When it opened off Broadway in 2001, The New York Times said of Bat Boy, “It’s remarkable what this show’s intelligent wit can accomplish”. John Lahr of The New Yorker called it “a giggling cult hit!” and audiences and media across the world went on to rave about the show’s comedic style, tuneful score and engaging plot. The musical has been likened to a mix of My Fair Lady, Phantom of The Opera and Rent. The story is universal, of an outcast and his attempted integration with, and vilification by, the local townsfolk.  It may not be a show you recognize by name but it is certain to be one that will grip your imagination so don’t feel you have to come prepared – just come and experience “Bat Boy The Musical” and enjoy a terrific night out.

Performances run Tuesdays to Fridays from May 29th through June 8th. The performance starts at 7.30pm and tickets are just 5KD per person.

You can book online using the form below from today or call the box office to reserve your seats on 99373-678 from May 1st. Tickets will sell out quickly so BOOK EARLY!

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Watch this space! Bat Boy the Musical is coming to KLT at the end of MAY and it promises to be a frighteningly good evening!

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It’s that time again – AUDITIONS – and this year it’s out with the high school musicals and in with a tale that’s got a real bite!

Bat Boy is a hysterically funny, yet dark musical that tells the tale of the discovery of a half boy, half bat creature and the impact he has on the townsfolk and families that he comes into contact with.

It became a big hit off Broadway in 2001 and transferred to The Shaftesbury theatre in London’s West End in 2004.

With a score that mixes Blood Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors and Godspell it is full of wonderful melody, a witty  script and one helluva good story.

Casting will be this Friday (16th March) at the theatre between 2pm and 6pm. Please arrive promptly at 2pm.

You will be asked to learn  and sing something from the show. Please also bring your own number to show off your vocal range – with piano notes or a backing track. There will also be some movement and script reading during the audition.

We look forward to seeing you there! Please spread the word as we want the best pool of talent for this exciting project.

(Performance Dates will be May 28th – June 8th)

If you have any questions please contact the director, Tim Waddell, using the form below.

We are casting for:

Doubling

The musical is written for a cast of ten people to play all twenty-two roles. Except for the actors playing Bat Boy, Meredith, Dr. Parker and Shelley, every cast member plays multiple roles, including at least one of the opposite gender. The cast breakdown is usually thus:

• Sheriff Reynolds/Delia (male actor)
• Rick Taylor/Lorraine/Mr. Dillon (male actor)
• Ron Taylor/Maggie/Clem (female actor)
• Ruthie Taylor/Ned (female actor)
• Mrs. Taylor/Roy/Reverend Billy Hightower/Institute Man (male actor)
• Daisy/Bud/Pan/Doctor (male actor)

The actual break up of characters in the KLT cast will be decided following auditions

Contact the Director

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Spending a Wednesday night down at the KLT is always a pleasure and last night was not so different!  Arsenic and Old Lace opened to an almost full house last night and was generally entertaining from start to finish despite the usual blunders that come from first night jitters.

The show opened in the Brewster family home where Martha (Sharon Williams) and Abby (Pamela Bruce) live the seemingly normal life of spinster sisters who are taking care of their fanatical and hilarious nephew Teddy (Hassan Rawas).

Williams is a long time veteran of the KLT stage and seemed flawlessly comfortable in her role.  Her perfect sense of timing assisted the flow of the show. The chemistry between Williams and Bruce worked wonderfully on the stage and both actresses were enjoyable to watch interact with the assortment of other interesting characters not least Hassan Rawas, as Teddy, who brought huge energy to the stage and raised many a smile as he “charged” from room to room.

Mortimer and Johnathan (Matt Aston and Elhusain Elsharif) both held their own and came to the stage with their usual wit and charm as nephews of the Brewster Aunts. At times however some of the acting was almost too pantomime for the classic script, and a little less might have produced a little more.

Other characters who added humor and unique character work throughout the show included Police Woman (Connie Rudd), Dr. Einstein (Mike Blackburn) and the Police Chief (Andrew Batty).  Also worth a mention was newcomer Petra Patty who played the role of Elaine Harper with flare and wholehearted commitment that lit up the stage at the beginning of the show.

Set, costumes and props looked beautiful at first glance but establishing the time period was a little confusing between the Victorian gowns of the elderly aunts and the modern suits, police  uniforms and electric lighters used by Jonathan and Dr. Einstein. Maybe director, Annike Jones, was trying to avoid any specific time period but the awkward juxtaposition at times broke the magic of theatre and reminded us we were watching an amateur playhouse.

It was other technical elements of the show that most affected the ebb and flow of the performance. Missed and mixed up lighting and sound cues left the audience watching set changes, ruined the illusion of time, or had cast and crew reacting like deer caught in headlights! “Ring Ring!”

Arsenic and Old Lace is a great script, with many unexpected twists, and as expected its timeless appeal still had audiences chuckling along. Although hindered by some technical errors and mixed up lines, the audience appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly,  whether laughing at Teddy’s odd behavior or enjoying Mortimer’s dumbfounded shock.

Sadly, in my row, the second act had a few fewer audience members than the first, a reminder that swift set changes and tight running times (act one was a long 1 hour, twenty minutes) always benefit a play. Those that stayed, though, were treated to an entertaining (and short) rest of the evening.

Reviewed by Artemis

Take for example these three versions of a scene from last year’s panto, Dick Whittington.

“After surviving the shipwreck Dame Sarah the Cook and Jack go off into the audience to pilfer some sweets to keep them going.” What happened next was anyone’s guess….

Night One – Walkers Crips

Night Two – Cola Bottles

Night Three – The Bag of Skittles

Become part of the magic!

Join us for our next production, on or off stage and discover the joy of live performance.

Greg Dunlop and Jemma Standen

KLT’s first ever Show Choir performance took to the stage this week and the choir in question certainly proved they had the chops.

Directed by, and starring, Kristen Falcioni and Stephen Grimes, the production set out to weave together 30+ popular chart songs  from decades past into a ‘musical’ event that along the way told a love story – or four

During the course of the two and a quarter hour show, Daphne, the Gleek, (Kristen Falcioni) falls for the new gleek in town, Nathan (Yousef Al Nasser). Jessie, (Gregory Dunlop) one of the class jocks, gives in to his uncool feelings towards Hannah (Jemma Standen), the class nerd. Rick, (Stephen Grimes) the class lotahrio finally settles down with cheerleader Carla (Karen Siemers) and the track-suited cheer coach (Kimberly Grayce Lewis) falls for –  and then dies on –  Mr. Brewster (Mike Ricketts) the English teacher.

Stephen Grimes and Karen Siemers

Plot wise it was maybe a little too much to try and weave between thirty musical numbers and at times the dialogue linking the musical numbers was a little strained. But, where the acting and script writing fell short, the singing and choreography certainly made up, and with some first rate numbers the audience were soon clapping along and whooping in appreciation.

The opening chorus number, ‘Somebody to Love‘, set the musical tone with some well placed harmonies and clever sectioning of the lead vocal. The movement was subtle and effective and, in the glare of the on stage lights, (a nice touch from KLT, mirroring the Glee TV show stage theatrics), the number raised to a climactic end that left the audience charged, excited and ready for more.

Mike Ricketts and Kimberly Lewis

All in all, there were no overtly weak moments in the whole production, however, some voices clearly stood out above the rest. Newcomers Karen Siemers and Rasgito Salas delivered some stellar sounds. The former’s lead in the duet with Jemma Standen a melodic highlight, as was Rasgito’s acoustic version of ‘Let It Be’ in the funeral scene.

KLT regulars Stephen Grimes and Greg Dunlop also showed that they have strong male voices, something the KLT has missed for a number of years, notably in their ‘karaoke’ duet. And Kimberley Grayce Lewis continued a strong season with an energetic Beyonce number as well as some power ballads that left you wishing a different character could have been culled from the script in Act Two.

Yousef Al Nasser and Kristen Falcioni

Other stand out numbers included a mash up of ‘It’s My Life / Confessions’ and a clever exam room staging of  ‘Under Pressure’ as well as a toe tapping, hand clapping finale incorporating the show choir staple, ‘Don’t Stop Believing‘.

Using nothing but black curtains, some simple but well color-coordinated  costuming and good use of lights, ’Love Story’ certainly achieved what it set out to do: to create an entertaining musical evening using popular song (as opposed to broadway hits that has oft been the format at KLT). It showcased a wealth of vocal talent that shone admirably through the, at times inefficient, KLT sound system, to produce a hugely enjoyable evening for all who attended.

- Artemis -

The full show in pictures will be available soon – shot by KLT’s master photographer Dhari Al Fozan. Enjoy the below video snippet of the opening number.

Book now using the form below or call the box office on 99-373-678

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The Arsenic team are looking for crew to help out on their show. Whatever skills you may possess the most important one is enthusiasm – though seamstresses and make up ladies (or gents) are exceedingly welcome.

Please use the form below to contact the director, Annike Jones, and volunteer – or find out more about how you can help.

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Bookings for Arsenic and Old Lace are also now open online ONLY (phone bookings open after Vocal Rhapsody’s Love Story on February 18th.

Book Now at: http://www.TheKLT.com/booknow/