There are worse things she could do...

She’s tough, sarcastic, doesn’t care what others think of her – and gets to sing one of the best songs in the musical Grease - “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”.

“Absolutely gobsmacked,” was Chloe Ballard’s reaction when she won the iconic part of Rizzo, as played by Stockard Channing in the 1978 movie.

Picture of Chloe Ballard rehearsing for Rizzo

Rizzo is the leader of the Pink Ladies, the gang of teenage girls who rule the school at Rydell High, 1959. Her cynical view of the romance between lead characters Danny and Sandy masks her own vulnerability.

“People tell me it’s the best part in the show,” says 21-year-old Chloe. “My mum is over the moon. And my three-year-old niece is really excited - I’ve got her a little jacket so she can be a Pink Lady too!”

It’s Chloe’s debut with BATS but she has long-term friends in the Society. “I shared the role of Sweet Charity at college with Jade Hollingshead, who plays Jan in Grease,” Chloe explains. “I came to see her in Sister Act earlier this year and was blown away by how professional the show was. I really wanted to be part of BATS.”

By day Chloe is a childcare assistant at a nursery in Basingstoke, but she says dealing with excited toddlers is a breeze compared to one previous job. “I was a hotel entertainer in Gran Canaria. I helped run the kids’ club, looked after guests and any spare time was spent rehearsing for the big evening show. I lasted two weeks!”

But Chloe has really risen to the challenge of bringing Rizzo to life. “She’s very different to me – I’m very emotional but she hides her emotions. Rehearsals have been about finding her voice, exploring who she is – and learning some amazing dances!"

“I love performing because what I do on stage can make other people happy, and that makes me happy too. I can’t wait for audiences to see Grease – hopefully they’ll love it!”

Grease runs for nine performances from Thurs 19th - Sat 28th November.

Grease - Promotional Trailer

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.

Hopelessly devoted to football!

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.

Picture of Rhianon Mone

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. 

Sister Act - Promotional Trailer

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.