It was Gaz's First Ever Musical at College and Now He's Rocking for a Second Time!

He’s a dynamic personality who drives the plot of the musical We Will Rock You. “Brit” leads a group of rebels, the Bohemians, who are passionate about bringing back rock music to a world where it’s been outlawed.

Gaz plays Brit in We Will Rock You

In rehearsal for BATS’ production of the show, actor Gaz Cottier is hurling himself “Headlong” into the role, whether it’s a physical action sequence or belting out a classic Queen song like I Want It All or Crazy Little Thing Called Love. What audiences may not realise is that Gaz has a serious visual impairment.

“I’m legally blind,” says Gaz. “I can only see out of one eye - and that’s not great. I’ve had a couple of retinal detachments and need another cataract surgery.”

“I can’t make direct eye contact, so when I’m acting opposite Chloe who plays Brit’s partner Oz, I try to focus on her nose instead!”

“I have all the music in large print on my iPad, as I can’t read the notes off paper manuscripts. We’ve also had numerous conversations about lighting levels.”

“It makes things a tad challenging,” he adds modestly. “But I assure you I’ll be absolutely fine!”

Indeed, when Gaz heard BATS were doing We Will Rock You, it was a case of Don’t Stop Me Now.

“The show’s special to me as it was the first musical I ever performed in and the first time I ever sang on stage. I was 17 and it was at sixth form college in North Wales.”

“One of the teachers was musical director of a male voice choir and encouraged me to join as he could see some promise in my voice, but he said it needed proper training.”

Fast forward almost two decades and Gaz is revisiting the show that first gave him that performing bug.

“Just being a part of singing those songs…it’s something quite special.”

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

"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.

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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.

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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).