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Bookings are for reservation purposes only and should be picked up and paid for on the door, before the performance.
You will be sent an automated email reply. Please check that the BATS email has not been placed in your email junk folder.
To reserve seats please complete the contact boxes below and we will confirm your ticket reservation.
Error: Contact form not found.
Bishopston has entered the world of politics this week with a splendid theatrical production of the popular 80s TV sitcom “Yes, Prime Minister” by Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn. As an avid viewer of the original, I remember a comedy which defined a decade in Thatcher’s Britain, but wondered whether such wonderful political satire of its age would travel well over the several decades which have since passed. However, some effort has been made to modernise proceedings and, as a result, the new offering feels fresh and contemporary. There’s also a fair amount of goings-on that do go on; £10trillion loans, foreign oil pipelines, illegal immigrants, call-girls, Euro Jobs (don’t ask!)… just some of the delights discussed at Chequers. And yet the core message stays as relevant as ever and we realise that Westminster is indeed run by civil servants who lurk in the corridors of power behind their ministerial figureheads.
So we once more get to meet our Prime Minister, the Rt Hon. Jim Hacker, his Permanent Secretary, Sir Humphrey Appleby and his Principal Private Secretary, Bernard Woolley. While Jaimes Cooper was the perfect choice to head the BATS cast as Sir Humphrey, accordingly, under Barry Cooper’s influential direction, Piers Morgan-Harvey turned in a fine performance in bringing a more animated and sometimes manic Jim Hacker to the political table. Piers turns up the heat as the evening progresses and in a very well-played scene his Jim Hacker brilliantly turns the arrogant Jenny Burnham, DG of the BBC (Julie Greenwood), into a nervous wreck by threatening to reduce the BBC’s output to just two radio stations and a single TV channel! In complete control of his output and posture, Jaimes Cooper provided a masterly delivery of Sir Humphrey in perhaps the standout performance of the evening. The perfect ‘politician’ never to sit in parliament, Jaimes oozed the smarmy characteristics of someone who knows exactly how to survive in Westminster. His several lengthy responses that consistently failed to provide any tangible (or understandable) answers to the PM’s direct questions rightly drew the audience’s applause.
Heather Cooper did a reliable job in underplaying the straight and level-headed role of the play as Claire Sutton – Head of the Policy Unit at Number Ten while, in contrast, Roger Bell fully played up to his role as Bernard Woolley. As the only one of the protagonists to even consider moral implications over any political manoeuvring, Sir Humphrey’s ‘sidekick’, who is also answerable to the PM, is probably in the wrong line of work! Kumranistan Ambassador, Stewart Hiorns provided a subtly menacing presence whilst praise must also go to the short but cleverly played out TV interview involving Sarah Govier as Simone Chester, TV presenter.
So all in all a good night out with excellent acting and more than a few laughs. Well done BATS.
Tony Currell
The warm, bustling atmosphere on entering St Teilos church Hall was extra welcome on Friday night as the gusty, winter rain made leaving the house a challenge! However, battling the elements was entirely rewarded by a fantastic performance of ‘Yes Prime Minister’ by Bishopston Amateur Theatrical Society. It was the 4th night in a run of 5, so by now the cast were in full flow and lines delivered slickly with excellent comedy timing. An ambitious play for an amateur society but this was evidently embraced by the Society and an impressive set provided the background at Chequers for a play that was well worth leaving the house for. Catch this play before it finishes and you won’t be disappointed.
P.Smith
Just a brief note to say how much Biddy and I enjoyed Saturday evening. The play was excellent and it was a great idea to do supper beforehand! Many thanks, and congratulations to all concerned. Bob Wigley
Saturday night’s audience packed into St. Teilo’s Church Hall for their fish & chip supper and wine to experience another sensational BATS performance.
The audience were in high spirits and lapped up the masterly performance of the Prime Minister played by Piers Morgan-Harvey. Roger Bell, the Private Secretary to the PM, smooth’s over the cracks with impenetrable Latin taglines and replies to searching questions from the BBC’s press office with formulaic phrases, which everyone loved to hear and knows well! The PM’s Special Policy Advisor, played by Heather Cooper, delivers a wonderfully performance, as well as producing a document that saves the PM’s bacon.
The closing ‘live’ television interview with a female Jeremy Paxman impersonator, played by Sean Cole, puts the PM under pressure… or is it all a show!
Another extraordinary night for all members of BATS and a special thanks to all the front of house team and the Chequer’s kitchen staff.
‘Simply unmissable’ ‘Great audience reaction’ ‘A must-see production’
If the first-night is to be improved on, then this production is plainly a success and simply unmissable. The sell out audience loved it!
The whole cast are exceptionally strong. Sir Humphrey’s lengthy monologues of meaningless political rhetoric were eagerly applauded by the audience. There was the occasional blip to this almost flawless evening of political banter; however have you ever known a Government official be perfect.
Global warming, an Ambassador demanding sexual favours, the commercialism of the BBC, the problem of bailing out Greece, and can it be an illegal immigrant at Chequers! You do not have to have a strong interest in politics to love this show. All works out well in the end, but if you want to find out how you will have to go and see this great local production.
Come to St. Teilo’s Church Hall, The Glebe, Bishopston, get yourself a nice glass of wine, sit back and snigger as you witness the inner workings of a government being conned into joining the Euro. It’s a must see show!
With the first night performance coming very soon, the cast and crew are preparing for another great show. Saturday 21st November is sold out, however seats are still available for other shows. A sneak photograph from the last rehearsal.
There is a special Fish and Chip Supper on Saturday 21st November. As well as watching the political antics on stage, have fish chips and mushy peas, followed by Joe’s Ice cream. Price for the supper is £7.00 per person, plus the cost of the normal seat price.
Click here to book your fish and chips, as well as reserve a seat.
Seats for the ‘Yes, Prime Minister’ production in November 2015 are available. You can email tickets@batsgower.co.uk, or contact Ros on 01792 234663 or 07790 005953. If you would like to reserve your seats on our website please click here.