AN AWARD-WINNING musical based on love and living for today is coming to Basingstoke. 

Basingstoke Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) is returning to the Haymarket with Jonathan Larson’s rock musical, RENT.

RENT is a story of friendship, love and survival as it follows a year in the lives of a group of struggling young artists and musicians in New York’s East Village in the 1990s. 

Inspired by Puccini’s opera La Boheme, the musical includes the songs Seasons of Love, One Song Glory, La Vie Boheme, I’ll Cover You and Take Me Or Leave Me.

BATS recently awarded the NODA Accolade of Excellence for Shrek the Musical and RENT will be directed and choreographed by Louise Travis, who previously staged Sister Act and Elf the Musical for the society.

Public performances of RENT run from Wednesday, May 17 to Saturday, May 20 at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

On Tuesday, May 16 there will be a sponsored charity performance made possible by Lavazza Professional, Zebra Technology and Hampshire County Councillors Jacky Tustain and Stephen Reid. 

This support has enabled the society to connect with young people in Basingstoke and signpost resources available to them. 

To book tickets online, go to anvilarts.org.uk, or book in person at the Anvil Box Office or call 01256 844244. For groups call, 01256 366935.