BATS THEATRE

British American theatrical society

The inception of BATS took place on 4th March 1956, when English speaking members of the Cercle Laetitia Company (CLC) decided to form their own company with the express purpose of performing British and American plays in the English language.

In order to raise the necessary funds, members would 'tour' the local bars and cafes delighting mainly Flemish audiences with impromptu sketches and singing. Within seven weeks of BATS being formed their first play, Murder Without Crime by J. Lee Thomson, was performed on 28th April. It was apparently performed in the auditorium of the, now defunct, General Motors building on the Noorderlaan.

In the early days, BATS productions were performed for one night only, with the exception of the annual pantomime, which usually had three performances. The pantomime first appeared at the end of 1958 and was very often written by club members; Philip King being the most prolific writer of that decade with four shows to his name. On the directing front, Vic Hewitt, Bill Wright, David Henderson, Norie Humphries and John Lewis were noticeably prominent, and the directing debuts of two current, long-standing members were made - Jo Royen taking charge of "We Must Kill Toni" by Ian Stuart Black in February 1960, and Paul Roche with "Out of the Crocodile" by Giles Cooper in October 1965.

Pantomime

Pantomimes are embedded in British culture and are considered a "must" for many British families for tradition and laughs. Pantomime is anything but a "mime" as the name may suggest. Instead, it's a loud, fun, enjoyable musical comedy theatre production. It takes well-loved children's classic tales like Cinderella, Snow White, Dick Whittington, Aladdin and turns them into a show full of giggles for kids and plenty of laughs for adults too with those subtle adult-minded jokes. Audience participation is greatly encouraged.

Pantomime (or just "panto") gets its roots from 15th and 16th-century traditions of Commedia dell Arte, an early form of Italian theatre. The "formula" for those productions are the same for British pantomime.

The main male role is often played by a woman.
A "Panto Dame" is a man in drag.
There is always a sidekick of some sort as well!
There is a comedic animal involved, as for the cow in Jack and the Beanstalk.
Although the stories may be classics, the jokes are always contemporary so that they are understood by the modern.
Finally, what makes the panto is audience participation.

It was the Victorians that turned the show into two halves: the fairy tale and harlequinade where the characters "transform" with the use of a magic wand. The usage of trap doors and secret switches dazzled Victorian audiences and is still loved by children today.

LOCATION

Paardenmarkt 111, 2000 Antwerp
theatre@batsantwerp.be

https://www.batsantwerp.be/

ACTIVITIY FOR PUPILS

READ ME

Re-enact a scene from a well-loved children's classic tales like Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin or one of your choice in front of the theatre.

Choose a tale: Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Aladdin, Jack and the beanstalk ...
1 student films the scene and is also the narrator in the scene.
Other students all have a role in the play.
The video should not be longer than 3 minutes.
Submit the video to the Actionbound.
Keep in mind, that at the end of the tour the rest of the class will judge your performance!

Have fun!

SCAN ME

ACTIVITY FOR STUDENTS

READ ME

Create your own pantomime! Look for inspiration at well-loved children's classic tales like Cinderella, Snow White ... and make modern version of the tale!

Choose a tale.
Create a modern version of the tale or reinvent it.
1 student films the scene and is also the narrator in the scene.
Other students all have a role in the play
The video should not be longer than 3 minutes.
Submit the video to the Actionbound.
Keep in mind, that at the end of the tour the rest of the class will judge your performance!

Have fun!