KATS |
The KATS web site is at www.kats.org.uk.
Next productions
Sherlock Holmes - The Final Adventure,
3rd to 5th June
The world's greatest detective has seemingly reached the
end of his remarkable career when a case presents itself
that is too tempting to ignore. With Doctor Watson at
his side, Sherlock Holmes pursues first the case, and
then the affections of Miss Adler — and in doing so,
marches right into the lair of Professor Moriarty.
My Fair Lady, 27th to 30th October, at the Corn
Exchange
KATS take what is possibly one of the most well-known musicals of
all time to Newbury Corn Exchange for a colourful evening of song
and dance. Follow Eliza Doolittle as she is transformed from a
cockney flower girl into a duchess by Professor Henry Higgins, and
everything that ensues as she realises that she can be independent
and does not need him.
Where
Kennet School, Stoney Lane, Thatcham.
Box Office
Tickets are obtainable from The Family Bookshop, Thatcham. Tel: 01635 871777, or online at the KATS web site.
Review of Cinderella 2 - After the Ball
18th to 20th February 2010.
Review from the Newbury Weekly News.
Cracking end to seasonKennet Amateur Theatre Society: Cinderella 2 - After the Ball, at Kennet School, Thatcham, from Thursday, February 18 to Saturday, February 20 In a belated, but splendid end to the panto season, KATS presented Cinderella 2 last week. Developed from an original script by Rita and Dave Pocock, it had all the panto elements, plus a whole lot more quirky twists, special effects, voiceovers and pyrotechnics - all adding up to a wonderful night's entertainment for children and adults. Director Karen Richardson had a large and talented cast to work with and the script gave opportunity to use them well. There were many excellent and colourful characters, far too many to commend each one, but congratulations to them all on the strength of their delivery. The main players carried the plot well - to search for the two evil witches bringing gloom to the kingdom, with a host of adventures on the way. Claire Bowden as Prince Charming brought a delightful quality to the role, thigh slapping and heroic, yet with a strong sense of comedy. Jon Lovell as Rumble the ever hungry village idiot, was terrific in his delivery and comic antics. Mike Cole as the hen-pecked Duke of Hazzard amusingly completed the daring trio of adventurers, (although special mention must go to Flash the Wonder Horse; the Benny Hill style video chase was excellently done.) Back home in Court, Ellie Turton as Cinderella waited anxiously. This was a nice portrayal with good vocals and Pippy Wiseman as Red Riding Hood turned in a charming and tuneful performance also. In a twist to the 'Dame' element, the witches were hilariously played by David Richardson (Edna) and Andy Pocock (Ella). Great stuff. Choreographers Claire Bowden and Jon Lovell created some clever and brilliantly executed routines for the whole cast and for the young troupe of dancers. Music was well chosen and up to date, although I am not a fan of the use of backing tracks. I especially liked the ingenious rewriting of the Shrek The Musical: This Is My Story for the finale. There were some clever effects; the invisible actors in the witches' lair and the moving objects, opening doors - all by unseen hands - amazing. Attractive costumes and good lighting all contributed to the overall high production values that ensured KATS delivered another first class pantomime - and not so easy, with an original script. TREVOR DOBSON |
Previous productions
Cinderella 2 - After the Ball, 18th to 20th February 2010
Weekend Breaks and Dinner Plans, 30th July to 1st August 2009
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, 19th to 21st February 2009.
See the review in the Archive.
Moving Pictures, 31st July to 2nd August 2008. See the review in the Archive.
Babes in the Wood, Revisited, 21st to 23rd February 2008. See the review in the Archive.
Oklahoma!, 24th to 27th October 2007
Tiptoe through the Tombstones, 2nd to 4th August 2007
Wild Wild West End, 2nd to 5th May 2007
Arabian Knights the Panto! 15th to 17th February 2007. See the review in
the Archive.
A Murder Mystery, 6th October 2007 in Thatcham Parish Hall
Oklahoma! 26th to 29th July 2006. See the review in the Archive.
A Tomb with a View, 7th to 8th April 2006. See the review in the Archive.
Dick Whittington, 16th to 18th February 2006. See the review in the Archive.
Little Shop of Horrors, 26th to 29th October 2005. See the review in the Archive.
The Truth, 11th to 13th August 2005. See the review in the Archive.
Hercules The Panto, 17th to 19th February 2005. See the review in the Archive.
Little Shop of Horrors, 29th to 31st July 2004. See the review in the Archive.
Five Gold Rings, 19th to 21st February 2004. See the review in the Archive.
Pause for Applause, 19th October 2003
The Slipper and the Rose, 28th to 30th August 2003. See the review in the Archive.
Frankenstein the Panto, 27th February to 1st March 2003. See the review in the Archive.
The Shakespeare Review, 1st to 3rd August and 4th October 2002. See the review in the Archive.
Sleeping Beauty, 14th to 16th February 2002. See the review in the Archive.
Carpe Jugulum, 30th August to 1st September 2001. See the review in the Archive.
Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood, 21st to 24th February 2001. See the review in the Archive.