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The Magic of the "Five Seconds": A Look Inside BATS
If you've spent any time in the Stavanger area, you've likely heard of BATS. But if you still think it's just the "British Amateur Theater Society," you're missing out on one of the most vibrant, international communities in Norway. A new video just dropped that takes us behind the scenes, and it's a beautiful reminder of why these performers do what they do.
Watch the documentary: BATS: An Amateur Theater Group
More Than Just a Name
For years, people were a bit reluctant to join because they thought you had to be British. Today, BATS is a truly global theater group. The current cast and crew feature Americans, Norwegians, Spaniards, Portuguese, and Brazilians. It's a place where "foreigners" moving to a new country for serious work can find like-minded people and a creative outlet that makes them feel alive.
The Chaos and the "Rush"
The video doesn't sugarcoat the reality of amateur theater. It's hectic. Between "normal" day jobs and raising families, finding time for rehearsals is a struggle. There are moments, usually a few weeks before a show, where everyone is tired, hungry, and "mad at everyone" because nobody knows where the props are or remembers their lines.
But then, it happens. That incomparable feeling five seconds before stepping on stage. As one member put it, that moment of pure excitement is the reason they do it—the adrenaline rush is just brilliant.
From Shakespeare to Panto
BATS covers a lot of ground, from the serious acting of A Midsummer Night's Dream to interactive Murder Mystery Dinners where the audience interrogates the characters over a meal.
However, the "backbone" of the group remains the Pantomime. While Panto is a very British tradition—complete with cross-dressing Dames and magical animals—BATS is making it their own. They've even started performing original scripts with local references to Stavanger, making the tradition accessible to everyone, even if they don't speak the language.
A Group Without a "Home"
One of the most surprising takeaways from the video is that BATS doesn't actually have a permanent home. They are a bit of a nomadic tribe, keeping costumes in the British school's attic and set equipment in a barn in Randaberg. They've even held rehearsals in racquetball courts! Because members are often expats living here temporarily, the group faces a "wave of changes" every year as people move on. Yet, the core spirit remains, held together by longtime members like director Christine Kemp.
What's Next?
The dream is big. There's talk of one day taking the main stage at Rogaland Theater to high critical acclaim. But for now, the goal is simple: to keep spreading joy, providing a creative outlet for the English-speaking community, and reaching a wider audience.
Whether you're a seasoned actor or just someone looking for a place where you can "act out and act up" without being judged, BATS is waiting.
This post was written retrospectively by Nic to add the 2014 BATS documentary to the news archive.