATS creates is a labour of love, and We Will Rock You is no exception.
Creativity, freedom, expression and individuality are what we could all do with celebrating right now, and these themes are all very much present in this show. With We Will Rock You, BATS have given audiences a camp, cheery and uplifting show – perfect for putting smiles on people’s faces and making people want to dance in their seats.
There are very few tickets left for the run of We Will Rock You, and after watching, I can see why! The whole BATS company should be proud of this show they have put together. If you’re unable to get yourself to see We Will Rock You and you’re sad to have missed out…well, that’s understandable! But BATS have set themselves a reputation for great theatre, so I am sure that whatever comes next will be just as well worth seeing.
Leyla Demirel
One Show at a Time
