Bradleigh and Chloe are Rocking the 1980s Bangers

They’re the young couple at the heart of the jukebox musical Rock of Ages, with a string of ‘80s bangers forming the soundtrack to their on-off relationship!

Bradleigh plays Drew

Chloe plays Sherrie

Sherrie Christian is the new girl in Hollywood, an aspiring actress who’s taken under the wing of LA wannabe rock star Drew Boley.

In real life the roles are reversed. Chloe Ballard - who plays Sherrie in the upcoming BATS production - has been a member of the Society for ten years. For Bradleigh Hall, who plays Drew, it’s his first show with BATS.

“I came into the show quite late as I had the lurgy at the first audition, but Chloe’s really made me feel welcome,” says Bradleigh. “She’s amazing - she’s got a brilliant voice.”

Bradleigh studied performing arts at the University of Chichester and now works by day as a laboratory technician.

“At 5pm though the white lab coat comes off and the ‘80s wig goes on!” he laughs.

“Bradleigh is such a lovely addition to the BATS family” says Chloe. “He’s enthusiastic, so willing to learn and just soaks everything up. I’m learning stuff from him too - he’s got some great suggestions for our scenes.”

They’ve even got over the potential embarrassment of their characters sharing a passionate kiss.

“We did it for the first time the other day,” laughs Chloe. “It was a bit scary for both of us - but the rehearsal room is a safe space so we’re over that now!”

Bradleigh and Chloe deliver some powerhouse vocals in Rock of Ages, on hits such as Waiting for a Girl Like You, Harden My Heart and More Than Words.  

“Rehearsing this show, my voice has changed and improved,” says Bradleigh, who’s previously appeared in shows with Andover Musical Theatre Company.

“Before, it was more suited to traditional musicals with big operatic melodies, but now I’m learning new techniques to get that rock sound.”

“They’re big songs to sink your teeth into,” says Chloe. “I grew up listening to them as my Mum and Dad played them. They’re fun and upbeat but also have so much emotional depth. And it feels amazing when you smash those high notes!”

See Chloe and Bradleigh smashing it in Rock of Ages from 13-17 May 2025. Evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Suitable for ages 14 and over.  View show information and book tickets.

Director, Carly Thompson Makes her BATS Christmas Debut

It's been Christmas since July, as we’ve been busy rehearsing Nativity! the Musical, coming to the Haymarket in November, under the guidance of a brand new director, Carly Thompson.

"I love Christmas, and I love working with children, so this is the perfect show for me!" says Carly.

Based on the hit film, Nativity! follows the pupils and teachers at St. Bernadette’s Primary School as they stage their very own musical Nativity, with plenty of hilarity along the way.

Director, Carly Thomson makes her BATS debut with Nativity! The Musical

"It's a beautiful story - wondrous, heartfelt and moving, with fantastic singing and dancing. Every night you'll see our cast of 20 children and 18 adults all fully embracing the festive spirit."

Carly comes to BATS with extensive experience of performing and directing at Oxted in Surrey. Not long after moving to Newbury to 2018, a tumour was found in Carly's spine.

"It was removed safely but there was still a risk of paralysis," she says. "So it took me a couple of years to get involved in theatre again. Then I saw the ad looking for a director for Nativity, and here I am!"

"BATS is a lovely welcoming group, and there's so much talent in the company, it was very hard to choose at the auditions. But now we're well into rehearsals and they're full of laughter, fun and hard work of course!"

The presence of 40 children in the rehearsal room (forming two alternate casts of 20) brings a real energy to proceedings.

"To have the energy and wonder from the kids is a real boost to the adult cast who might arrive stressed from work," laughs Carly, "and of course the discipline of the adults can help manage the exuberance of the small people!"

"It's going to be an experience they'll always remember."

Nativity! the Musical runs at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 26th-30th November 2024. View show information and book tickets.

Adrien Embraces his Crazy and Childish Side as Mr. Poppy

"He's wild, childish and fabulous!"

Adrien Nortier is talking about Mr. Poppy, the teaching assistant he plays in Nativity! The Musical. If you've seen the film you'll know he's one of the most memorable characters in the feelgood family comedy.

"The way he sees the world through the eyes of a child is so refreshing." says Adrien. "Everything makes sense in his head but it can come across as complete nonsense!"

Adrien as Mr Poppy - Performing at the Basingstoke Variety Show, 6 October 2024

Mr. Poppy is Adrien's first main leading role for BATS. He joined the Society 15 years ago after growing up in France. That meant he wasn't familiar with some of the cultural references in Nativity! The Musical. Such as?

"I had to ask who Keith Chegwin was, he wasn't part of my upbringing!"

The kids of St Bernadette's school love Mr. Poppy's unusual ways. But they infuriate grumpy teacher Mr. Maddens, who's been tasked with staging the school's first ever musical nativity.

"Mr. Poppy is the nephew of the headteacher and he's sort of thrown at Mr. Maddens, who feels like he's got another child to look after. But then they become friends and Mr. Poppy makes him realise he can open his heart and have faith in the children."

The perfect message for Christmas then! But what's it been like rehearsing a Christmas show in the height of summer? "A bit surreal, even disturbing at times," laughs Adrien, "But now the nights have drawn in and it's feeling colder, it's a lot easier to conjure up the festive spirit!"

Two teams of twenty children play the loveable pupils of St Bernadette's. "Working with the kids is so much fun. It's lovely watching them do what they do. They're oblivious to how good they actually are. They just make me want to work really hard so I don't let them down."

So - the big question - is Adrien anything like Mr. Poppy? "No! I think I'm quite collected and grown up, not crazy at all! Mr. Poppy is ‘up’ all the time - there's no ‘down’ button! But I'm really enjoying playing this part that is the complete opposite to me!"

Join Adrien and the cast of Nativity! The Musical at the Haymarket, Basingstoke from 26-30 November 2024. View show information and book tickets.

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.