Bat Boy : The Musical
Story and Book by Keythe Farley and Brian Flemming, Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe
Wednesday 6th - Saturday 9th July 2016
Theatre Royal, Wakefield
Diva Theatre Company is proud of their production of the critically acclaimed musical "Bat Boy: The Musical" which was presented at the Theatre Royal Wakefield 6 - 9 July 2016. Based on a story in The Weekly World News, Bat Boy is the off-Broadway smash musical comedy/horror show about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave near Hope Falls, West Virginia.
The pointy-eared feral child is adopted by a local family, but their attempts to raise him into a model citizen are hampered by the fearful townspeople who remain unconvinced by his toothy charms.
Bat Boy: The Musical is a playfully gruesome satire that revels in its own weirdness and takes gleeful potshots at the prejudices of Bible-belt America. Bat Boy: The Musical deals with serious themes such as hypocrisy, acceptance, revenge and scapegoating, but often punctures the most serious moments with slapstick, surrealism, camp-horror and irony. Featuring an amazing musical score covering everything from gospel to rock, this moving, hilarious and eccentric show ultimately leaves us questioning how we treat outsiders.
Production Photos
Videos
The Company
Bat Boy (Edgar) ..... Matt Roddis
Meredith Parker .....Charlotte Spowage
Dr Parker ..... Dale Vaughan
Shelley Parker ..... Aimee Good
Sheriff Reynolds ..... Chris Hall
Rick Taylor / Pan / Institute Man ..... Chris Moss
Ruthie Taylor / Daisy..... Hannah Clifford
Ron Taylor / Roy ..... James Preston
Mrs Taylor ..... Alison Gibson
Rev Billie Hightower / Doctor ..... Wendy Chable
Maggie ..... Tracey Clifford
Lorraine ..... Anna Potton
Bud / Dance Captain ..... Laura Hancock
Ned ..... Mark Rogers
Clem .... Marie Wilkinson
Ensemble / Dance Captain .... Amy Lowe
Meredith Parker .....Charlotte Spowage
Dr Parker ..... Dale Vaughan
Shelley Parker ..... Aimee Good
Sheriff Reynolds ..... Chris Hall
Rick Taylor / Pan / Institute Man ..... Chris Moss
Ruthie Taylor / Daisy..... Hannah Clifford
Ron Taylor / Roy ..... James Preston
Mrs Taylor ..... Alison Gibson
Rev Billie Hightower / Doctor ..... Wendy Chable
Maggie ..... Tracey Clifford
Lorraine ..... Anna Potton
Bud / Dance Captain ..... Laura Hancock
Ned ..... Mark Rogers
Clem .... Marie Wilkinson
Ensemble / Dance Captain .... Amy Lowe
Matt Roddis
Dale Vaughan
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Charlotte Spowage
Aimee Good
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Chris Moss
James Preston
Mark Rogers
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Chris Hall
Hannah Clifford
Anna Potton
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Wendy Chable
Tracey Clifford
Amy Lowe
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Alison Gibson
Laura Hancock
Marie Starr
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The Creative Team
Andy Ashley - Director
Andy graduated from Bretton Hall College with a degree in Theatre Acting and subsequently trained as a teacher of Performing Arts, which he still enjoys as his day-job! Andy has enjoyed performing in, directing and working back-stage on numerous productions over the years with a variety of companies in Yorkshire as well as his home town of Chelmsford, Essex. His most memorable roles include: Starbuck in The Rainmaker, Lancelot in The Merchant of Venice, Jemmy in Moll Flanders: The Musical, Yvan in Art, Hobby in Teechers, Sir Foppling Flutter in The Man of Mode and Selwyn in Without Fear or Favour. His most recent performances have included Dave in Full Monty: The Musical, Daddy Warbucks in Annie and Eddie in Sister Act: The Musical. Andy’s directing credits include Stags and Hens, Find Me, Art, High School Musical, Boom Bang-a-bang and various entries at The Shakespeare Schools Festival. Andy directed Hi-de-hi for Acorn Theatre Company and Steel Magnolias for Wakefield Little Theatre last year following two successful runs as Dad in Rita, Sue and Bob Too, which won him the Best Supporting Actor award at The Wakefield Drama Festival in 2014. Andy is co-founder of Diva Theatre Company and he directed their first production "Lucky Sods" which came in third place at the Wakefield Drama Festival 2015.
Matt Symonds - Musical Director
Matt is a Sheffield Music graduate working across Yorkshire with a specialism in Musical Theatre direction and performance. Currently, he works frequently with Manor Operatic Society in Sheffield and Steps Productions in Rotherham, as well as taking on projects with other organisations. As a freelance musician the range of jobs that come up are too diverse to list but it can range from working in schools facilitating choirs to playing the keyboard in huge stadiums - no two days are ever the same! This is his first time working with Diva Theatre Company and his first time working on Bat Boy: The Musical and he is very much looking forward to doing something different!
Joanne Moore - Choreographer
Jo studied at Bretton Hall, Leeds University for a MA Performance Studies with a specialism in choreography. Before this she completed her first class BA Honours degree in Performing Arts at Sunderland University. Professionally she has performed in NYDC dance company whilst studying dance and drama. An experienced choreographer, she specialises in contemporary dance however has many styles to her repertoir. Jo has also produced community dance work raising a lot of money and awareness for charities. Currently working as head of Drama at Silverdale School Sheffield, has allowed her to produce numerous musical and theatrical performances in over 10 years of teaching. Musical choreography and direction includes Little Shop of Horrors, High School Musical, Annie, Grease, Joseph, Bugsey, many Fosse inspired works and choreographing theatrical interpretations of Shakespeare's Tempest and Taming of the Shrew.
Reviews
"The cast sounded outstanding in rehearsals however on such a large stage in such a grand theatre, I was totally blown away! There is not one weak singer amongst the cast, the leads, Matt Roddis (Edgar/Bat Boy) and Aimee Good (Shelley Parker) had exceeded my expectations in rehearsal however, on stage with a live orchestra the pair not only sounded amazing but had fantastic chemistry, whilst seeing them in full costume really brought their characters to life. Matt in particular gave an outstanding performance in what is a rather difficult character to portray, but it was his transition from ‘Bat Boy’ to Edgar that I particularly loved, his mannerisms and over-the-top etiquette soon changed the audiences’ perception of this half boy, half bat creature and it was hard not to fall for Edgar’s charm.
"Dale Vaughan as Dr. Parker was deliciously eerie and sinister showing off the darker side of the role, and I particularly loved his performance of ‘Dance With Me, Darling’ alongside stage wife Meredith (Charlotte Spowage). Vocally it was Charlotte Spowage that gave the most outstanding performance of the evening, although Aimee Good was equally as good, Charlotte’s voice was vocally more mature, and I adored her rendition of ‘Show You a Thing or Two’.
"The choreography (Joanne Moore) was utter perfection, with a wonderful sequin filled performance during ‘Show You a Thing or Two’, which really gave you the urge to want to join in!
"I honestly cannot fault anything with this production other than the fact that a four-day run is not long enough...
It’s bloody…it’s brilliant…it’s Bat Boy. The best bloody musical performed by an amateur theatre company in a long time! You really would be a fool to miss this one! Not surprisingly, the audience was wowed once more and a standing ovation followed suit for the second night in a row."
Read the full article here
Lottie Davis-Browne, North Westend
"Dale Vaughan as Dr. Parker was deliciously eerie and sinister showing off the darker side of the role, and I particularly loved his performance of ‘Dance With Me, Darling’ alongside stage wife Meredith (Charlotte Spowage). Vocally it was Charlotte Spowage that gave the most outstanding performance of the evening, although Aimee Good was equally as good, Charlotte’s voice was vocally more mature, and I adored her rendition of ‘Show You a Thing or Two’.
"The choreography (Joanne Moore) was utter perfection, with a wonderful sequin filled performance during ‘Show You a Thing or Two’, which really gave you the urge to want to join in!
"I honestly cannot fault anything with this production other than the fact that a four-day run is not long enough...
It’s bloody…it’s brilliant…it’s Bat Boy. The best bloody musical performed by an amateur theatre company in a long time! You really would be a fool to miss this one! Not surprisingly, the audience was wowed once more and a standing ovation followed suit for the second night in a row."
Read the full article here
Lottie Davis-Browne, North Westend
"Bat Boy is, I think the most unusual musical production I have visited in the 28 years I have been a NODA Rep. The story about a creature that is half human and half bat is most compelling and I found most absorbing by the finale. It was most enjoyable with wonderfully strong casting in all the major roles as this very different show demands and this production certainly had. The Sheriff (Chris Hall) was indeed a most suitable choice displaying good acting skills as he tries to help the Parker family but not upset the townsfolk. Meredith (Charlotte Spowage) the mother and wife was most convincing as she struggled with her love for the child and dealing with a most frustrated sex starved husband - a very fine singing and acting performance. These same qualities were also displayed by Shelley (Aimee Good) the daughter as she starts to fall in love with Bat Boy as he grows up. Dr. Parker (Dale Vaughan) another truly excellent performance as he has to come to terms with his sexual frustration and his guilty secret as being the boy's father, a very strong performance. But without doubt the star performance of this prodction was Bat Boy Edgar (Matt Roddis), this was truly fantastic by any standards with fine acting and singing and his most amazing agility had to be seen to be believed - a superbly produced performance. All the other roles gave super backing to this production. The sound and good set and the most amazing lighting along with a band that was well controlled did much to enhance what can only be described as a theatrical experience."
Noel Rigg, NODA
Noel Rigg, NODA
"Bat Boy at Wakefield Theatre Royal, weird show, very weird but enjoyable at the same time and brilliantly performed by Diva Theatre Company. Excellent performance by Matthew Roddis as the Bat Boy, his performance was flawless from the start of the show until the end - he was perfect. Matthew Roddis joined with Charlotte Spowage and Aimee Good who taught him how to speak, it was fantastic, both Charlotte and Aimee played brilliantly to get the most out of their respective roles. There was also some very professional performances from Chris Hall, Dale Vaughan and the rest of the cast, who were accompanied by a great band conducted by Matthew Symonds. If you want a great evening of entertainment please go along to see this show in Wakefield - you will not be disaapointed. "
Les Smith, NODA
Les Smith, NODA
Previews
"The musical score is amazing, paired with amazingly talented singers and beautiful choreography, this is going to be a spectacular show not to be missed!"
"Having already fallen in love with this cast based on the vocals I had heard from outside the rehearsal room, I was soon drawn into the story and in awe of the talented cast in front of me. Matt Roddis as Bat Boy/Edgar, is perfectly cast in the role. His movements and mannerisms before he is given the identity and etiquette mannerisms of “Edgar” is on par with the [professional] London casting (Rob Compton) and I kept having to stop focusing on his performance as an individual as I was missing other equally talented cast members!"
Read the full article here
Lottie Davis-Browne, North Westend
"Once again, the vocals were hauntingly sensational, giving me goosebumps on more than one occasion. Aimee Good is flawless as Shelley Parker, the chemistry between her and fellow cast member Matthew Roddis (Bat Boy/Edgar) is believable and I found myself lost in the transition from Shelley’s rejection and hatred towards “Bat Boy” to the pair growing closer moving to watch, and soon the wooden rehearsal room was no longer visible to me and I saw a grand production in full costume in front of me instead. Matthew’s portrayal of this half boy/half creature is to be seen to be believed - his movements, motions and mannerisms in the first few scenes mimic that of a the said fictional creature and is transformation into well-mannered Edgar is fantastic.
Choosing a musical that isn’t a household name so to speak, is always going to be a brave choice, especially in such a small city as Wakefield, however, the cast of Diva have really taken this in their stride and put 100% into their performance. Each and every cast member has put so much time and energy into this production that even after just two rehearsals I have been blown away by the talent of each and every one performing."
Read the full article here
Lottie Davis-Browne, North Westend
"The musical score is amazing, paired with amazingly talented singers and beautiful choreography, this is going to be a spectacular show not to be missed!"
"Having already fallen in love with this cast based on the vocals I had heard from outside the rehearsal room, I was soon drawn into the story and in awe of the talented cast in front of me. Matt Roddis as Bat Boy/Edgar, is perfectly cast in the role. His movements and mannerisms before he is given the identity and etiquette mannerisms of “Edgar” is on par with the [professional] London casting (Rob Compton) and I kept having to stop focusing on his performance as an individual as I was missing other equally talented cast members!"
Read the full article here
Lottie Davis-Browne, North Westend
"Once again, the vocals were hauntingly sensational, giving me goosebumps on more than one occasion. Aimee Good is flawless as Shelley Parker, the chemistry between her and fellow cast member Matthew Roddis (Bat Boy/Edgar) is believable and I found myself lost in the transition from Shelley’s rejection and hatred towards “Bat Boy” to the pair growing closer moving to watch, and soon the wooden rehearsal room was no longer visible to me and I saw a grand production in full costume in front of me instead. Matthew’s portrayal of this half boy/half creature is to be seen to be believed - his movements, motions and mannerisms in the first few scenes mimic that of a the said fictional creature and is transformation into well-mannered Edgar is fantastic.
Choosing a musical that isn’t a household name so to speak, is always going to be a brave choice, especially in such a small city as Wakefield, however, the cast of Diva have really taken this in their stride and put 100% into their performance. Each and every cast member has put so much time and energy into this production that even after just two rehearsals I have been blown away by the talent of each and every one performing."
Read the full article here
Lottie Davis-Browne, North Westend
We are grateful to all those who supported us in in this project
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