Audition workshops will be held on Mon 9 and Wed 11 August to cast all of the children’s roles for our production of Elf - The Musical.
We are looking to cast four children to share performing two roles:
Michael or Michaela Hobbs - playing age 10+ (max 13 years old)
Ensemble child - playing age 10+ (max 14 years old)
Does your child like Christmas?
Then they should come along and audition!
Lockdowns and social distancing measures have been part of our daily lives for longer than any of us perhaps imagined - our last production in November 2019 feels like an awfully long time ago! With the prospect of life returning to a ‘new normal’, we have come together again virtually to sing our hearts out in From Now On - a powerhouse anthem that looks forward to better times ahead.
Originally from The Greatest Showman, From Now On (Pasek & Paul) is performed at the moment in the film when P.T. Barnum and his company are at their lowest, having have lost everything when his museum was razed to the ground by fire.
As we actively prepare to start rehearsals for our Autumn 2021 production, it seemed a perfect choice to create our own version of From Now On, again with our great friend Jonathan Eiø at the helm.
“From now on, These eyes will not be blinded by the lights
From now on, What’s waited ‘til tomorrow starts tonight
Tonight”
Click to watch From Now On on YouTube
Credits to RHJ Entertainment who musically directed, mixed and produced our From Now On video:
Plans for auditions and rehearsals are underway for our return to the Haymarket in November 2021 with Elf – The Musical.
It will be feast for the eyes and ears for whole family! Watch out for updates in the coming months. We very much hope that you’ll be able to join us when we return ‘home’.
Covid. Lockdowns. Theatres closed for over a year. Having re-scheduled our productions we are longing to back onstage with our friends and entertain you. We are honoured to have worked with Spotlight UK to co-create a campaign video that reflects mental health challenges faced by young people.
Louisa Riley, founder of the charity’s ‘Body Positivity Campaign’ approached us with the idea. She’d seen our first fundraising video that we did in lockdown (You Will Be Found) and asked if we would work with her on a campaign to tell her story and mark Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16 May 2021).
Louisa has struggled with her own mental health for years and often faced problems getting the vital support that she needed. Through this video, she wanted to use the trauma from her own past to help others.
We are proud to have worked on this project, whilst doing something that we love, performing!
Please share this powerful video and make a donation to help Spotlight provide vital services to help people like Louisa.
Introducing True Colours. 🌈
“For anyone who is walking a terrifying lonely path. I want to reach out and remind them that no matter how far gone they believe they are or how lonely they feel that I am listening. This campaign pulled me out of that treacherous place, and I realised that I needed to use my hurt, my trauma, and my damage to make a difference.”
Watch the True Colours video
About Spotlight
Spotlight UK provides mental health support to young people by building confidence, self-esteem and resilience. Activities include mentoring, counselling, their sports academy, dance classes, Youth Social Action Support and mentoring in schools, as well as other services across Basingstoke, Reading, Newbury, Hart and Rushmoor and Portsmouth.
Spotlight UK Registered Charity Number: 1129258
The Government’s current roadmap indicates that all leisure activities, including live performances should be possible from the end of July onwards. We are therefore moving ahead with plans for our production of Elf - The Musical in November.
If you are thinking of auditioning for the show, download the full rehearsal schedule. Key pre-audition and audition dates:
Pre-audition Rehearsal Workshops
Mon 28 June (7.30 - 10pm): Intro meeting, learn audition dance and ensemble song
Wed 30 June (7.45 - 10pm): Audition workshop
Mon 5 July (7.30-10pm): Audition workshop: Dance and acting (no singing)
Wed 7 July (7.45-10.15pm) Audition workshop: Singing & dance
Auditions
Sat 10 July (9.30-5.30pm): Principals
Sun 11 July (10.00 - 5.30pm): Ensemble & Supporting roles (and any recalls)
It is with much sadness that we announce that our President, Jim Welling passed away in Basingstoke hospital on the evening of Friday 8 January 2021. Jim, aged 70 was a popular local business owner and theatre performer.
Jim Welling
Jim was the proprietor of Edward James Cutting Rooms hair salon at the Top of Town for 45 years, and was involved with BATS for more than 50. He was the life and soul of the Society from the mid-seventies to the early 2000's and will be remembered for his many outings as panto dame as well as his performances in some of the most iconic roles in musical theatre, including Fagin in Oliver! and Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady.
Jim was also the current President of BATS and behind the scenes, served on the Committee for many years and helped set up the original iteration of BATS’ junior company, Next Gen. He was a mentor to many young performers. He was also a talented wig designer, whose creations graced the stage both locally and around the UK.
Jim as Fagin in Oliver!, May 2004. He previously played the role in 1993
Jim as Professor Higgins, November 2009
Jim was born Edward James Welling. He was the youngest of four children, born to Vera and Jack Welling, a former Mayor of Basingstoke. He grew up in Hannington and attended Hilsea College. Jim became an apprentice hairdresser at the age of 17 and set up his own salon in Winchester Street in 1975. He gave generations of young stylists their first opportunity in the industry.
Jim loved to travel and made friends all over the world, especially in California, while back home he was always the life and soul of any party and a hugely generous and supportive friend to many.
Jim was admitted to hospital before Christmas after sustaining a back injury in a fall at home. Whilst in hospital he contracted COVID and sadly succumbed to the dreadful virus. He died just three days after his oldest brother Robert.
He will be hugely missed by his family, former clients, wide circle of friends, and of course his BATS family.
Rest in Peace, Jim.
