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Next production
Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders, 25th to 27th July, 19:30
Agatha Crusty (pronounced Croosty) is a crime novelist. She's also pretty adept at solving crimes. And when her sister-in-law Alice invites her to spend a few days with her in the village of Chortelby, it's not long before she gets caught up in a series of murders which seem directed at members of the All Saints Village Hall committee.
From Toby, the Vicar, and Eleanor, Chair of the committee, to Harry Knott the caretaker and identical twins Olivia and Oliver Truscott-Pratt, there are plenty of suspects. And with an investigating officer as incompetent as D.I. Twigg, there are plenty of laughs as the murders begin to pile up.
But, while packed full of wit and very funny scenes, this is also a genuine murder mystery with an ingenious plot which will tax the little grey cells of the audience at the same time!
Where
Upper Bucklebury Memorial Hall, RG7 6QH.
Box Office
www.ticketsource.co.uk/katsorguk.
Review of Fiddler on the Roof
15th to 17th February 2024
Review from the Newbury Weekly News.
KATS on top of the roof
Ensemble rise to the challenge with passion and professionalism
Never a company to shy away from a challenge, last week Thatcham’s KATS presented their staging of Stein, Bock and Harnick’s multi-award winning musical Fiddler on the Roof.
Set in a fictional village, just outside Kyiv during the Russian pogroms of 1905, the play centres on Tevye, an impoverished milkman whose faith is challenged by the external forces of modernity and the forthcoming revolution.
With the combined spirits of Zero Mostel and Chaim Topol weighing heavy on his shoulders, David Richardson had big shoes to fill as our Tevye. His interpretation drew out the gentler nature of the patriarch, which was perfect in the more comic and touching moments of the play. This was especially effective in the second half as he and his wife Golde (played with beautiful credibility by Siouxsie Ashmore) had to come to terms with their daughter Chava’s marriage to a Russian gentile.
The three older sisters (Chava, Tzeitel and Hodel) who cause Tevye such strife, shone in their first musical number Matchmaker, which really leapt off the stage. Ceri Lawrence (Chava) and Jenny Woolf (Hodel) both gave engaging performances on the night, portraying complex characters with sensitivity and humour. Fiona Sinsbury was equally commanding as Tzeitel, being the first to cross her father’s insistence on tradition. Her marriage to Motel (played by Billy Wild) was performed with warmth and generosity by the pair, overcoming any awkwardness. Kayleigh Dibble (Yente) and Nick Saunders (Lazar Wolf) provided comic relief with assured professionalism, while Joe Rollinson’s Perchik and Andrew Smith’s Fyedka brought kindness and compassion to their roles.
The company consciously chose to play down the political elements of the original, opting instead to highlight the themes of love and friendship in difficult times. This certainly came across in Mike and Gemma Cole’s thoughtful direction and choreography of this large and enthusiastic community ensemble.
From the well-considered programme notes and the backstage antics on TikTok, to the polished professionalism shown throughout the performance on the night,
KATS’ infectious delight in their work makes them a joy to behold.
TONY TRIGWELL-JONES
Previous productions
Fiddler on the Roof, 15th to 17th February 2024
The Man in Black Presents: Tales for Halloween, 14th October 2023
Modern Time Music Hall, 14th to 16th September 2023. See the review in the archive.
Dick Whittington, 16th to 18th February 2023. See the review in the archive.
On the Way Out, 14th to 16th September 2022
I’m Sorry KATS Haven’t a Clue, 13th October 2021
Ali's Barbers and the Fawlty Sleeves, 20th to 22nd February 2020. See the review in the archive.
KATS presents a 1960s Radio Show, 12th October 2019
The Farndale Avenue Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery, 1st to 3rd August 2019. See the review in the archive.
Spamalot, 21st to 23rd February 2019. See the review in the archive.
Confusions, 26th to 28th July 2018. See the review in the archive.
Alice in Wonderland, 15th to 17th February 2018. See the review in the archive.
Chase Me Up Farndale Avenue, S’il Vous Plait!, 9th to 12th August 2017. See the review in the archive.
West End Showstoppers, 16th to 18th February 2017. See the review in the archive.
Sorry! KATS Haven't a Clue!, 8th October 2016
Alarms and Excursions, 4th to 6th August 2016
A Show To Die For, 17th to 20th February 2016
Titters and Tinsel, 5th December 2015
'Allo 'Allo, 5th to 8th August 2015. See the review in the archive.
Acorn Antiques the Musical, 19th to 21st February 2015. See the review in the archive.
Caramba's Revenge, 7th to 9th August 2014. See the review in the archive.
Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates, 20th to 22nd February 2014. See the review in the archive.
A Variety of Memories, 7th August and 9th to 10th August 2013
Aladdin, 21st to 23rd February 2013. See the review in the archive.
KATS Music Hall, 14th to 18th August 2012. See the review in
the Archive.
Panto Rules, OK!, 16th to 18 February 2012. See
the review in the Archive.
Don't Forget Your Gas Mask!, 27th to 30th July 2011. See
the review in the Archive.
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.