Ian “Spud” Smith plays The Pharaoh

“I’ve missed it – big time!” Ian Smith, known universally as Spud, is speaking about his return to the stage in the show-stopping role of the Elvis-like Pharaoh in BATS’ production of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Ian ‘Spud’ Smith

Spud joined BATS in 1997 for Me and My Girl and has been involved in 47 shows since, playing roles like Bill Sikes in Oliver!, Jud Fry in Oklahoma! and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, as well as working backstage. But Joseph is the first time he’s been in front of an audience for a while.

“I had some health challenges,” Spud explains. “And if I was going to come back it had to be a part I really wanted to do. Years ago I was stage manager when BATS Next Gen (our sister Society) did Joseph, and I thought it would be a lovely show to do if it was ever available for adult groups to perform.”

What clinched it for Spud was his son Ruben being cast as one of the children’s choir in the current BATS production.

“If he wanted to do it – I wanted to do it,” says Spud. “And so far I’ve been to every rehearsal. I love watching it all come together, plus it’s useful as I can stand in for people if they’re absent.”

The night before we spoke, Spud had performed Pharaoh’s song Elvis-style with the cast for the very first time. How did it go?

“I gave it about 75%,” says Spud modestly. “You’d have to ask everyone else what they thought of it!”

Spud as Cowardly Lion in our production of The Wizard of Oz, November 2014

And just like Elvis’s glorious Las Vegas comeback in the ‘70’s, Spud’s comeback to BATS promises to be a memorable occasion!

“Apparently, I’m wearing the Elvis jumpsuit,” says Spud of his costume. “And after wearing a very figure-hugging outfit as the gold egg whisk in Beauty and the Beast back in 2010, it holds no fear!”

See Spud in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 14-19 November 2023. Book tickets online.

Not One, but Three Narrators for Joseph!

“Strange as it seems, there’s been a lot of crazy dreams…” Tingles run down the spine as three female singers harmonise beautifully in a lovely moment from Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat. The voices belong to Kirsty Kingham, Laura Newborough and Eronwy Selwyn, who play the three Narrators in BATS’ production.

Wait a minute - three? Wasn’t there just one in the original show?

“There aren’t that many female roles in Joseph,” says Laura, “so this casting choice gives more opportunities. Our director Louise Travis made us all sing together in the audition. We had to harmonise on the line “letting out a mighty roar!” and when she heard that she gave us all the part!”

Sharing the role doesn’t mean it’s one-third of the work for each of them though!

“We’re all on stage, all the time, interacting with the other characters and of course we’ve been working out new harmonies,” says Laura.

“Plus trying to remember which lines I DON’T sing,” adds Eronwy, “which is quite difficult when you’re used to singing along to the single narrator on the soundtrack recording!”

Kirsty’s bugbear has been learning the correct order of the 29 colours in the song about Joseph’s titular coat.

“Laura and I made up a story behind the colours and drew pictures so I could visualise it. It starts with the sun which is red and yellow - then comes down to earth, which is green and brown, and so on. It seems to be working!”

Kirsty Kingham

Laura Newborough

Eronwy Selwyn

How would each of the narrators describe the others?

“We’re definitely very different personalities!” says Eronwy.

“Eronwy is the powerhouse belter!” offers Laura. “Kirsty is more of a drama queen who can’t help hogging centre stage!”

“Except when it’s a dance number when I make sure Eronwy’s in the middle!” laughs Kirsty. “And for me, Laura is the Hermione Grainger of the narrators, trying to keep me in check! I’m in awe of them both!”

Being in Joseph is a “crazy dream” for all three performers.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to says “I love Joseph” because it reminds them of their childhood,” says Laura. “A lot of them saw Jason Donovan, or Donny Osmond in the film, or more recently Lee Mead or Jac Yarrow.”

“It’s the first show I was taken to see when I was six months old - it was my sister’s school production,” says Eronwy. “And I have very fond memories of seeing it with my Dad - I remember him dancing in the aisles during the Joseph Megamix!”

“It’s just so colourful! The music is really catchy, in lots of different styles, it’s funny, it’s loved by all generations and certainly for me, it’s a show that brings families together.”

See Kirsty, Laura and Eronwy in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 14-19 November 2023. Book tickets online.

One Show At a Time Reviewer Joins Us at a Shrek Rehearsal

A mixture of fairytale creatures from pigs to a fairy, a princess, and show-themed t-shirts galore all in an echoey church hall…it can all only mean one thing: there’s another show being rehearsed!

Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) are back in the room rehearsing their next musical; this time it is the family fun show Shrek The Musical. I was kindly invited along to their rehearsal to see what they’ve been up to, and what a treat it was – you know you’re having a wonderful time when you’re dancing in your seat as you make reviewing notes!

If you don’t know Shrek the Musical, it’s easy enough to explain. It’s the hugely popular movie about the ogre – Shrek – and the ever so lovely Princess Fiona, but on stage. All the best parts from the film are there, the characters everyone knows and loves, but it’s just been stepped up a gear – and of course, everyone is singing and dancing! The musical is hugely popular and has been on Broadway, in the West End and on a UK tour, and now it’s headed to Basingstoke. It may be an amateur dramatic production, but that certainly doesn’t make it any lesser of a show. With a fantastically uplifting soundtrack of songs such as ‘Big Bright Beautiful World’, ‘Forever’, ‘Let Your Freak Flag Fly’, and the ever-iconic ‘I’m A Believer’, BATS have chosen to do a show that has something to make everyone smile; a perfect family favourite choice. I mean, who wouldn’t want to see Shrek and Donkey singing a duet together? Can you think of anything else that is more the definition of fun than that? Because I can’t!

With just under 2 weeks to go until shows begin, it’s all go for BATS to be show ready in time, and from the looks of their rehearsal, they’re pretty much there and it is now just a case of finessing the details. Shrek is a very visual musical so there are parts where I wasn’t sure what was happening or parts where my imagination was having to fill in gaps based on what I know from the movie, but this only made me more excited to see the finished piece.

One thing is for sure though, where the visuals may have been lacking, this is more than made up for with enthusiasm and passion. The whole cast is absolutely all ready to go, with their characters all fully fleshed out. It was a joy to see everyone’s characters overflowing with personality. With Shrek, it’s not less is more, it’s more is more. Something the cast have nailed. The show and the characters are silly, fun, over the top, and sometimes a little bit ridiculous. But that’s exactly how it should be – and it is brilliant!

The rehearsal period of a show is one of unfathomable support. This is one of the few times where cast members will be able to see parts of the show they’re not in, as once they’ve moved into the theatre, it’s all full steam ahead to get polished for curtain up. The atmosphere of everyone rooting each other on and enjoying each other’s scenes was heartwarming and infectious. That feeling of community working together and supporting each other to make theatre and give audiences a good time is unmatched.

Shrek the Musical is the definition of Theatre with a capital T. There are jazz hands, clicking, tap dancing – the whole shebang. Sometimes multiple of these at once! And with everyone doing it in synchronisation! I adore the movie of Shrek and I love the musical, so I had high hopes prior to my visit. Now having seen what they’ve done so far, it seems with everyone in BATS working together and their hard work, they’re all very close to being stage ready. The rehearsal run-through alone made me laugh and had me dancing in my seat and left me with even more eager anticipation for the finished show. So with the cold nights creeping in and post-Halloween sadness where Christmas is still a bit too far away, why not take yourself and your family on a fun trip to the theatre to boost your mood and bring a smile to your face? Duloc and the residents are waiting to welcome you!

Leyla Demirel
One Show at a Time

Our All-Female Trio Bringing Shrek to the Stage

They’re the trio tasked with bringing the fairytale world of Shrek to the stage. And it’s a relief for Sally Manning, Jules Dance and Luannsa Goodman to finally see the fabulous family musical take shape.

Director and Co-choreographer, Sally Manning

“Shrek was originally planned for November 2020, but the pandemic put paid to that,” explains director and co-choreographer Sally. “So it’s been taking up a lot of space in my head for a long time! But as rehearsals have progressed, all those thoughts and ideas have been transferred to the cast, so I’m enjoying it a lot more now as my head feels a lot lighter!”

Based on the hugely popular animated film, Shrek is the tale of a green ogre who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside wisecracking Donkey, feisty Princess Fiona and evil Lord Farquaad – to discover that fairy tales aren’t always what they seem.

Choreographer, Luannsa Goodman

“The most important thing for us is to make the show pure magic,” says choreographer Luannsa. “My generation grew up loving the film, and I’ve watched the Broadway production on YouTube about 1000 times! But I’ve put my own spin on the dancing. It’s full of character, farcical, funny and slapstick, as well as technically challenging. We’re now drilling the little details and the cast are doing brilliantly.”

Musical director Jules agrees. “This is an exceptionally strong cast and I’m thrilled about that! We’ve got a live band for this show too. The music is fantastic and very clever, with nods to other shows which musical theatre fans will love.”

Children especially will enjoy seeing familiar characters pop up like Pinocchio, Peter Pan, the Gingerbread Man and the Three Little Pigs. But with a twist.

Musical Director, Jules Dance

“Shrek is very much NOT a pantomime,” says Sally. “It’s a story of acceptance. It’s told in a fun, humorous way, but definitely has a deeper meaning. All our lead actors understand that – and they’re phenomenal, they’re absolutely smashing it!””

“There are belly laughs and great physical comedy,” says Jules, “But there’s also passion and pathos. The show tugs at your soul!”

Sally, Luannsa and Jules are clearly delighted with how the cast and crew have responded to the challenge of fulfilling their vision for Shrek the Musical.

“There are lots of surprises in store for the audience,” teases Sally. “And we can’t wait for you to see it!”

Shrek the Musical runs from 10 - 19 November at the Haymarket. Buy tickets online.

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.