Our Autumn Production:
Witness For The Prosecution
Written by Agatha Christie & Directed by Roger Bell

Our Autumn production was once again a great success and we have enjoyed some really positive feedback

What the audience had to say:

I just wanted to say what a great evening we all had! It was a long play, with 4 big parts, but the acting throughout was excellent, and  very well supported by all those ‘behind the scenes’ as it were. And I don’t think any of us saw the twists and turns at the end! Patrons

It was EXCELLENT; you should all be very proud. I’m reminded of how many very good actors we have in BATS, unlike some other am dram groups, and am looking forward to joining you on stage again. The scenery was very good, and cleverly designed, too. SN

We both loved the play. What an ending! What an excellent performance by all the actors. It was very professional. Thank you. Anon

“What a tonic!”

… was my immediate reaction as the curtains closed on the outrageously contrived final scene, but we would expect nothing less of the mistress of mystery Agatha Christie! Like many people at this time of year, when the days are shorter and darker, Christmas approaching like a train! with work/family/social dramas coming at us from all directions, the positive drama we need is definitely a big dose of BATS tonic! From the opening scene of reassuring old fashioned legal chambers, drawing the audience in to a world of confident [some might say over confident!] professional expertise, we are carried along on a magic carpet of gripping story telling, all the way through to the devastating finale. You guys are just the best!  The scenery and props, whilst maybe not as demanding as in some recent productions ! lent great authenticity to proceedings.  Costumes, hair and make-up were all beautifully appropriate representations of 1950’s styles. Always difficult to single out individual performances, when I know every single cast member has put in hours and hours of rehearsal time, and the supporting cast are as vital as the leads, every one had clearly invested in bringing a convincing authentic character to their role.  For sheer stamina Steve S. and Jaimes have to be congratulated.  Sam’s Greta was so lovely I wanted her to make me a cup of tea! And following hot on the heels of her distinctive Miss Prism, Kay’s Dr. Wyatt was especially engaging.  There was much hilarity in the script, some tucked away discretely and some less subtle: I loved Emily’s bold interpretation of a sobbing QC! But the punch lines came for me from the facial expressions of Marcus and Wendy! Both of them were sensational (with the ball and off the ball as we say in football!) when speaking and when just being on stage! Particular thanks to Barry and Julie for coming out of retirement …  …. again?! And many congratulations to Roger [alter ego Alan Bennett?!] for a very successful directing debut. And SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE ON STAGE AND OFF for a truly wonderful evening of escapism and a massive boost of joy to our spirits! CBC

Our Spring Production:
The Importance of Being Earnest
Written by Oscar Wilde & Directed by Sarah Joiner

“A Trivial Play for Serious People!” is how Oscar Wilde famously described his most popular play.   Directed by Sarah Joiner

First performed in 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest, has been entertaining savvy audiences for the past 129 years! This romantic comedy follows the escapades of two bachelors, John ‘Jack’ Worthing, and Algernon ‘Algy’ Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives. They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest. The pair struggle to keep up with their own stories and become tangled in a tale of deception, disguise, and misadventure. The elaborate plot ridicules Victorian hypocrisy with some of the best loved, and indeed bizarre, characters to be found on the modern stage. 

Our Autumn Production: The Ladykillers – Directed By Barry Cooper

‘The audience experienced pure indulgence in crazy comical situations with plenty of slapstick thrown in.  The script was delivered with clarity and volume, and is especially funny for those of us familiar with the reputation of Kings Cross in the 50’s and 60’s!!’
BY CBC

Words from our director Karen Penny

Bishopston Amateur Dramatic Society are proud to present Calendar Girls, a play based on the true story of a group of ordinary women from a small Yorkshire Women’s Institute who are inspired to appear nude for a calendar to raise money for charity in memory of one of their husbands.

News of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapely in the Yorkshire Dales. The Calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of newfound fame….

Our local cast have been amazing, all amateurs, many in their first production. They have courageously dispelled any  inhibitions they may have by not not only appearing live on stage in revealing circumstances but have also been willing to appear in our very own charity calendar.

We have produced 250 calendars, the production costs of which have been kindly donated by local businesses and supporters. We are delighted that 100 % of all sales of the calendar will go to three different charities representing “Hearts, Minds and Body”.

These organisations are: Alzheimers Research UK, Cancer Research UK ( a donation to a young man living with bowel cancer who is about to trek around Iceland) and for a defibrillator for Swansea Bay parkrun.

I, like many others have been profoundly affected by the loss of loved ones due to Alzheimers and cancer, and our local parkrun which attracts up to 500 participants weekly will benefit significantly by the presence of a lifesaving defibrillator

“Remembering Winston, Walter, Alfie, Kingsley and Alma. Never forgotten. And especially thinking of my Dad Keith at this very difficult time.”

Karen Penny Page sponsored by Val & Keith Hayward

Voices Beneath the Waves, written by one of our members Sarah Goodall, is available as an audio play. Many of the BATS team have been working hard to produce our first audio play and it is now ready. Please do provide us with your feedback on this historical local story.

The BATS Autumn 2018 production was ‘The Lady in the Van’, written by Alan Bennett and directed by Sian Cole.

Cast members :-
Miss Shepherd – Julie Greenwood
Alan Bennett – Steve Richardson
Alan Bennett 2 – Roger Bell
Mam – Wendy Thomas
Rufus – Barry Cooper
Pauline – Heather Cooper
Social Worker – Helen Gwilliam
Underwood – Stewart Hiorns
Leo Fairchild and Mam’s Doctor – Dave Spear
Lout and Miss Shepherd’s Doctor – Laurence Evans
Interviewer and Ambulance driver – Karen Penny

Sian Cole’s Directors Blog

The rehearsals are going really well and the whole cast are just brilliant! There have been frantic back stage preparations for lighting, sound, props and costumes, and, as always, everyone has worked hard to make this another extraordinary production.The two Alans’ in their matching costumes are just mesmerizing; Miss Shepherd in her old, soiled cloths provides an amazing surly performance; with the rest of the cast adding their own distinctive character to make this a memorable show.

First Night Success

For the director, actors, technicians and the support staff, the first night of any show can produce some nervous moments…will I remember my lines, when do I come on stage, I must remember my stage props, etc. However, the first night of this production was just amazing. The two Alans and Miss Shepard delivered brilliant performances. I did notice that several members of the audience provided a standing ovation at the end. Congratulations to everyone at BATS for a wonderful show.

Audience Reviews

‘A polished and professional production ‘
‘Amazing staging and acting especially on such a small stage’
‘Great performances from all the cast’
‘A wonderful rapport between Alan Bennett and Miss Shepherd, both tender and full of humour’
‘Miss Shepherd was mesmerising’
‘How did you get the real Alan Bennett to agree to do this?!’
‘Your lady rivals Dame Maggie Smith!’

‘A polished and professional production ‘
‘Amazing staging and acting especially on such a small stage’
‘Great performances from all the cast’
‘A wonderful rapport between Alan Bennett and Miss Shepherd, both tender and full of humour’
‘Miss Shepherd was mesmerising’
‘How did you get the real Alan Bennett to agree to do this?!’
‘Your lady rivals Dame Maggie Smith!’

Thank you to our wonderful audience for coming to the show.

For the director, actors, technicians and the support staff, the first night of any show can produce some nervous moments…will I remember my lines, when do I come on stage, I must remember my stage props, etc. However, BATS first night of this production was just amazing. The two Alans and Miss Shepard delivered brilliant performances. I did notice that several members of the audience provided a standing ovation at the end. Congratulations to everyone at BATS for a wonderful show.

To celebrate 50 years of BATS, a party was held in September for members past and present and of course our loyal patrons.  Live entertainment was provided by singer  Deano Martini www.deanomartini.com and close up magician Dave Hitchcott www.mellusion.co.uk, with canapés and bubbles to accompany a wonderful birthday cake. Everyone that attended the 50th celebration party had a wonderful time and one of our founding members, Dorothy Morris cut the cake to celebrate this memorable evening.

BATS have provided live theatre to the Gower area for 50 years, a big achievement and one worth celebrating.  The variety of directors over the years has ensured a range of plays have been shown, providing a range of genres for our audiences.

Not one to shy away from challenges our November production is ‘Tom Jones’ with a large cast, many scene changes and props. The play is an ambitious one but a perfect way to celebrate 50 years.  Tickets on sale soon.

Last week the Hope Amateur Dramatic Independent Theatre (HADIT) presented a production of “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn. Some of you may be wondering about Hope’s connection with BATS? A look at the following report in The Derbyshire Times will give the answer. Go to http://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-and-comedy/review-feel-the-farce-in-noises-off-1-8517935

David and Carolyn Gawres had contacted BATS earlier this year to see if we could advice them on how to stage a play requiring numerous doors, a window, a balcony and staircase in a small village hall. And the set has to be turned 180º between Acts 1 and 2, and again between Acts 2 and 3! Barry gave them advice based our BATS production in 2006 and I helped by sending David the design of the set  and details of how we turned the set. Some of you may recognise the set shown in the image in the review.

I was very interested to see how HADIT got on so I went up to see their first night last Wednesday. HADIT are a similar sized group to BATS in a similar hall and I was made to feel very welcome. In the programme BATS were thanked “for their generous advice on producing the play on a small stage.” Of course you may be thinking did HADIT give a better performance than BATS? All I can say is they gave an energetic performance which had the audience rocking with laughter and the curtain call was greeted with cheers and applause.

I have been in touch with David since my visit and he tells me another local group who saw their production were impressed and have contacted him as they want to talk to him about how he did the set!

Alan Bailey – Lighting and Sound Dept.