The Beat Goes On

Batley Amateur Thespians delivered a well-supported and thoroughly entertaining evening with their musical revue, The Beat Goes On—a celebration of well-known songs from stage and screen brought to life with colour, confidence, and clear enjoyment from the company.

The show opened vibrantly with the full cast performing Another Op’nin’, Another Show, setting an energetic and unified tone for the evening. Act 1 largely paid homage to the golden age of musicals, with classic numbers performed alongside a handful of modern favourites to give the act variety and pace.

A particular highlight came with This Is the Moment from Jekyll & Hyde, performed by Robert Burns. His heartfelt delivery was matched by an impressive vocal stillness and control, allowing the top notes to ring out with an effortless quality that drew the audience in. Another standout moment was Wilkommen from Cabaret, in which Scott Jeffrey showcased strong characterisation and clear storytelling through song—an engaging performance that captured the spirit of the number.

Remaining in the world of Cabaret, Charlotte Jones and the company dancers offered a visually striking Fosse-inspired routine. Executing the signature style is challenging enough, but adding chairs into the choreography raised the difficulty even further. The dancers handled it with confidence, resulting in a polished and captivating sequence.

Act 1 concluded with a lively medley featuring songs from Barnum, Oliver! and other classic shows—a warm, upbeat finale that sent the audience into the interval with smiles and plenty of energy.

Act 2

Act 2 opened with I Am What I Am, delivered with poise and elegance by Pam Jagger alongside fellow cast members. The number was visually engaging, and particular congratulations must go to those dancing in feathered headdresses—a feat requiring both balance and bravery.

The tempo was taken up several notches with a full-throttle extravaganza of Herod’s Song, performed with exuberance by Frank Hammond, supported by lively backing dancers and singers. This was followed by an enjoyable “show within a show” as the company presented a duo of songs from The Buddy Holly Story—not often performed in revue settings but always a reliable crowd pleaser.

One of the strengths of Batley Amateur Thespians is the diversity of ages within the membership and the clear inclusivity across the company. This was evident in the thoughtful song selections, which played to individual strengths—beautifully demonstrated in Jo Owen’s rendition of Send In The Clowns. A further standout moment came from Rebecca Perks, who delivered a captivating and lyrical dance to I Won’t Send Roses, showcasing both control and expressive movement.

Act 2 concluded on a high with I’m A Believer from Shrek, ensuring the audience left humming the tune and carrying the upbeat atmosphere out into the evening.

Congratulations to Director and Producer Frank Hammond and Choreographer Dominique Hammond for compiling an engaging, varied, and crowd-pleasing show with something for all tastes. The Beat Goes On lived up to its name—joyful, energetic, and full of heart.

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