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An Evening with BATS

Author: Hazel Hole

Information

Date
10th November 2018
Society
Brantham Amateur Theatrical Society
Venue
Brantham Village Hall
Type of Production
Play
Director
Angie Heath,Roberta Lambert,Sophie Mercer

Save The Human, by David Wood

Directed by Angie Heath, assisted by Anna Gleadell ,this was an interesting play featuring the Junior Bats group of mostly under 11 year olds.   The plot was that humans have destroyed their world with wars and pollution and are now inferior to animals who are now in charge. The young cast performed well, albeit rather hesitantly at times. The set was minimal with props eg chairs, table being used to denote set changes. The cast wore masks to show the character they were playing and these were very attractive to see. However, in a few cases the masks muffled the speech so that it was difficult to hear some of the dialogue. In addition, one or two characters were not projecting their voices sufficiently and/or not speaking out to the audience. This play was a good showcase however, for the obvious talent in this junior group some of whom, no doubt, will progress on to the older BATs groups. Well done to all the juniors for an entertaining play.

2. The Brown Felt Hat, by Tony Layten.

Directed by Roberta Lambert this featured the TEENBATS, in a play set in 1940s, in a seaside resort in North England. A mother, Ann played by Rosemary Butler, and her daughter, Beth, played by Georgia Lone, escape from the bombing in Wales and  arrive at her sister, Pat’s hotel to work. Pat , an extremely domineering woman was played very well by Ellie Spates. Sometimes her lines were spoken too fast and we rather lost some of them. Nevertheless, a good performance by Ellie. Other good performances by Charlotte Coultharde-Steer ( Betty, a cheeky maid), Ines Hancock (Gwen ), Maria Jarques (Carol), Faith Arnold, (a very aloof Miss Price) and Shannon Wilde (Teacher) helped this play to move along with plenty of energy. Again a minimal set with tables and chairs used to effect change A strong story with sterling performances. Well done Teenbats

3, Check Please by Jonathan Rand.

Directed by Sophie Mercer, this featured adult BATS. Guy (Ben Cook) and Girl (Lauren Mercer) end their relationship and begin a series of blind dinner dates with both comical and tragic outcomes. Minimal props and set ie tables and chairs and ‘interesting’ costumes by Tina Burns made for an unusual set of dinner dates, some with hilarious endings. The cast of Jaquie Lewis, Mark Hinson, Fiona Morris, Ben Wilkinson, Rosemary Butler and Arjan van Heuvein all doubled up on roles which demanded differing acting skills and interpretations. All performed well and made the transition to different roles quite seamlessly. A polished and enjoyable ending to the evening.  Lighting and sound were provided throughout by Ed Bach and Ian Southgate and added much to the minimal sets.

I look forward to the next production from BATS.

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