Stars in the Broadford Amateur Theatrical Society, BATS, hit the stage over the weekend with big voices, big songs and big hair for their latest production, ‘Beehive’.
BATS is a not-for-profit theatre group whose successful run of musical comedy ‘Nunsense’ in July left people eager for another production.
Described by director Shaun Geerlings-Parker as a ‘jukebox musical’, Beehive doesn’t follow a typical plotline but instead delivers 43 back-to-back songs for an hour and 45 minutes of nonstop music.
“It is a musical that’s got all the girl group songs from the 60s and the 70s,” Mr Geerlings-Parker said.
“It is written by quite a close friend of mine, a professional director who actually trained me. I actually own the show, cause when he passed, I was left the show in his will.
“It’s a show that has a fair bit of meaning. It’s great to be able to bring it to the stage in Broadford.”
The show opened on Friday night to an applauding audience.
Beehive stars six leading ladies – Maria Page, Lynda Allen, Kristen May, Florence McKay, Faith Anderson and Alicia Biancon, who each encapsulated passion, spunk and colour in their first four of six performances.
Ms Anderson and Ms Biancon returned to the stage after their standout performances in Nunsense, both wow-ing the audience with their solos, comedic timing and stage presence.
The cast takes on a stellar lineup of girl-power tunes, including Tina Turner’s ‘(Simply) The Best’, Tanya Tucker’s ‘Delta Dawn’, Dusty Springfield’s ‘I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself’, Petula Clark’s ‘Downtown’ and Hairspray’s ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’.
“They’ve worked extremely hard to get this show onto the stage and they all come with a range of skillsets,” Mr Geerlings-Parker said.
Mr Geerlings-Parker has directed back-to-back productions this year, including Nunsense and Whittlesea Secondary College’s Chicago.
To pull the production together in six weeks, the cast was required to learn between five and six dance routines every night at rehearsals.
But it wasn’t just the tight rehearsal schedule that posed the cast an obstacle to being stage-ready on time.
“They’re competing against the wigs as well,” Mr Geerlings-Parker said.
“They’ve all got these wigs that actually weigh a fair bit – they’re all stuffed with bits and pieces to give them that height.
“I think the cast are exhausted but they’re ready for the audience.”
Music-lovers are invited to Broadford Shire Hall for the performance to be seated at tables, allowing guests to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy throughout the night.
Performances continue this Friday and Saturday, commencing at 8pm.
To book tickets, people can visit .
For more information, visit the Broadford Amateur Theatrical Society – BATS Facebook page.
