THIS is my seventh show as director and I’ve helped out with a couple of others too. I’ve loved every one.

My favourite element of directing Cats is the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented young people and seeing them flourish and blossom. It is amazing to watch the self-confidence of some shy young person grow as they perform.

The most challenging task with BATS Next Gen is telling those who have been unsuccessful at audition. I’d love to include everybody but we just don’t have the space. Sometimes, we have to turn away more people than we have in the show! It’s always a really difficult time, particularly as everyone who auditions is very talented.

There’s always a lot of stress and nerves during show week, but that doesn’t stop everyone enjoying themselves. We’ve had stage crew on stage when they shouldn’t be there, inappropriate words being uttered when actors thought their microphones were off, and a few spoonerisms that have reduced the backstage crew to helpless giggles. The cast are always totally professional, though.

For me, two shows have been really memorable. The first was We Will Rock You, the first major musical performed by BATS Next Gen, and it proved that the society was able to move on to the next level. The other is Rent, the show performed last year. It was during this show that, I think, we created a perfect storm where all the elements – acting, singing, dancing, music – came together.

The show addresses some very adult themes and the cast took a very mature approach. It’s strange to say that we were often reduced to tears during rehearsals so we knew we had a good show but the cast completely blew us away on opening night. I’m sure we’ll get the same feeling during Cats. I hope that it’s a show that everyone – cast, production team and audience – enjoys.

Cats – A Youth Group production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd – will be performed at Queen Mary’s Hall, Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke, from Thursday, February 20, through to Saturday, February 22, including a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets, priced £13.50 for adults, £11.50 for under-16s or over-65s, can be purchased via ticketsource.co.uk, the Facebook page Facebook/BATSNG, or by calling 07754 068545. Find out more online at batsnextgen.co.uk.