Ian “Spud” Smith plays The Pharaoh

“I’ve missed it – big time!” Ian Smith, known universally as Spud, is speaking about his return to the stage in the show-stopping role of the Elvis-like Pharaoh in BATS’ production of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Ian ‘Spud’ Smith

Spud joined BATS in 1997 for Me and My Girl and has been involved in 47 shows since, playing roles like Bill Sikes in Oliver!, Jud Fry in Oklahoma! and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, as well as working backstage. But Joseph is the first time he’s been in front of an audience for a while.

“I had some health challenges,” Spud explains. “And if I was going to come back it had to be a part I really wanted to do. Years ago I was stage manager when BATS Next Gen (our sister Society) did Joseph, and I thought it would be a lovely show to do if it was ever available for adult groups to perform.”

What clinched it for Spud was his son Ruben being cast as one of the children’s choir in the current BATS production.

“If he wanted to do it – I wanted to do it,” says Spud. “And so far I’ve been to every rehearsal. I love watching it all come together, plus it’s useful as I can stand in for people if they’re absent.”

The night before we spoke, Spud had performed Pharaoh’s song Elvis-style with the cast for the very first time. How did it go?

“I gave it about 75%,” says Spud modestly. “You’d have to ask everyone else what they thought of it!”

Spud as Cowardly Lion in our production of The Wizard of Oz, November 2014

And just like Elvis’s glorious Las Vegas comeback in the ‘70’s, Spud’s comeback to BATS promises to be a memorable occasion!

“Apparently, I’m wearing the Elvis jumpsuit,” says Spud of his costume. “And after wearing a very figure-hugging outfit as the gold egg whisk in Beauty and the Beast back in 2010, it holds no fear!”

See Spud in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 14-19 November 2023. Book tickets online.

Not One, but Three Narrators for Joseph!

“Strange as it seems, there’s been a lot of crazy dreams…” Tingles run down the spine as three female singers harmonise beautifully in a lovely moment from Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat. The voices belong to Kirsty Kingham, Laura Newborough and Eronwy Selwyn, who play the three Narrators in BATS’ production.

Wait a minute - three? Wasn’t there just one in the original show?

“There aren’t that many female roles in Joseph,” says Laura, “so this casting choice gives more opportunities. Our director Louise Travis made us all sing together in the audition. We had to harmonise on the line “letting out a mighty roar!” and when she heard that she gave us all the part!”

Sharing the role doesn’t mean it’s one-third of the work for each of them though!

“We’re all on stage, all the time, interacting with the other characters and of course we’ve been working out new harmonies,” says Laura.

“Plus trying to remember which lines I DON’T sing,” adds Eronwy, “which is quite difficult when you’re used to singing along to the single narrator on the soundtrack recording!”

Kirsty’s bugbear has been learning the correct order of the 29 colours in the song about Joseph’s titular coat.

“Laura and I made up a story behind the colours and drew pictures so I could visualise it. It starts with the sun which is red and yellow - then comes down to earth, which is green and brown, and so on. It seems to be working!”

Kirsty Kingham

Laura Newborough

Eronwy Selwyn

How would each of the narrators describe the others?

“We’re definitely very different personalities!” says Eronwy.

“Eronwy is the powerhouse belter!” offers Laura. “Kirsty is more of a drama queen who can’t help hogging centre stage!”

“Except when it’s a dance number when I make sure Eronwy’s in the middle!” laughs Kirsty. “And for me, Laura is the Hermione Grainger of the narrators, trying to keep me in check! I’m in awe of them both!”

Being in Joseph is a “crazy dream” for all three performers.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to says “I love Joseph” because it reminds them of their childhood,” says Laura. “A lot of them saw Jason Donovan, or Donny Osmond in the film, or more recently Lee Mead or Jac Yarrow.”

“It’s the first show I was taken to see when I was six months old - it was my sister’s school production,” says Eronwy. “And I have very fond memories of seeing it with my Dad - I remember him dancing in the aisles during the Joseph Megamix!”

“It’s just so colourful! The music is really catchy, in lots of different styles, it’s funny, it’s loved by all generations and certainly for me, it’s a show that brings families together.”

See Kirsty, Laura and Eronwy in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 14-19 November 2023. Book tickets online.

Rent Review, May 2023 - NODA

SET AND PROPERTIES: The set, a multi level steel structure, was practical and made good use of the space; part of the upper level housed the orchestra. Tables were moved around and used in various scenes. Props were well used – even the candles which can be notoriously badly behaved in live theatre!

THE PROGRAMME: The programme was in A4 format, glossy and gave clear and interesting information about the production, background and planning with photos and information about the cast. There was a Chairman’s message as well as information about their future production and how to get involved with the group.

COSTUMES: The costumes were many and impressive ranging from Angels’ outrageous drag outfits to the cow costume for Maureen’s avant-garde performance in ‘Hey Diddle Diddle’. The Bohemians were dressed relevant to the period and location.

LIGHTING AND SOUND: The lighting was effective throughout, well controlled and varied in accordance with the nature of the emotion in the scenes such as gloomy lighting when there was an air of desperation or lighter and more colourful when the mood and musical numbers were more upbeat. The sound from the orchestra was first class and the voices were clear and blended well with the level of the music. There was clever ‘miming’ when a guitarist in the orchestra played but gave the impression that the actor was the one strumming. The music throughout was of the highest calibre.

THE PRODUCTION: This was a very polished production from the opening scene to the end when the characters reflect on living life in the moment and cherishing the time they have left. The message of the show was evident from the energy and commitment of the performers. There were some stellar solos as well as ensemble performances: Angel’s high energy and phenomenal entrance was amazing and Maureen’s Tango being just two of the highlights. Everyone was totally engaged and absorbed into their characters and this was complemented by the excellent live music. BATS have performed many shows and this production shows BATS at their very best with core roles for a good number of actors and therefore opportunities for many to shine. The direction, music and technical and creative team worked hard to ensure the success of this vibrant, sometimes sombre and thought provoking show. 

Chris Horton
District 14 Regional Representative
National Operatic and Dramatic Society (NODA)

Joseph adult 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 our production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, here is the information you need about auditions.

 The show will be performed at The Haymarket in Basingstoke from Tues 14 – Sun 19 November.

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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.

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Welcome talk

It is not mandatory to attend in order to audition:
Date: Wed 28 June: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

Pre-audition workshops

You'll need to attend at least one pre-audition workshop to practise singing with the musical director and be taught the audition dance for ensemble or dancers. You do not need to register to attend a pre-audition workshop. Though you’ll need to pre-book for an individual singing slot with the MD (see below).

Dates: Mon 3, Wed 5, Mon 10 and Wed 12 July

Timetable: Each pre-audition session will follow the same format:
7.30pm - 8.00pm - Ensemble singing (Jonathan)
8.00pm - 10.00pm - Individual singing 10 min slots* (Jonathan)
8.00pm - 9.00pm - Ensemble dance (Louise)
9.00pm - 10.00pm - Dancers dance (Luannsa) / Louise available to answer questions
*Individual singing slots = 1 per person. Book via Leigh Young at the first session on 3 July or at other sessions

Venue: Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT

Auditions

The online audition form must be submitted by 11.00pm on Monday 10 July.

Date: Sat 15 July: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Venue: Market Chambers, Performers Together, Church Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7QE

Date: Sun 16 Jul: 9.00am - 5.00pm
Venue: Ramsdell Village Hall, Baughurst Road, Tadley, RG26 5RA

Performance Fee

If you are successfully cast in the show, a performance fee of £100 is payable no later than 14 October. You can pay in instalments - just talk to us to request this.

Outline rehearal Schedule

Cast will generally be called for rehearsal every Monday and Wednesday evening and on some Sundays.  View the outline rehearsal schedule.

Joseph child auditions - Information and registration for audition workshop

If you are a parent/guardian of a child and would like them to join us to perform in our production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, here is the information you need about the audition workshop. To be eligible to audition, your child must be at least 7 years old by the audition date and no older than 17 on the last performance.

Seven shows will be performed at The Haymarket in Basingstoke from Tues 14 – Sun 19 November. We will cast two teams of children - one will perform for four shows and the other for three.

We rehearse every Monday and Wednesday evening and on some Sundays. Children will be required to attend the Sunday rehearsals and some Monday and Wednesday evenings (we will aim to finish by 8.30pm when children are called).

View the outline rehearsal schedule to get an idea of the rehearsal commitment. Children must be available for all rehearsals the week before the show, 6 - 12 November.

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AUDITION Workshop INFORMATION

Our fun and informal audition workshops will be run by our very approachable Creative Team: Louise Travis (Director) and Jonathan Eiø (Musical Director). The audition workshop will include singing, dance/movement and speaking. No advance preparation is required. Your child should wear comfortable clothing that they are able to dance in and soft shoes/trainers. The Creative Team will cast children for the show based on the audition workshop.

Date: Sunday 9 July

Times: Two sessions will be run by age group:
Aged 7 - 12 years: 10.00am - 12.00pm
Aged 13 - 17 years: 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Venue: Ramsdell Village Hall, Baughurst Road, Tadley, RG26 5RA

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How to register and pay

Please register your child for the workshop by completing the following by 11pm on Sunday 2 July:

1. Pay the £10 audition workshop fee online.
2. Complete the online workshop audition form.

 
COSTS INVOLVED

We want you to be aware of the costs involved, so that you can make an informed decision before you commit your child to an audition.

Audition: £10 - This covers the cost of the audition workshop and Junior Membership for your child
Performance fee: £50 - Only payable if your child is cast in the show
Additional expenditure: You will be required to provide suitable shoes and leggings for the performance (full details will be provided with costume requirements once the show has been cast)