Christmas is shining in the distance, approaching at a rapid pace, and what better way to get that holly jolly feeling than a trip to the theatre? This November, BATS (Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society) are bringing the magic of Christmas to the Haymarket Theatre stage with their next show, Nativity the Musical! Running from the 27th to the 30th of November, with a relaxed performance on the 26th, this is one surefire way to get everyone in the family feeling festive. And with all tickets being less than £30…how can you say no?!
BATS have a history of putting on many a wonderful show, most of which I have been fortunate enough to be invited to come along and see and share my thoughts on; should you wish to, here is where you can read what I thought on their productions of On With The Show, RENT, Shrek The Musical and Sister Act. But now, back to the show at present!
For some, Christmas brings a tradition of going to see a show, and now thanks to BATS, that doesn’t mean you have to trek out of town; BATS’ Nativity means you can still have that special feeling of seeing a show, right here in the heart of Basingstoke. Their production is everything you’d expect from a Christmas musical – Christmas is cheesy, cheery and sparkly…therefore the musical matches that. It is jovial, fun and oh so very heartwarming. BATS are still in rehearsals presently, but if the dress run I attended is anything to go by, when those final finishing touches such as set and costumes bring everything together, audiences are in for a real treat.
I won’t share too much detail on the show, as I am attending the finished production for the relaxed performance with my brother next week, and I do believe this is a show to go into and experience the wonder firsthand, but I will share just enough to show how excited I am and why…and why I believe if you’re able to, this show is something to see.
Based on the hit 2009 film starring Martin Freeman, Nativity the Musical is every bit as joyous on stage as it is on screen. The show features the songs known from the movie – you can’t do this show without featuring ‘Sparkle and Shine’! but also the new numbers that were added in when it was adapted for the stage. Whether you’re familiar with the film or not, the show is entertaining for everyone of all ages and has been constructed in a way that you don’t need to have seen the film to see the stage show. So what’s not to like?! Besides this, I feel the theme of a primary school chaotically trying to stage a Christmas musical, with the added pressure of needing to impress Hollywood is something that everyone can at least partly relate to, and is absolutely something that can be universally enjoyed.
BATS’ Nativity the Musical has the energy, enthusiasm, joy and just enough chaos that in the rehearsal room, I was smiling from start to finish. It’s endearing enough to watch a show put on by people who are not paid for this, they are giving up free time in their lives to put on a show to bring smiles to everyone’s faces, and this is made even more admirable and heartwarming when kids are joining in and giving their all too. The cast managed to make me laugh, nearly cry (I’ll save my tears for the finished show!), and I left tapping my feet and eagerly anticipating seeing the finished production next week.
With just 5 shows across 4 days, Nativity the Musical at the Haymarket Theatre is the place to be next week for all the sparkly, shiny, infectious Christmas merriment to get you ready for the festive period.
Tickets are selling fast (no really, they are – I checked!), so if you want a fun night out at the theatre next week, you can get tickets for Nativity the Musical here: https://www.anvilarts.org.uk/events/bats-nativity-the-musical
To find out more about BATS, you can do so here: https://www.bats.net/
One Show at a Time 
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