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Welcome...

...to BATS Next Gen's website - a source for all the information you could ever desire on this amateur musical theatre company, set up for Basingstoke's budding young performers. Our age range is from 7 to 18 years (at time of performance), and we audition for every show. Please note, we are not a drama or dance club - if you are looking to join a weekly class we recommend you check out some of our links on the left-hand side for ideas.

We are self-funding and do not receive any grants or funding from any outside source - all monies made from ticket sales goes back into the company for the next productions. If you would like to support us with a donation, no matter how small, please click on the PayPal DONATE button on the left. We are most grateful - thank you!

If you're looking to find out more about our next show to be performed in Basingstoke, get some inside information on the talent we stage or indeed to find out how to enrol yourself or your children, you've come to the right place!

Our Next Show | News & Events | Important Dates | Previous Show | BATS Next Gen Committee

Our Next Show

To be announced - however we are in discussion about what this will be, so watch this space!

Our past production was the Madness Musical, Our House. For an idea of the standard of our productions, please read the review below which appeared in the Basingstoke Gazette

Reviews of OUR HOUSE

Joanne Mace - Basingstoke Gazette:

JUST as their parent group BATS took a huge step forward with their production of Beauty and the Beast, now BATS NextGen have taken themselves up to the next level with this outstanding show, guided by the expert hand of director Ian ‘Spud’ Smith.

Ian is an exceptionally talented performer who has been on stage with local amateur dramatic companies many times, and said guiding hand (and that of his team) is clear. Right from the off, the performances, staging, props – including an amazing car for, of course, Driving in My Car – music, and costumes feel of a really admirable, professional quality.

This West End musical involves lots of people and lots of songs. We follow the two possible paths of Joe Casey (the brilliant Tom Isted, what a natural!) after he commits a minor crime. One Joe - dressed in black from this point on – runs from the police, one Joe - dressed in white - stays and faces the music.

We see the resultant differing fates of his relationship with girlfriend Sarah (the lovely Dion Hunter, who has an absolutely beautiful voice), his mum (Alex Shulter), his best friends (Craig McKenzie and Joe Alexander), the local hoodlum Reecey (George Hinson) and shady businessman Mr Pressman (Toby Richardson).

He’s watched from beyond the grave by his dad (Josh Wilks), who urges his son not to make the same mistakes he did. And we mustn’t forget to mention BATS Next Gen standout stars Lily Keep and Jade Hollingshead as the ditzy duo Billie and Angie.

All Madness’ hits are here, Wings Of A Dove, Baggy Trousers, It Must Be Love, My Girl and a bright and colourful Our House, cleverly woven into the plot and all are performed with touching emotion, or a joie de vivre that is impossible to resist. Particularly strong is the fizzing Baggy Trousers, during which the cast, clad in school uniforms, are angelic one minute and jumping on desks the next.

The great joy of this show is that it offers many individual chances to shine in addition to the key cast. Conor Egan is very worth watching as he keeps popping up here and there, the chorus of dancers are terrific and Matt McAuley’s Scottish accent is very impressive. I must also give a special mention to Emily Marshall for her wondrous ‘Julie from reception’.

It’s also very funny, properly laugh-out-loud so, and two of its undoubted stars in this respect are the irresistible Craig and Joe, both of whom boast wonderful comic timing.

I mean to pay all involved the highest compliment when I say that I honestly doubt the London production could ever have offered me anything that I didn’t see or hear here. Take a bow, BATS Next Gen, Spud, musical director Rachel Glover, choreographer Kayla Ferris and the rest of the dream team! We eagerly await your next production.

 

KAY ROWANS - NODA

Show Report

The show features songs from the band Madness, and was named after one of their popular hit singles, "Our House”. The story is of Joe Casey, who becomes involved in petty crime and follows different directions in his life. The latent talent of the lead played by Tom Isted was evident throughout. After Joe Casey commits a minor crime the story follows the two possible paths he could travel – one in white, the other in black. His girlfriend Sarah (Dion Hunter) and his Mother, very well played by Alex Shulter, well supported him. From beyond the grave he is watched by his father (Josh Wilks). Lily Keep and Jade Hollingshead, the duo Billy and Angie were exceptional. They maintained their ditsy characters throughout.


This company of young people just overflows with talent. In all areas of the production the calibre of all those involved shone through. The audience were so spell bound throughout the performance that the time sped by. The quality of the choreography was first class and the performance was a study in creative movement throughout. The musicians lead by Rachel Glover created the authentic sound giving the youngsters a superb lead. High praise should go to all those who enable the youngsters to show their talent.

 

Cast List

Auditions were held on Sunday 15th May and, after a very long but rewarding day, the cast was finally announced. Please click here to see the cast list.

News & Events

 

 

2012 - March-ish. Pre-audition workshop and auditions to be held following the announcement of our next show.

 

 

Important Dates

For information on our current and future events, feel free to check out our calendar.

Previous Show

Our House - The Madness Musical

Our House was performed at Queen Mary's Hall, Queen Mary's College, Basingstoke from 26th to 29th October 2011 and included a matinee on the 29th.

The Committee

At our AGM, which this year was held on 21st July 2011, the committee for 2011 - 2012 was elected as follows: