OK, hang loose everybody! Here's our usual pre-show peek of the cast in rehearsal for Grease, to be performed at the Haymarket (Basingstoke) from 19 - 28 November 2015.
Click on the frame below to start the video. To watch in full screen, click the square frame icon in the bottom right-hand corner once the video is running.
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.
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.
Watch members of the cast in rehearsal for our production of Sister Act, to be performed at the Haymarket from 12 - 16 May 2015.
Click on the frame below to start the video. To watch in full screen, click the square frame icon in the bottom right-hand corner once the video is running.
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.
“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.
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.
“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.
