Angus is Back with his Signature Pizzazz!

Flashback to March 2020. Angus Jacobs is bringing the sass to BATS as he choreographs the six “merry murderesses” of the Cook County Jail in the show-stopping Cell Block Tango - just one of the numbers in the sizzling musical Chicago which is due to be performed at the Haymarket in a few weeks’ time.

“He had it coming,” is their repeated refrain, as each think their crime was justified.

Then - lockdown happens.
Suddenly we’re all in confinement.
The show has to be scrapped - the number is never seen.
Until now.

April 2024 - and Angus is back in the rehearsal room, revisiting the delectably devilish song, for the upcoming BATS revue, On With the Show.

Angus Jacobs

“It was definitely unfinished business,” says Angus. “It was obviously a real shame what happened four years ago, but it’s good to be back! BATS is a great society with lots of talent, so when I was asked if I’d like to finally bring Cell Block Tango to the stage, I said I’d love to!”

Angus is also staging a song from another hugely popular show, the anthem Somebody to Love from the Queen musical, We Will Rock You.

“When I’m approached by a theatre company about directing and choreographing, it’s got to be something I feel I can add my personality to,” says Angus. “I like shows with LGBTQ+ elements to them, such as Victor Victoria, Soho Cinders and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which I staged at the Bridewell Theatre in London. Shows that I can be creative with, that have something different about them.”

After working as part of a team of creatives on the BATS revue, which brings a huge range of West End and Broadway showstoppers to the Haymarket stage this May, Angus will make a full-blooded return to BATS when he takes the helm of the ‘80’s musical Rock of Ages in Spring 2025.

“The show is absolutely bonkers and very funny,” laughs Angus. “It’s got big hair, air guitars, wind machines, pyrotechnics and amazing songs like The Final Countdown and We Built This City. I grew up in the ‘80’s - that was my time - and it’s got my name written all over it!”

That’s something to savour in the future. For now, Angus is happy getting the chance to delve into the past and finally bring Chicago’s Cell Block Tango to the stage with all his signature pizzazz!

On With The Show runs at the Haymarket, Basingstoke on Friday 17 May at 7.30pm and Saturday 18 May at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

Michelle's Back After a 24-Year Interval

“When my son was three years old, he wouldn’t watch the Teletubbies. Instead he used to watch the film of Chicago on a loop! He knew all the words to the Cell Block Tango by heart! So I’m now having a “full circle” moment, as I’m going to be performing that very same number with BATS!”

Michelle Anderson is very excited about returning to the stage after a break of 24 years. In the 1990s she trained in Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting, where she met her husband Xavier. After pursuing a professional career she gave up performing to raise her two sons.

Michelle Anderson

“In recent years I’ve been running theatre workshops for kids and helping them achieve their LAMDA qualifications. But I really wanted to experience that joy for myself again,” says Michelle.

“I’d been thinking for a few years about joining a local theatre group. Then last year I saw BATS’ production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and thought ‘this is the one!’”

Michelle joins BATS for On With The Show, described as a ‘musical theatre roulette’ featuring showstoppers from West End and Broadway hits including Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Six and the aforementioned Chicago.

“For me it’s been fun to come in and find myself playing different characters from different shows. There’s something for everyone. And the talent in BATS is insane! I’m having to raise my game as some of the dancing is pretty challenging!

“I admit as the show gets closer I have been thinking, ‘is this wise?’. But my husband and boys told me they need to see me back on stage, so it’s great to have their support.”

Meanwhile it’s also full circle for Michelle’s Chicago-loving son - who’s now pursuing his own career in musical theatre!

“He said “we are so proud of you mum” and I can’t wait for them to see the show! The rehearsals have been full of joy, fun and laughter and I’m really looking forward to getting back on stage!”

See Michelle in On With the Show at the Haymarket, Basingstoke on Friday 17th May at 7.30pm and Saturday 18th May at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. View show information and book tickets.

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.

Tom Boncey knew he was the right fit for Angel

“I just saw this character and thought, ‘that’s the fit, that’s me – it’s like I was looking at myself!”

Unusually, the first time Tom Boncey encountered the vulnerable but fabulous Angel, the character he plays in our production of Rent, was while playing that same character’s lover in a college version of the musical!

Tom Boncey

“I was Tom Collins in that show, but when I heard BATS were doing Rent, I knew I had to be Angel. I really focussed on bringing the right kind of energy to the audition. But I was also thinking, “out of the way, that part is mine!”

Angel is a performance artist and street musician who becomes the pillar of a community of fellow creatives in New York’s East Village. Rent follows a year in their lives. It’s a powerful and uplifting story of friendship, love, survival and living for today – with heartbreak along the way.

Once he got the part, Tom began to realise the scale of the challenge ahead.

Tom in rehearsal with James Young (Collins)

“It’s full-on. Angel is one of the most iconic LGBTQ+ characters in musical theatre and goes through a huge emotional journey. I’ve really had to access those feelings inside myself. In the song I’ll Cover You, there’s a very vulnerable moment where they first have physical contact with Tom.”

“I’ve also been building up my stamina for the dancing which is really challenging. But I’ve really been encouraged to explore the depths to this character by the director Louise and her assistant Ian, and I like the version of Angel that we’ve created together.”

“The show is very relatable. These characters are struggling and a lot of people are facing similar issues today with the cost of living crisis.”

“On a personal level, I’m an openly gay person, playing an openly gender-neutral person, and I love the fact that Rent celebrates diversity in all its forms.”

See Tom in Rent at the Haymarket from 16th-20th May 2023. Book tickets online.