Interviews with Expats ? Dave Milas from BATS | Stavanger Expats

This article is one in a series of interviews with expats in Stavanger. Its purpose is to share with everyone what your fellow expats are doing and also to help advertise the businesses/services/events that these expats are involved in. If you would like to or know of a business/enterprise to be interviewed, feel free to contact us!

For this article, we interviewed Dave Milas from BATS ? the British Amateur Theatre Society.

Where are you from?
I?m from the UK. I grew up in Sitiingbourne, Kent.

What brought you to Stavanger?
The oil industry. I came as an expat working for a service company back in 1983.

How long have you been here?
30 years. Amazing really since I started with a 6 month contract.

Wow, that?s a long time. What made you stay for so long?
I found a Norwegian girl and got married. Norway is a great place to bring up children.

Do you speak Norwegian?
Yes.

Do you feel like you have integrated into the culture and lifestyle here?
I enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, so yes but even though Stavanger has changed a lot in 30 years I still miss the English pub culture!

Any tips for newcomers to Stavanger?
It can sometimes seem difficult to make good friends with local Norwegians even though the people are very friendly .I think it?s mainly due to the fact that they already have a large friend/family circle.

Don?t give up as there are lots of people who are not local.

What got you involved with BATS?
Always wanted to have a go but never dared. I was asked to join the chorus in the 2006 Panto Mother Goose as they were short of people, particularly men. So I thought now or never and I haven?t looked back since. I was very nervous to start off with.

Have you always been involved with theatre and the arts?
No. But since the first Panto I have acted in 7 Pantomimes and 3 plays as well as backstage doing sound effects and generally helping to build and paint sets.

Can you tell us more about BATS? upcoming events?
The next Panto is Dick Whittington and His Cat which will be performed at the end of the month at Byfjord School in Tasta. The performances are:

• Thursday, Jan. 31 @ 18.00
• Friday, Feb. 1 @ 19.00
• Saturday, Feb.2 @ 14.00 and 19.00
• Sunday, Feb. 3 @ 14.00

For those that have never been to a pantomime, it?s not silent. On the contrary it?s pretty noisy with songs and dance and audience participation. The kids are expected to cheer and shout at certain times. Its a good family show.

Tickets can be bought ahead of time through Billettservice.

How and where can one find more information about BATS and its events?
On our website. We try to keep it up to date.

Thank you Dave and good luck with BATS? next performance!!

Source: http://www.stavangerexpats.com/interviews-with-expats-dave-milas-from-bats

cab calloway melissa gilbert deadliest catch dwts sean hannity bobby petrino fired buffett rule