KATS

The KATS web site is at www.kats.org.uk.

Next production

Panto Rules, OK!, 16th to 18 February
In Gameland things are peaceful with the Gamesmaster ruling over the hard working and happy Games. But Roulette is convinced the games of chance are better than the games of skill so she orders her henchmen, Blackjack and Bingo to steal the magical Book of Rules, the source of the Gamesmaster's authority and power. Now the quest is on to get the Book of Rules back. The Gamesmaster’s son Ludo and Dame Solitaire enlist a repentant Bingo to help and together they travel to the Wild West to meet with the Poker Hands to try and find a map to the secret entrance into Roulette’s casino. The Poker Hands kidnap Ludo on Roulette's orders so it is left to Solitaire and Bingo to find the Caves of Blackness, enter the casino, rescue Ludo and get the Book of Rules back.

Box Office

The Family Bookshop, Thatcham. Tel: 01635 871777, or online at the KATS web site.

Review of Don't Forget Your Gas Mask!

27th to 30th July 2011.

Review from the Newbury Weekly News.

Putting on the Blitz Kennet Amateur Theatrical Society: Don't Forget Your Gas Mask, at Bucklebury Memorial Hall, from Wednesday, July 27 to Saturday, July 30 From the moment we arrived at the Bucklebury Memorial Hall car park, a posh lady in 1940s costume told us to 'Get inside quickly to avoid the bombs' - setting the mood and tone for KATS' hugely enjoyable production Don't Forget Your Gas Mask. Written by Trevor Hughes, this show in the old revue style, is an evocation of the British wartime spirit in comedy drama and song. From Chamberlain's chilling Declaration of War announcement, we were taken through many wartime vignettes often funny, sometimes moving and each scene containing appropriate songs from the era. All this was linked with thought provoking voice over narratives. Londoners sheltering from an air raid on an underground station (Puttin' on the Blitz), female war-workers writing to their loved ones overseas (S.WA.L.K) and amusing skits on the days of austerity and rationing were just a few of them. Some of the dialogue sections worked better than others, but the whole effect was splendid. In the second half (After wartime rations; sausage and mash and jelly and ice cream) we were treated to America's 'friendly invasion' (The Yanks are Coming) and Stalag 69 for The, Not So, Great Escape - very funny. In contrast, the drama of war was later movingly reflected in To The Few and The Final Chapter and there was a lovely nostalgic and patriotic flag waving finale of wartime favourites including Land of Hope and Glory which had the audience cheering for more. It was good to see some of the longstanding members back on stage, who, together with the more familiar current membership, created a charming, well staged and delightful entertainment. It is difficult to single out any individual performers, as it was essentially an ensemble piece, but it was all well rehearsed and the singing sections particularly well delivered and ably accompanied by Martin Eggleton at the piano. With some good period costumes and a hall bedecked with wartime posters, a real feel for the period was created. Congratulations to Directors Mike and Mandy Cole and Carrie and Dave Marsh and credit to the tech crew who all provided immaculate back up. TREVOR DOBSON

Previous productions

Don't Forget Your Gas Mask!, 27th to 30th July 2011
Trouble in Pantoland, 24th to 26th February 2011. See the review in the Archive.
My Fair Lady, 27th to 30th October 2010. See the review in the Archive.
Sherlock Holmes - The Final Adventure, 3rd to 5th June 2010. See the review in the Archive.
Cinderella 2 - After the Ball, 18th to 20th February 2010. See the review in the Archive.
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.