RENT Programme

Tuesday 5th - Saturday 9th November 2013

If we all test, we can help stop HIV. Join us and find out where to test

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BATH OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY proudly presents...

Book, Music and Lyrics by

Jonathan Larson Directed by PETRA SCHOFIELD

Musical Director PETER BLACKWOOD

Musical Arrangements STEVE SKINNER Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements by TIM WEIL Original Concept/Additional Lyrics BILLY ARONSON Dramaturg LYNN THOMSON RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway

by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop Presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York

Affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association

RENT is entered for the South West Rose Bowl Awards for Amateur Drama and Music

The use of flash photography and/or video and audio recording equipment of any kind is strictly prohibited.

Flashing lights (including strobe lighting) is used during this performance.

WELCOME TO RENT It has been a great challenge to bring this iconic musical to the stage in a short space of time but this great cast have left all inhibitions at home and fully entered into the world that you see before you.

Whist RENT is celebrating a surge in popularity, mainly due to it being the 20th anniversary since the first workshop production was seen in America there is still much be learned. Whilst thankfully in most countries the attitudes to relationships are much more relaxed, the hard truth of homophobia in a modern society remains in countries such as Russia.

RENT is in essence an analysis of love, loyalty and loss regardless of sexuality and it is this that makes it timeless and relevant.

I wanted to link with Terence Higgins Trust to remind ourselves that HIV / AIDS remains with us as a disease. Whilst the virus is now more manageable than the terrible death knell experienced in the 80’s and early 90’s, in 2012 an estimated 2.3 million people were newly infected with AIDS bringing the world wide total to 35m. Over 100,000 people in the UK live with the disease.

Terence Higgins trust is a charity supporting those living with and families affected by the virus and all funds from our collection will remain in the region.

If you find some change in your pocket please donate to their excellent work.

I hope you enjoy the show and find inspiration and hope in the story.

The message is simple, there is “No Day, Like Today.” Live it, enjoy it and share it. Life is a very precious gift.

Thank you for being here tonight.

PETRA SCHOFIELD Director

BODS have been performing for Bath audiences for over 100 years.

We encourage new members and provide opportunities for local talent to perform in Bath. RENT is one in a line of exciting productions BODS are planning to perform over the coming year, the next production being The Witches of Eastwick at the Theatre Royal Bath in April 2014.

My sincere thanks go to our Director Petra Schofield and our Musical Director Peter Blackwood for their tremendous talent, also the production team and cast for bringing this show to fruition. I know the cast have had a lot of fun and have put in a lot of hard work for what promises to be a wonderful night of entertainment.

The Mission Theatre 32 Corn Street Bath BA1 1UF 01225 428600 www.missiontheatre.co.uk

This is the first time BODS have performed at the Mission Theatre and my thanks also go to Ann Garner and her team for their support. Finally my thanks go to you the audience for supporting your local theatre.

JULIETTE COAD BODS Chairman

Jonathan Larson BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS Jonathan Larson received the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for RENT. He also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1994 Richard Rodgers Award for RENT and twice received The Gilman and Gonzales-Falla Theatre Foundation’s Commendation Award.

In 1989 he was granted the Stephen Sondheim Award from American Music Theatre Festival, where he contributed to the musical Sitting on the Edge of the Future. In 1988 he won the Richard Rodgers Development Grant for his rock musical Superbia, which was staged at Playwrights Horizon.

He composed the score for the musical J.P. Morgan Saves the Nation, which was presented by En Garde Arts in 1995 and performed his rock monologue tick, tick... BOOM! at Second Stage Theatre, The Village Gate and New York Theatre Workshop.

In addition to scoring and song writing for Sesame Street, he created music for a number of children’s book-cassettes, including Steven Spielberg’s An American Tail and Land Before Time. He conceived, directed and wrote four original songs for Away We Go!,

a musical video for children.

Other film scores include work for Rolling Stones magazine publisher Jann Wenner.

RENT, his rock opera based on La Boheme, had its world premiere on February 13, 1996 at New York Theatre Workshop.

Mr. Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, ten days before his 36th birthday.

Petra Schofield DIRECTOR Petra grew up in Bath, immersed in local theatre then headed off to London to sing and perform for a time. Following a long association working in production with RUG, Petra moved into a Casting Agency, providing actors for TV, photographic and commercial work; also working alongside James Grant Media group providing support to the personal management agency and their clients.

Following a brief spell running a drama department for children with visual impairment and creating school productions such as Bugsy Malone and Treasure Island; Petra returned to Bath in 2007. Since then Petra has produced and performed with many local companies. Highlights include playing Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd at Theatre Royal Bath, Peppermint Patty in the

NODA winning Snoopy for BODS and appearing with the award winning Encore Northenders.

In 2011 Petra became Production Manager for Music is Life Productions, staging and touring the double award winning new musical The Decent Rogues across the South West and London, then in September 2013 producing the premiere of Pencoweth at The Rondo.

Alongside this Petra runs the Merrimen Theatre Company (youth section) and recently launched the Midsummer Theatre Company which has secured a place on the RSC Open Stages Programme for a large scale community Shakespeare production next summer.

Petra runs her own company Magic Penny Productions, which through school based workshops accesses history through drama.

June 2013 saw a full scale community event to celebrate the centenary of Peasedown St John Primary School at The Prospect Theatre, involving residents aged 7- 100.

Peter Blackwood MUSICAL DIRECTOR Peter, who is from Belfast, has directed the music for over 200 theatre productions.

Although his early training was as a classical pianist, he entered the world of orchestral and choral conducting after studying with George Hurst.

For over 30 years Peter was a teacher and pianist at Bath Spa University and it gives him much pleasure to see so many of the University students, whom he introduced to the Theatre, now themselves working as Musical Directors.

Sadly, but inevitably, Peter has appeared in ‘Casualty’; that is to say that his hands have appeared doubling for those of actors, a role he has been required to fulfil from time to time stemming back to Ken Russell’s The Music Lovers. In film, he has worked as a coach to Jane Seymour and Richard Chamberlain.

His latest television appearance was as a cinema pianist in Torchwood.

This summer, Peter was Musical Director for Don Giovanni which gave eight touring performances in the South West. In January, he directs Jack and the Beanstalk in Bristol. In February, he conducts Kurt Weill’s Street Scene with Bath Opera’s Chorus and Orchestra. In April, he will be at the Theatre Royal Bath for The Witches of Eastwick, directed by Tristan Carter (Collins in RENT).

Rose Lambert ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Rose was born and bred in a quiet village in Yorkshire.

She has performed at The Grand in Leeds, The Alhambra in Bradford and on top of Ilkley

Moor; what you might call ‘a right Yorkshire lass’!

Rose has worked as an actress for Rhema, a Theatre in Education company and is currently working at a local primary school after having recently graduated from Bath Spa University with a degree in drama where she directed Into the Woods.

For BODS, roles include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Yum Yum in The Mikado. She will be performing the role of Rose in Bath Opera’s Street Scene in February. Although Rose can usually be found performing, she has thoroughly enjoyed watching RENT rehearsals from a directorial point of view and helping out backstage.

Lesley Moodie ADDITIONAL CHOREOGRAPHY Lesley started her dance career in Scotland at an early age with Irene Langlands School of Dance, achieving accredited grades in Ballet, Jazz, Modern and Tap with The Royal Academy of Dance and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. Lesley also participated with the Junior Associates programme of the Scottish Ballet.

As well as dance, Lesley also enjoyed Theatre and was a

member of the Falkirk Children’s Theatre for six years, performing in cabarets and pantomimes.

Lesley then went on to study dance and drama at Bath Spa University, choreographing and performing in many productions.

It was whilst at University Lesley got involved with both BODS and BLOG performing at the Theatre Royal in Bath on multiple occasions. After graduating with honours Lesley started teaching for Curtis School of Dance and has been there for almost five years now.

Athony Rapp (Mark) and Adam Pascal (Roger) from the Original Broadway cast.

A week before RENT’s first preview performance Jonathan Larson was sat watching the cast rehearse the song “What You Own” when he collapsed and asked for an ambulance. Fearfully, he told his friends later that he couldn’t believe that the last song he would hear was his own song about dying. He had eaten a burger for lunch - the doctors diagnosed food poisoning. On January 25th 1996, the night before RENT opened, Jonathan attended the final Dress Rehearsal. His roommate found him on the kitchen floor later that evening, Jonathan was 35 years old.

RENT is where Jonathan’s friends feel closest to him. They say it’s like getting to spend three more hours with the playwright. Everyone wonders how a man who didn’t know he was about to die could write a play that seemed to take full account of his own early death.

Jonathan wanted to modernise musical theatre.

He had grown up listening to The Who, Billy Joel

and Elton John - as well as Sondheim. He wanted to make them one and the same thing. That was when he hit on RENT. In 1989, Jonathan met Billy Aronson who wanted to write a musical updating La Boheme, an opera in which Parisian bohemians are afflicted with tuberculosis. The modern equivalent was AIDS, something which Jonathan knew all about as a number of friends had HIV. In 1991, with Billy’s agreement Jonathan took the show forward on his own, teaming up with a Producer named Jeffrey Seller. The paid had met previously with Jeffrey convinced that one day, “Jon was going to write a brilliant musical.”

New York Theatre Workshop put on a reading of the musical in the spring of 1993. Jeffery brought with him some Producer friends who left in the interval assuring him the work was unsalvageable. Jeffrey felt the play was baggy, a collage with no narrative shape. “There were great songs” Jeffery remembers, but Jonathan needed to find a story as good as the music. He sent a letter to Stephen Sondheim, asking

for advice. The composer responded, encouraging Jonathan to apply for a grant. Jonathan won $45,000 (£29,000) to support RENT. Michael Greif, a young New York director was recommended to Jonathan. Michael was sent Jonathan’s tape and script. “What impressed me,” Michael remembers, “was its youth and enthusiasm.

Jon was writing about people I felt I knew, that I sort of loved, or had loved in my life.” Michael met with Jonathan in January of 1994, and along with Jim Nicola of New York Theatre Workshop the three set to work on bringing the script to the level of the music.

Michael was afraid there was something selfcongratulatory about the young bohemian heroes of the show; so Jonathan toned down the lyrics of “La Vie Boheme.” He also fretted about the homeless characters - that they not simply serve as moral scarecrows where Mark and Roger could drape their good social conscience; so Jonathan wrote the new song, “On the Street,” where a homeless woman gives Mark a stern telling off. One large problem, they agreed, was the relationship between Maureen and Mark; in these drafts, a major plot point was Mark winning Maureen back. Michael didn’t like it. “My position was, if they’re gonna be lesbians, let them be lesbians.” Most importantly, Michael had reservations about the message of the show, the “No Day But Today” cheerfulness of the Life Support meetings. Michael had friends with HIV, just as Jonathan did, and they were not cheerful about it. Jonathan added the new scene of Gordon questioning the Life Support credo.

Jonathan Larson and Michael Greif

Original Broadway Cast

A two-week workshop in November 1994 was a tremendous success, with audiences growing larger and more enthusiastic each night. Jeffrey Seller returned with his business partner, Kevin McCollum.

Remembering the plotless show he’d seen a year earlier, Jeffrey turned to Kevin and warned him, “This is either gonna be absolutely brilliant or it’s going to be a piece of crap.” At the interval, Kevin nudged Jeffrey and said, “I’m loving this. Get out the chequebook.” New York Theatre Workshop decided to stage a full production of RENT the following year with a budget of $250,000 (£162,000), twice the cost of anything they had ever mounted.

Jonathan Larson

After the holidays, Jim, Michael and Jonathan spoke about what needed fixing. The show had no single story or narrator - in the November workshop, all the characters told the story; when they had something to say, they turned around and said it right to the audience. The characters themselves also needed refinement. Jim gave Jonathan a task: Could he boil the plot down to a single sentence? Jim put in place a schedule; Jon would deliver a revised draft by the summer’s end; rehearsals to begin in the Autumn.

RENT Movie (2005)

Filming the final Broadway performance

By October Jonathan delivered a new draft version, confident his six years of work were over. The characters were sharper, but he had also changed the structure, turning much of the show into flashback. The first act began with Angel’s funeral and Mark wondering, “How did we get here?” No one was comfortable with this except the playwright.

Jeffrey was also concerned; the show was supposed to go into rehearsals in six weeks and RENT didn’t feel ready to him, yet Jonathan didn’t want to do more writing. “There was real terror the production wouldn’t happen,” Michael remembers.

“We all want this to be as strong as it can be. No one thinks this is finished, so we should have another go at it.” Jonathan turned to Sondheim one last time, who reminded him of a key proposition; theatre was collaborative. Part of Jonathan’s job was to take into account what his collaborators felt.

During Jonathan’s rewrites the show was cast.

“Having a cast seemed to invigorate Jon. He was really inspired by this company,” Michael says.

In December, with rehearsals about to begin, Jonathan handed in the final version of RENT. “When I saw the first sing-through with the full cast, I knew we were in great shape. I gave Jon a hug and told him, ‘you done good.’” Jonathan finally delivered his one sentence summary; “RENT is about a community celebrating life, in the face of death and AIDS, at the turn of the century.”

In January, the New York Theatre Workshop board members watched a rehearsal. Their emotional response to RENT was extraordinary. The New York Times got wind that a rock musical based on La Boheme was going to premiere on the 100th anniversary of the original La Boheme. No one had

20th Anniversary Concert Tour

Nicole Scherzinger as Maureen

Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi

known this; it was a simple fluke. On the night of the final Dress Rehearsal, the last thing Michael and Jim remember saying to Jonathan was to take it easy and sleep well; they’d see him in the morning.

He died an hour later.

The first performance was scheduled for the next day. Jim’s first inclination was to cancel, but he knew they needed to do something in Jonathan’s memory, but he was uneasy. By the evening, the theatre was filled to capacity with people Jonathan loved; his friends, family and colleagues. Jim decided on a sing-through with no movement, just songs. Throughout the first act, the cast were able to hold their seats, but very slowly, they began to act and dance. “It was incredible and terrible,” Anthony Rapp, who played Mark, remembers. “We were all sobbing and crying. The audience was reaching out to the cast. They were crying and cheering.

By the second act, it was no longer contained. It was the full show run full-out, with every line hit for greater and greater meaning. If emotion could have become a physical force, the roof would have blown off.” After the Finale there was a huge ovation, the cast slowly left the stage, and the audience stayed in the theatre. No one was sure what to do. Finally, a single voice called from the audience, “Thank you, Jonathan Larson,” which brought the evening’s loudest, final burst of applause.

Broadway Cast

Tune Up / Voice Mail #1

Mark, Roger, Mrs. Cohen, Collins, Benny

Rent

The Company

You Okay Honey?

Angel, Collins

One Song Glory

Roger

Light My Candle

Roger, Mimi

Voice Mail #2

Mr. & Mrs. Jefferson

Today 4 U

Angel

You’ll See

Benny, Mark, Collins, Roger, Angel

Tango: Maureen Life Support Out Tonight Another Day Will I? On the Street Santa Fe I’ll Cover You We’re Okay Christmas Bells Over the Moon La Vie Boheme / I Should Tell You

Mark, Joanne Paul, Gordon, The Company Mimi Roger, Mimi, The Company Steve, The Company The Company Collins, The Company Angel, Collins Joanne The Company Maureen The Company

Seasons of Love Happy New Year / Voice Mail #3 Take Me or Leave Me

The Company Mimi, Roger, Mark, Maureen, Joanne, Collins, Angel, Mrs. Cohen, Alexi Darling, Benny Maureen, Joanne

Without You

Roger, Mimi

Voice Mail #4

Alexi Darling

Contact I’ll Cover You (Reprise) Halloween

The Company Collins, The Company Mark

Goodbye Love

Mark, Mimi, Roger, Maureen, Joanne, Collins, Benny

What You Own

Pastor, Mark, Collins, Benny, Roger

Voice Mail #5 Your Eyes / Finale

Guitar

Roger’s Mom, Mimi’s Mom, Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Cohen Roger, The Company

Lee Moss

Guitar/Keyboard

Matt Thorpe

Bass Guitar

Jan Phillips

Drums Keyboard

Huw Morgan Peter Blackwood

Benny is Mark and Roger’s former roommate. With the help of his wealthy father-in-law, Benny has bought the building in which Mark and Roger live, and the lot next door that in inhabited by a group of homeless people. Benny wants to build a high-tech cyber-arts studio on the property. Toward this end, he plans to clear the homeless from the lot and evict all the tenants from the building, including Mark and Roger.

Mark’s former lover, Maureen, schedules a performance protest of Benny’s scheme for midnight on Christmas Eve. Benny offers a deal to Mark and Roger. If they convince Maureen to stop her protest, they can stay in the building rent-free.

At the end of Act I, Maureen stages her performance.

A riot erupts in the lot, which Mark videotapes. Then Benny padlocks the building, locking out the tenants.

Act II begins on New Year’s Eve as Mark, Roger and friends attempt to break back into the building.

The rest of the act follows the events of the year.

Andy Siddall

Mark Sellick

MARK COHEN

ROGER DAVIS

This is Andy’s first outing for Bath Operatic and Dramatic Society after eight years performing in the musical society up the hill at the University of Bath. Andy has always had a passion for being on stage, and having recently completed a stint of postgraduate study, he is using the newly rediscovered free time to get back involved with the arts. Most recently, he played the role of Freddie Charleston in the new musical Pencoweth (Music is Life Productions).

Amongst some of Andy’s previous roles are Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Stone (City of Angels), George (The Wedding Singer) and Zoser (Aida).

Mark’s first role was in a school production of Grease, playing that well-known T-Bird they left out of the movie version, Roger. He did get to wear a leather jacket, the only similarity with his character in RENT. Past appearances include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Marius in Les Miserables and more recently in various productions with Keynsham Light Opera Group and Exit Stage Left, including A New Brain which won the Best Musical Rose Bowl Award in 2011.

Andy never thought he’d get the chance to be part of this iconic show, and is thrilled to be playing one of his favourite characters in RENT – even if it does mean wearing far too many layers on stage! For Andy, the themes covered and the complexity of the music in RENT are what make it so spectacular, but also incredibly challenging. Andy hopes he does the part justice, and that you all enjoy the show!

Over the past year Mark has tried his hand at directing with Encore Northenders, partly contributing to more Rose Bowl success with a Best Musical nomination for their production of A Slice of Saturday Night and a Best Pantomime nomination for Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Mark plays keyboards for the ever-popular party/function band The Blues Others. Recent highlights include an appearance at Butlins Minehead and performing for Duncan Bannatyne, Deborah Meaden and Sinitta (off of X Factor).

Mark couldn’t pass up the chance to join BODS for RENT, a show he has always loved. It has properly confused him though, being a Mark playing Roger opposite Mark.

Jenny Lavender

Tristan Carter

MIMI MÁRQUEZ

TOM COLLINS

Performing since the age of 8, Jenny has enjoyed dancing and singing with several exceptional companies. She first performed with the Brierley Hill Operatic Society back at home in the West Midlands, taking part in a number of pantomimes, concerts and shows.

Favourite performances included being part of the dance troupe in 42nd Street and Some Like it Hot.

Tristan trained in Musical Theatre at Guildford School of Acting, in Acting at Rose Bruford University and in Teaching at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He is the co-founder of Curtain Up Theatre School, the largest independent theatre school in the area and also teaches acting at a number of primary and secondary schools.

At the age of 18 she left the West Midlands to study in Bath and now lives locally working as a teacher. Having studied dance as part of her degree, she enjoys running contemporary dance clubs at school in her spare time.

In 2010 Jenny rekindled her passion for performing and joined BODS to dance in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers and then again this year in The Mikado.

Jenny is thoroughly looking forward to performing in her first major role as Mimi in RENT.

Tristan still performs, having recently played Andy Lee in 42nd Street, the title role in Sweeney Todd, Adam Pontipee in Seven Brides and Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast, all with Bath Light Operatic Group. He was delighted to be an original cast member for the world premieres of The Decent Rogues with Music is Life Productions and Wants Needs Dreams for Finch Music.

Tristan is also an accomplished director. Musical credits include A Slice of Saturday Night, Guys and Dolls, Company, Fame, Laura’s Star, Alice in Wonderland (NODA nominated for Visual Excellence 2012), The Mikado (Rose Bowl Best Opera/Operetta 2013), variety performances at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London and The London Palladium. Plays include Doctor Faustus, Macbeth and One Flew Over the Cuckoo Nest.

He is delighted to be playing such a great part in RENT and would like to thank all the cast, crew and those who have helped to bring this superb production to life.

TJ Choongh

Sabrina Messer

ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD

MAUREEN JOHNSON

TJ is currently in his final year at Bath Spa University studying for a Drama degree.

RENT marks his first appearance with Bath Operatic & Dramatic Society.

Sabrina has always had a passion for theatre, and was first seen on stage as a Munchkin in Zenith Youth Theatre Company’s production of The Wizard of Oz in 2008. Seven years later, Sabrina is still involved with Zenith and is lucky enough to be Assistant Director for their next production, Les Miserables.

TJ has performed since the age of 7 with various different theatre companies including Cannock Children’s Theatre Company and most recently Backstreet Theatre Company.

He has played many principle roles including Audrey II (The Plant) in Little Shop of Horrors, Artful Dodger in Oliver, The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, The Pharaoh in Joseph and just before he left to start university in Bath, RENT, where he played Angel for the first time.

TJ says “RENT is my most favourite musical ever and getting cast as Angel for the first time was like a dream come true. It was such a challenging yet amazing role to play. I loved the show and all the songs, but I was gutted when the run finished back in 2011. It was such an honour to audition for BODS and get cast as Angel once again. Good job I still have the skill of walking in heels! I have truly enjoyed being part of this company and working alongside some very talented performers.”

Previous to this Sabrina has taken on roles such as The Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, Katherine Mompesson in The Roses of Eyam and most recently Evita in Evita who’s portrayal won her the Barbara Macrae Rose Bowl Award for Best Youth Actress.

RENT will mark Sabrina’s first show with BODS, and she can safely say all the parts she’s ever played appear tame compared to that of Maureen!

Sabrina hopes you enjoy the show!

Sarah-Jane Adlington

Rob Trigger

JOANNE JEFFERSON

BENJAMIN COFFIN III (BENNY)

SJ spent much of her first year as a Durham Music Graduate touring with Revolution! The Musical and as it is now over a year since the cast of Revolution! returned from the Edinburgh Fringe festival with 4 and 5* reviews from Three Weeks and Broadway Baby, SJ is a thrilled to have to chance to take to the stage again with BODS for RENT.

Originally from Wales, the Land of Song, it took Rob 30 years to take on his first theatrical performance as Danny in Calamity Jane with the Sidcup Amateur Operatic Society.

Having released her debut album The Fire That Froze in July 2012, SJ has spent much of this year working hard at the second. SJ had an excellent time experimenting with various combinations of instruments that can be found hiding around her house and is looking forward to the introduction of her first instrument, Saxophone, to her singer-song writer style.

As SJ has usually ended up playing prostitutes, witches and generally mean ladies in the past (Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, Prostitutes in both Revolution! and Oh! What a Lovely War and Mel in Shakers to name a few) it has made a nice change for her to be playing an intelligent (mostly), well adjusted Lawyer Particularly one that gets to dance the Tango.

While working in Canary Wharf he was posted on assignment to New York at the end of the Millennium where he saw RENT on Broadway for the first time and it became a firm favourite.

Since moving to Bath in 2008, RENT is Rob’s third show with BODS, having previously played Harry in Guys and Dolls and also plied his trade as a Gondolier in Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Gondoliers.

Rob is thrilled with the opportunity to play Benny, the mean villain of the show in RENT. (Rob’s quite nice in real life!)

Matt Bromwich ENSEMBLE

Matt is a young actor who makes his BODS debut this week with RENT. The show follows his recent performances as Thuy in Miss Saigon and Napoleon in the award-winning production of Animal Farm with local company Zenith Youth Theatre. He will also be taking the part of Simon in Noel Coward’s Hay Fever here at The Mission at the end of November.

Currently, Matt is a Teaching Assistant working with children with Autism and Special Educational Needs and is in the process of applying to Drama Schools in the hope of acting professionally.

Adam Darts ENSEMBLE

After taking a five year break from performing, Adam decided to return to the stage with full force by joining the RENT cast.

His first major musical role was Lugger the lead of a criminal gang in Gel, and he has enjoyed returning to the many unlawful roles that RENT has to offer!

When not surrounded by the delightful and talented members

of BODS, Adam plays the piano incessantly and dreams of composing film scores for a living.

Lucy Gaskin

in Into The Woods and Alice in the World Premiere of Pencoweth.

Lucy wants to say what a privilege it has been working with friends both new and old on RENT!

ENSEMBLE

Lucy’s passion for performing started when she was 12, after appearing in a school production with her friends. It wasn’t long before she started singing lessons and began working towards various singing exams, leading to achieving her Grade 8 and LCM Singing Diploma in 2008. Originally from Portsmouth, Lucy moved to Somerset in 2009, where she studied at Bath Spa University, she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Music in 2012.

In the four years that Lucy has lived in Bath, she has taken part in many productions, both Musical Theatre and Classical, and is delighted to be members of Bath Opera, Bath Operatic & Dramatic Society and Music Is Life Productions. Performances include; Luisa Miller, Mozart’s Requiem, Porgy and Bess, Carmina Burana, Queen Of Spades, Brahms Requiem, Carmen, Nabucco, The Mikado and most recently, the new musical Pencoweth.

Other named roles include Frau Grubach in The Trial, Marie’s Grandmother in Woyzeck, The Monitor in Suor Angelica, Philadell in King Arthur, Florindia

Alisha Hart ENSEMBLE

Alisha is currently studying Acting at Bath Spa university, going into her final year.

She has performed in various school and amateur performances over the years, including shows such as We Will Rock You, Hairspray, A Midsummer Nights Dream, and other musical showcases and events.

Alisha sings not only in musical theatre, but also has experience singing with bands, duos and choirs. She has been a member of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain for four years now, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall for three BBC Prom concerts. Alongside singing she loves to act, write, and direct.

RENT is one of Alisha’s all time favourite musicals, and she can’t wait to finally perform in a production of the show.

Brian Murray ENSEMBLE

Raised with a strong appreciation for stage productions and on a broad range of musical genres, music and theatre hold strong on Brian’s lifeblood. His childhood was filled with many a theatrical debacle; from singing a stylised The Happy Wanderer as an Italian pizza chef to having a Roald Dahl stage adaptation nicknamed Peach and The Giant James after him, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay away from the stage.

He continued to perform in many productions and choirs through his school career. Whilst learning piano, he was vocally trained by Joyce Lawton, who also provided him with a crash course in etiquette. With the Al Khubairat Adult Choir he has taken part in a collaborative performance of the Lord of the Rings score for composer Howard Shore, the UAE’s first Last Night at the Proms in the Emirates Palace with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and in his first year of sixth form played Jean Valjean in his school’s production of Les Miserables.

He is currently studying Physics at the University of Bath, and has taken part in various productions and events with the Student Union’s societies; Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, Gravis Mushnik

in Little Shop of Horrors, and James Larrabee in Sherlock Holmes; A Drama In Four Acts, amongst others. He has also hosted various Student’s Union events, as well as being Bath Kickboxing Club’s long time Fight Night announcer, endeavouring to provide Michael Buffer-esque oratories. During the auditions for RENT, Brian was asked to join Bath Opera for their Summer 2013 tour of and English language version of Don Giovanni, in which he played Nathaniel [Masetto]. He will be directing Bath University’s first open air Shakespeare play in the spring.

Previous roles for BODS include; understudy for Edith (Pirates of Penzance), Strawberry Seller (Oliver!), Fiametta (The Gondoliers), Mimi (Guys and Dolls), and most recently, Pitti-Sing (The Mikado) her performance for which she currently holds the Vic and Esme Smith Singing award.

Brian says it feels good to be playing a bum again.

Despite the quick adjustment from loved up fishwife to junkie/ homeless person, Sophie has thoroughly enjoyed working alongside fellow cast members and Director of Pencoweth, and friends both old and new in this exciting production of RENT. She hopes you all enjoy the show!

Sophie Smith ENSEMBLE

Born and raised in the South West, Sophie studied at Bath Spa University, graduating in 2012 with a BA (Hons) degree in Music.

She has played many roles in both Opera and Musical Theatre, including; Queenie, (Honk!), Nella (Gianni Schicchi), Cupid (King Arthur), Chloe (Queen of Spades), and one of her favourites, Cinderella (Into the Woods).

This will be her eighth show for BODS, after being asked to join the 2006 production of Iolanthe, as a tap dancing fairy!

Earlier this year, Sophie was proud to appear as Kerensa Green in Music is Life Production’s World Premiere of the brand new musical, Pencoweth, and is looking forward to touring the production and getting started on the original cast recording.

James Woodhams ENSEMBLE

James first started performing in primary school when he played Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical following the biblical character. Ever since then you haven’t been able to keep him off the stage, as he has performed many roles including Khashoggi in We Will Rock You, John in Waters of the Moon and many more.

James is presently in his second year of studying BA (hons) Acting at Bath Spa University.

James also has a Diploma in Musical Theatre from the London College of Music.

The Magic Flute, Beauty and the Beast, various Musical Theatre showcases and Honk! The Musical.

James is a keen musician playing trumpet, cornet and ukulele. He has played and sung with his old big band in many places around the globe, including New York City.

ENSEMBLE

This is James’ first production with BODS and he is very excited to be performing in RENT.

Emma Webb ENSEMBLE

Emma completed her BA Hons in Music at Bath Spa University in 2013. Having trained as a singer from the age of seven, Emma has performed in many musical theatre productions, operas, gigs and festivals.

Beginning her training at East Sussex School of Performing Arts (ESSPA), Emma has had regular lessons in modern dance, drama and musical theatre. Emma then further developed her passions on the Music Performance course at Bath Spa University, relishing her studies in musical theatre and opera.

Recently, Emma has performed in Purcell’s King Arthur, Mozart’s

Vince Zarola Vince originally joined BODS to help out backstage with RENT after having the idea suggested to him by a friend.

However, after attending the open workshop auditions to meet the other members, he was persuaded to join in with the fun and from there obtained a part in the company.

This is Vince’s debut performance for BODS and his first musical performance in 10 years. His last musical performance was while he was at school for the children’s musical, Blast Off!, where he played the role of the alien (UFO). However, since joining BODS, he has brushed up on his performance abilities by playing the role of a spy in a friend’s charity play, Conclusion Confusion.

Vince has thoroughly enjoyed being a part of RENT and hopes you enjoy the show just as much.

PRODUCTION TEAM Director

Petra Schofield

Musical Director

Peter Blackwood

Assistant Director

Rose Lambert

Additional Choreography

Lesley Moodie

Wardrobe

Carol Norton

Lighting Design

Andrew Wale

Sound Design

Ian Fisher

Set Design

Petra Schofield

Props

Rose Lambert Juliette Coad

Front of House Manager

Carol Norton

Photography

Charlie Matters Huw Morgan

Publicity Material / Programme

Mark Sellick

Printing

Colorworks Bath

BODS PATRONS Life Members Mrs Pat Bishop, Mrs June Davies, Mrs Audrey Gates, Mr Tom Wyatt Honorary Patrons Lord Bath, Lord Snowdon, The Mayor of Bath, Mr Anthony Head, Mr Don Foster MP, Mr & Mrs Brian Roper Patrons Mrs R Arkley, Ms J Blackwood, Mr C L Blount, Lady Carter, Mr & Mrs R Chippendale, Mr & Mrs W Chippendale, Mr and Mrs G Collett, Mrs P Connett, Mr J Cottell, Mr & Mrs C Davey, Mrs M Ditte, Mrs M Drew, Mr B Drummond, Mr & Mrs D Dymond, Mr R B Fortt, Dr E Galizia, Mr A Gay, Mr O Gay, Mr & Mrs A J Gilmour, Mr E Godfrey, Mrs A Hall, Mrs P Hall, Mrs J Hammond, Mr P Jackson, Mr P James, Mrs A Leaker, Mr R Little, Dr & Mrs N Newman, Mr B Norton, Mrs A G Parsons, Mr & Mrs C Parsons, Mrs P Phillips, Mrs C Readman, Mr & Mrs M Rehfisch, Mr D Rider, Mrs P Russell, Mr A Smith, Miss E Smith, Mrs D Southern, Dr H Stutchbury, Miss C L Tanner, Mr & Mrs P Vinicombe, Mr C Wyatt

JOINING BODS Bath Operatic & Dramatic Society stage a variety of productions throughout the year including musicals, cabarets and fundraising events.

Bath Operatic & Dramatic Society would like to thank the following people for their time and assistance in the staging of RENT:

New members to the group are always welcome! If you are interested in joining as an acting or singing member, helping out behind the scenes (including the back stage team, wardrobe department and front of house team), we would be glad to hear from you.

Backstage Productions - Bristol for their kind support with costumes, Ann Garner and the Mission Theatre team, BODS members for Stage Management and Front of House duties.

Please feel free to speak to any member of our front of house team, or cast, who will be more than happy to take your details.

SPECIAL THANKS

COLORWORKS ADVERT 200mm x 138mm

BATH OPERATIC & DRAMATIC SOCIETY proudly presents...

A TRULY MAGICAL MUSICAL COMEDY

8TH -12TH APRIL 2014

THEATRE ROYAL BATH

Ticket pricing and booking information soon to be announced.

Please visit our website at WWW.BATHOPERATIC.CO.UK