Rent
16 - 20 May 2023
Director and choreographer: Louise Travis
Musical director: Jonathan Eiø
The Haymarket, Basingstoke
Evenings: 7.30pm, Saturday matinee: 2.30pm
Jonathan Larson's multi-award-winning musical, Rent, has become a pop culture phenomenon.
It’s an exuberant, passionate and joyous show following a year in the life of a group of struggling young artists and musicians in New York’s East Village in the mid-1990s.
Roger’s kicked his drugs habit but has yet to finish writing one great song. Mimi’s a nightclub dancer in an on/off relationship with Roger. Tom finds his soulmate in the glorious drag queen Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art, while her partner Joanne wonders if their relationship is worth the effort. Benny sells out his ideals in exchange for a hefty income and moves away from his former group of friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, captures all their lives on camera but feels like an outsider himself.
Rent explores how these young Bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts, with the physical and emotional complications of HIV/AIDS pervading all their lives.
Ultimately, Rent is a powerful and uplifting story of friendship, love, survival and living for today.
Thank you to our sponsors for our charity performance on Tuesday 16 May
Hampshire County Council Councillor Devolved Budgets Funding
County Councillor Stephen Reid (HCC Member for Basingstoke South West), County Councillor Jacky Tustain (HCC Member for Basingstoke North)
Box office tel: 01256 844244
Group bookings tel: 01256 366935
Group bookings email: group.booking@anvilarts.org.uk
Age advisory
The show is recommended for 14 years+
Full price tickets
Tues 16: Sponsored charity performance (not on general sale)
£28.50: Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat evening
£23.50: Sat matinee (no concessions)
Price includes Anvil Arts £3.00 per ticket booking fee
Concessions
Children (16 & under): £5 discount
£23.50 - All performances
Over 65 & Full-time Student: £2 discount
£26.50: Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat evening
£23.50: Sat matinee (no concessions)
Group rate: £1 off full or concessionary price, 10+ people same show (excludes Saturday matinee)
Registered disabled: enquire at the box office
Cast
Mark Cohen
Jack Baldwin
Roger Davis
David Honeywell
Tom Collins
James Young
Benjamin Coffin III
Benedict Kennedy
Angel Dumott Schunard
Tom Boncey
Mimi Marquez
Luannsa Goodman
Maureen Johnson
Jade Williams
Joanne Jefferson
Laura Burrell
Ali (Support Group)
Harriet Brannam
Mr Jefferson, The Pastor
Richard Bond
Sue (Support Group), Police Officer
Aideen Buckley
Alexi Darling
Archie Burbidge-Bence
Blanket Person
Sophie Collins
Gordon (Support Group)
Harrison Crangle
Mrs Marquez
April Fost
Squeegee Lady
Jade Hollingshead
Pam (Support Group)
Emily Hudson
Steve (Support Group)
Maciek Hulme
Mrs Cohen
Sally Manning
The Man, The Waiter
Craig Saunders
Cyndi
Eronwy Selwyn
Mrs Jefferson
Victoria Southgate
Police Officer, Hamish (Support Group)
Ben Waines
Mrs Davis
Chloe Watts
Mr Grey
Colin Webb
Dancers - Richard Bond, Harriet Brannam, Sophie Collins, Jade Hollingshead, Emily Hudson, Victoria Southgate, Chloe Watts
Seasons of Love soloists - April Fost, Jade Hollingshead, Benedict Kennedy, Eronwy Selwyn, Chloe Watts
Support Group - Maciek Hulme, Harrison Crangle, Harriet Brannam, Emily Hudson, Aideen Buckley, Tom Boncey, James Young, Jack Baldwin, Ben Waines
Press Reviews
“Tackling topics like drug abuse, sexuality, homelessness, mental health, and the impact of HIV/AIDS, Rent is a tough musical to master - but BATS have done it justice.”
Megan Stanley, Basingstoke Gazette - Read full review
“For a few hours, they succeeded in making the world outside fade away and I was lost in this beautiful story, beautifully told.”
Leyla Demirel, One Show at a Time - Read full review
“This production offered many such opportunities for the whole cast to demonstrate their boundless enthusiasm and energy, the hallmarks of many a BATS performance.”
Jacqui Ball, Retiring in Style - Read full review
“The acting was overall impressive, and the cast brought the characters to life with conviction.”
Jaz Wilson, It’s All an Act - Read full review
“This was a very polished production from the opening scene to the end… and shows BATS at their very best with core roles for a good number of actors and therefore opportunities for many to shine.”
Chris Horton, National Operatic and Dramatic Society (NODA) - Read full review
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
“Stunning - another amazing BATS production. Was blown away by tonight’s performance”
“It could have been a West End production. Congratulations! You’re a seriously talented bunch.”
“I’m not a theatre goer, but what a fantastic performance. The production was amazing.”
“I was utterly blown away by the incredible talent of the performers. This show made me laugh, cry and feel everything in between. Congratulations to everyone involved - you nailed it!”
Production Photos
Creative team
Director and Choreographer
Louise Travis
Musical Director
Jonathan Eiø
Assistant Director
Ian Moseley
Company Manager
Colin Webb
Assistant Company Manager
Leigh Young
Technical Manager
Anthony Mitchell
Stage Manager
Nick Horsey
Deputy Stage Manager
Alex Frost
Assistant Stage Managers
Matt Harrison, Stuart Baker
Crew Coordinator
Leigh Young
Stage Crew
Sam Baker, Edward Branch, Steve Brannam, Adam Cousin, Mat Southgate, Stuart Walker, Leigh Young
Lighting Design
Myles Waugh-Bacchus, Louise Travis
Lighting Hire
Matt Green
Lighting Operators
Myles Waugh-Bacchus
Follow Spot Operators
Ian ‘Spud’ Smith, Nicki Hawkins
Sound Hire
Daniel Paine - Spinaudio
Sound Design
George Steed - Rise Audio
Sound Engineers
Heidi Burkwood, George Steed
Scenery Hire
Scenery Solutions
Props
Colin Webb, Lucy Tipp
Wardrobe
Judith Ifould, Holly Reedman, Leigh Young
Costumes
BATS Wardrobe
Dressers
Christine Dollery, Teresa Hollingshead
Marketing and Sales Officer
Jade Hollingshead
Marketing and Sales Team
David Allard, Sophie Collins, Bryn Hughes, Amy Jones, Cydney Murray, James Young
Show Photographs
John Sherringham - Front of House Photography
Programme Design
Bryn Hughes and Ryan Stevens - Stevens-Signage
Orchestra
Ed Hewlett (Keys 1), Henry Whitby (Keys 2, Guitar 2), Jonathan Eiø (Keys 3), Dave Yates (Guitar 1), Ben Hacker (Bass Guitar), Robin Johnson (Drums)
Licensing information
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Musical Arrangements Steve Skinner
Original Concept/Additional Lyrics Billy Aronson
Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements Tim Weil
Dramaturg Lynn Thomson
This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.co.uk