BATS members have faced a tough time preparing for their upcoming performance of Sister Act at The Haymarket theatre, with Covid “severely impacting” rehearsals according to chairman of the amateur theatrical society, Ian Moseley.
However, you would never know this from the incredible performance the hugely talented cast put on. Despite more than two thirds of the cast ill and in isolation for two weeks during March, the team has worked hard to pull together and perfect the production which is set to uplift and delight audiences from May 17 to 21.
It is the second time BATS has staged Sister Act, after wowing audiences back in 2015. The society decided to revisit the successful show as members “find our feet again post lockdowns”, said Ian. Based on the book by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, the story is perhaps a familiar one to many who remember the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg.
It follows nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier (Kirsty Kingham) who is witness to a fatal shooting carried out by her on-off boyfriend Curtis (Paul Morris).
Forced to go into hiding undercover in a convent, Deloris finds friendship and support from the group of nuns. Kirsty Kingham embraced her inner-diva to play a convincing Deloris, adopting her feistiness and sassiness with ease as she strutted across the stage in confidence and belted out the musical numbers with power and emotion. No one will leave questioning her star quality after her rendition of Fabulous, Baby!
However, it is not just the lead roles who shine, with many of the supporting characters also standing out and impressing with their physicality and vocal performances.
The group musical numbers dotted throughout are a joy to watch, expertly choreographed by Louise Travis who is also director. Uplifting, joyous and wildly funny, it’s impossible not to tap your foot along and have a little boogie in your seat when the nuns sing, dance and rap together.
This is juxtaposed with the emotional ballads, including Mother Superior’s (Sally Manning) Here Within These Walls, which feels almost ethereal performed against the beautifully lit chapel set complete with stunning stained-glass windows.
Morris gives a powerful performance as Curtis singing When I Find My Baby and Eddie Southern (Ian Moseley) evokes sympathy in I Could Be That Guy.
The first act finishes on a high with Deloris and the nuns belting out the upbeat Take Me to Heaven.
If the first act was all about Deloris, the second act shines a light on some outstanding performances from several individuals, including Rhianon Mone who plays Sister Mary Robert. Watching her transform from a shy, timid, gentle young girl to a confident, determined and fiercely loyal friend to Deloris, she delivers an incredible rendition of The Life I Never Led.
Perhaps the highlight of the second act (arguably the entire show) was the hilarious performance from trio Bryn Hughes (Pablo), James Young (TJ) and Richard Bond (Joey) who thoroughly entertain in Lady in the Long Black Dress, made extra comical with the super-high-pitched Bee Gees style singing. James Young says he has worked on his physicality for the show and this is evident as his comical timing, expressions and body language bring the character to life.
There is a dramatic climax as the nuns unite in sisterly solidarity to protect Deloris, before ending on a high with the upbeat Raise Your Voice, complete with a particularly impressive dance move performed by one of the nuns which is sure to have the audience laughing out loud.
This feel-good, uplifting show is a real triumph and not to be missed. Or, in the words of Deloris, 'Fabulous, Baby'!
Emily Roberts
Cydney, Katie and Kaz talk about their Sister Act Calling
Kaz works in air traffic control. Cydney has a job in a jewellers. Katie’s career is in marketing. But these three women share a passion. You could say it’s a “calling”. For on Monday and Wednesday evenings you’ll find them singing and dancing their hearts out in rehearsals for the nun-tastic musical, Sister Act!
“I’d have happily swept the stage just to be part of this show,” says Katie. “It’s such a feelgood, uplifting musical and when you get everyone singing these gospel-style songs together, the sound in the room is amazing!“
“I love the message of the show,” says Kaz. “It’s all about acceptance and how we’re better for being different.”
Cydney believes Sister Act is a great bonding experience for the women in the cast. “A hundred per cent! We’re all different ages. This is my first show for BATS and everyone’s been so lovely and welcoming.”
The trio, all experienced dancers, have a busy show in store. As well as donning habits as the singing sisters, they also play a variety of other roles, as you’ll see when they take the stage at the Haymarket.
Putting on a show takes time and commitment. Cydney’s been living in Reading, Katie travels in from Wokingham and Kaz has childcare to juggle. But all agree it’s worth it.
Cydney Murray
Katie Schulten
Kaz McCloy
The trio in rehearsal
“You do it because you love it,” says Kaz.
“Totally,” says Katie. “I did a Performing Arts BTEC and have been in 24 hour musicals in Camberley, which were chaos! But this is the first show for a while and I’ve had time to relax and enjoy the process. Our director Louise is fantastic - I’m loving working with her and learning from her.”
“I was in Joseph, Annie and The Wiz when I was a child,” says Cydney. “But this is the first show I’ve done as an adult.”
And she has an admission. “Although I’d heard of Sister Act, I’d never even seen the film! Now I know it, I love it!”
“It’s such a happy show,” says Kaz. “It’s good for all ages and there’s something for everyone. I know it’s going to be fantastic!”
You can see Kaz, Cydney and Katie in six performances of Sister Act, which run from 17 - 21 May at the Haymarket, Basingstoke. Buy tickets online.
Sally’s getting back in the habit to reprise her award-winning role
When Sally Manning played the Mother Superior in our 2015 production of Sister Act, her performance saw her named Best Actress in a Musical at the Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards. Seven years on, she’s thrilled to be reprising the role.
“It was my first lead part and quite scary at the time,” remembers Sally. “But I think I’ve evolved as a person since then, and now understand better who the Mother Superior is. I think my voice has matured as well. But in rehearsals it’s strange how things are coming back to me from before!”
Sally Manning
Much of the fun of Sister Act involves the sparky relationship between the Mother Superior and the sassy nightclub singer Deloris Van Cartier, forced to hide in the convent after witnessing a murder. Deloris is played by Kirsty Kingham. Sally says acting with Kirsty is quite an experience.
“Kirsty and I have been really close friends for many years now but we’ve never performed together! Now we’re performing the leads in my favourite show which is very special to me. Because it’s Kirsty, it’s REALLY hard to stay focused and not to allow myself to burst with laughter - and equally not to get emotional!”
Since 2015 Sally has played several lead roles for BATS as well as directing her first show at the Haymarket, Avenue Q for BATS Next Gen. Later this year, she’ll be directing BATS’ next show, Shrek – The Musical.
Sally as Mother Superior in our 2015 production
“Originally we were due to perform Shrek in 2019 but Covid hit. So I’ve had a lot of preparation time! I love character work, and I’m really looking forward to bringing all those fairytale creatures to the stage. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
Before that though, Sally’s attention is firmly focused on Sister Act – as well as her day job as a job coach at Farnborough College.
“I help teenagers with additional learning needs to find work,” she explains. “I absolutely love being able to help make a difference in their lives.”
“And for me the most important thing about BATS is, you’ve got to have fun! It’s a hobby and people are taking time out of their busy lives to put on a show.”
“I can’t wait to get back on stage at the Haymarket with a great group of friends and bring you the best show we can!”
Six performances of Sister Act run from 17 - 21 May at the Haymarket, Basingstoke. Buy tickets online.
Elf - The Musical Review, November 2021, Deputy Mayor, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
The performance was anything but Amateur from the minute the curtain went up before a packed house. From the outset we were treated to a polished, professional standard evenings’ entertainment that would rival anything to be seen on a London stage.
The impact of the ‘Elves’ performing at the start of the show set the standard with an innovative display that really captured the audience and set the jolly mood that continued all the way to the final curtain call. The story line was probably very familiar to many of the audience, but it was the delivery of this performance with all the clever innuendos of today’s world that set the cheerful atmosphere we all needed after long months of restrictions.
The quality of the direction and choreography by Louise Travis was first rate and together with an enthusiastic and talented cast they really delivered an excellent show. It was only afterward we were told that the two principals on the night were, in fact, the understudies to the main cast members, but you never would have realised. The professionalism of the cast as a team was also evident when Buddy the Elf lost his ‘voice’ when his headset mic failed, and the smooth way he slipped off-stage to resolve the problem was unnoticed by the audience.
A most enjoyable and entertaining evening with plenty of laughs. Well done and thank you BATS!
Councillor Paul Miller (Deputy Mayor) and Mrs Sandra Miller (Deputy Mayoress)
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Elf - The Musical Review, November 2021, Jane Lewis
What a wonderful start to the Christmas season! Every single member of the cast gave a high-energy and excellent performance.
The costumes and choreography were inspired and overall created a wonderful production. Christmas hats off to the cast and crew! A fabulous cameo performance from the hot dog vendor can’t go unmentioned!
The audience thoroughly enjoyed every single minute and f anyone was wavering in their belief of Santa before the show, they were completely SparkleJollyTwinkleJingley when the left!
Jane Lewis