There are worse things she could do...

She’s tough, sarcastic, doesn’t care what others think of her – and gets to sing one of the best songs in the musical Grease - “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”.

“Absolutely gobsmacked,” was Chloe Ballard’s reaction when she won the iconic part of Rizzo, as played by Stockard Channing in the 1978 movie.

Picture of Chloe Ballard rehearsing for Rizzo

Rizzo is the leader of the Pink Ladies, the gang of teenage girls who rule the school at Rydell High, 1959. Her cynical view of the romance between lead characters Danny and Sandy masks her own vulnerability.

“People tell me it’s the best part in the show,” says 21-year-old Chloe. “My mum is over the moon. And my three-year-old niece is really excited - I’ve got her a little jacket so she can be a Pink Lady too!”

It’s Chloe’s debut with BATS but she has long-term friends in the Society. “I shared the role of Sweet Charity at college with Jade Hollingshead, who plays Jan in Grease,” Chloe explains. “I came to see her in Sister Act earlier this year and was blown away by how professional the show was. I really wanted to be part of BATS.”

By day Chloe is a childcare assistant at a nursery in Basingstoke, but she says dealing with excited toddlers is a breeze compared to one previous job. “I was a hotel entertainer in Gran Canaria. I helped run the kids’ club, looked after guests and any spare time was spent rehearsing for the big evening show. I lasted two weeks!”

But Chloe has really risen to the challenge of bringing Rizzo to life. “She’s very different to me – I’m very emotional but she hides her emotions. Rehearsals have been about finding her voice, exploring who she is – and learning some amazing dances!"

“I love performing because what I do on stage can make other people happy, and that makes me happy too. I can’t wait for audiences to see Grease – hopefully they’ll love it!”

Grease runs for nine performances from Thurs 19th - Sat 28th November.

Hopelessly devoted to football!

Think Grease, and chances are you'll think of big-quiffed John Travolta and super-sweet Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 movie that became the most successful film musical of all time.

But this November two new kids on the block hope to make the roles of Danny and Sandy their own.

Picture of Rhianon Mone

Craig Saunders (played the role of Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, Nov 2014) and Rhianon Mone are in the thick of rehearsals for the lead roles for our production of Grease.

This is 18-year-old Rhianon's first show with BATS. "It was nerve racking at first when I had to sing 'Hopelessly Devoted to You' in front of everyone. But they've all been really supportive, especially Craig. It's just as well because we have to snog on stage!"

Rhianon certainly looks the part of shy Sandy but don't be fooled - she has a big competitive streak. "I'm a football fanatic! Last year I had a Reading season ticket and I've played since I was 9 for girls' teams, Basingstoke Colts and Tadley Calleva."

But football now takes a back seat for this Farnborough Sixth Form student who has her sights set on a performing career. "I can't picture doing anything else! I started singing, dancing and acting at Stagecoach Saturday school when I was five. I played Frenchy in BATS Next Gen's production of Grease last year."

Rhianon's loving the teamwork involved in bringing the fashions, slang and dance crazes of Rydell High School, 1959, to the stage. "We're all working hard to make Grease the best it can be. It should be a fantastic show!"

Grease runs for nine performances from Thurs 19th - Sat 28th November. 

Sally is superior in her role!

They’re nuns who’ve unleashed their inner divas, habits swirling as they dance up a storm while belting out a fabulous disco tune. It can only be a scene from Sister Act, the film-turned-musical that’s coming to the Haymarket in May.

Fans of the film will remember Whoopi Goldberg as nightclub singer Deloris, forced to hide in a convent and inspiring the nuns to find their voices. In the rehearsal room, it’s the job of musical director Rachel Glover to turn the ladies of BATS into a credible line-up of showstopping sisters.

Sally Manning in rehearsal for Sister Act

“They’ve really thrown themselves into it!” says Rachel. “There are lots of complicated harmonies to learn but they’re doing a great job!"

The songs are an exuberant mix of 1970s styles. “There are little nods to artists like Chic, Barry White and Kool and the Gang. It’s a lot of fun – a real feelgood musical!” Watching on is Sally Manning, who plays the disapproving Mother Superior, played by Maggie Smith in the film.

“I’m trying to protect the convent from the disruption Deloris brings,” explains Sally. “The hardest thing is keeping a straight face! There are some very funny performances from the other nuns but I’ve got to stay serious.”

Sally’s incredible voice is showcased in two big numbers. “It’s my first time on stage in ten years, but I knew I had to be in Sister Act,” says Sally. “It’s one of my favourite musicals.” Judging by the fun everyone’s having in rehearsal, Sister Act looks set to win many more fans.

Six performances of Sister Act run from Tuesday 12th - Saturday 16th May. Performances start at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm Saturday matinee.

Louise's new Role is Second to Nun!

When Whoopi Goldberg put on a habit and brought chaos to Maggie Smith’s convent, the result was comedy gold. ‘Sister Act’ became one of the most popular films of the 1990s. Now there’s reason to rejoice, as the fabulous stage musical version of Sister Act is coming to Basingstoke for the very first time.

Louise Gains takes Whoopi’s role of Deloris Van Cartier, the nightclub diva who witnesses a crime and must go into hiding.

Louise Gains in rehearsal as Doloris for Sister Act

“I’ve always loved the film, then I saw the musical in Guildford and thought it was amazing,” says Louise. “I thought ‘that’s a part I really want to play’. People say I’ve got that swagger, and the songs are great to perform – really soulful and uplifting.”

Louise can draw on a wealth of musical experience. Away from her day job as a finance administrator, she sings with the funk band Verber, records with local artists, has played the main stage at Basingstoke Live and even been heard on Radio 1 Xtra.

It’s a busy schedule but she’s got great support from her two sons JJ, who’s 10, and Kaiden, 8. “They’re singing along and helping me learn the lines. I hope they’ll be proud of me when they see me on stage.”

A lot of the fun in Sister Act comes from the choir of nuns whose singing goes from bad to brilliant, thanks to guidance from Louise’s character. “The nuns are fantastic, they’ve all got their own personalities, and their singing is joyful. You’ll come out of the theatre feeling totally uplifted!”

Six performances of Sister Act run from Tuesday 12th - Saturday 16th May. Performances start at 7:30pm with a 2:30pm Saturday matinee.

Meet the friends of Dorothy - The Wizard of Oz

Dorothy, Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man in costume

In The Wizard of Oz, they’re the trio of faithful friends who help Dorothy reach the Emerald City and defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. Anyone who’s seen the film will remember the Scarecrow who sings “If I Only Had A Brain”, the Tin Man who yearns for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who just longs to be brave. Bringing these much-loved characters to life on the Haymarket stage are Craig Saunders, Bryn Hughes and Ian ‘Spud’ Smith, all long-term members of Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society.

Dorothy (Alyssia Kershaw) with Lion (Ian 'Spud' Smith), Scarecrow (Craig Saunders) and Tin Man (Bryn Hughes)

“It’s great being able to act stupid and get away with it!” laughs Craig, who spends much of the time as the Scarecrow falling over. Luckily his costume is well padded. But Scarecrow faces other perils in the show. “At one point my legs and arms get pulled off by flying monkeys!” Fortunately Bryn and Spud know how to put him back together. “It’s been great getting that camaraderie with the other guys.”

As Tin Man, Bryn is encased in an impressive metal costume that was built for BATS’ 1985 production of The Wizard of Oz. Bryn has helped to completely renovate it, alongside stage manager Steve Brannam. “I’ve been rehearsing in the costume to get the movement right. You feel quite restricted. It’s not that heavy but it’s quite difficult to walk and tap dance in.”

When the show opens, Bryn must also contend with silver make-up, a skin tight catsuit and a big funnel on his head. “It’s going to be very hot! I’ll make sure there’s plenty of water at the side of the stage!”

Spud is also expecting to sweat buckets in his furry lion costume and mane. He has vivid memories of appearing in BATS’ 1998 production of The Wizard of Oz. “I broke my elbow on stage! I was playing a Munchkin, jumped off a wall and lost my footing.”

This time round will be a happier occasion – he’ll mark his 200th performance at the Haymarket during the run. His four-year-old son Reuben will also be in the audience. Spud says he’s a tough critic. “If I’m practising my lines he picks up on any mistakes. He knows the script better than I do!”

Craig, Bryn and Spud all praise the dedication of the cast and crew bringing The Wizard of Oz to the stage. “There’s a joyous atmosphere in rehearsals,” says Spud. “It’s a wonderful family show, and everyone wants to make it as good as it can be.”

Ten performances of The Wizard of Oz run from Thursday 20 - Saturday 29 November. Performances start at 7.15pm with 2.15pm matinees on Saturday 22, Sunday 23 and Saturday 29.