HAODS - For the best entertainment in live theatre, together with top quality drama - amdram at its best, Henley Operatic & Dramatic Society has it all. Performing at the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames, NODA award winning HAODS musicals and plays are renowned for excellence.

Bill Port has written some histories about events that have happened at the Kenton deep in our past. Many HAODS members will find them fascinating. Bill will be publishing these little potted histories here on a monthly basis.

No.1  Albert Chevalier (1861 - 1923)  The Coster's Laureate

Off stage, Albert Chevalier bore no resemblance to the cockney character he portrayed in his Music Hall and Variety act. He was born Albert Onesime Britannicus Gwathveoyd Louis Chevalier at 21 St Ann's Villas, Royal Crescent, Notting Hill. His father, of French descent, was French Master at Kensington Grammar School. His mother was Welsh. Neither had any connection with the theatre, but Albert showed an early interest in the stage and made his first performance at the age of eight in the Cornwall Hall in Notting Hill reciting Mark Anthony's oration over Caesar' s body. At the age of fourteen he joined a local amateur dramatic society (The Roscius Dramatic Club) using the stage name Albert Knight ' 'knight' being the English for 'chevalier'. His first professional performance was at the King's Cross Theatre where he sang a solo between the acts of Still Waters Run Deep. He was paid ten shillings. His appearance led to him being introduced to the Bancroft Company which gave him his big break at the age of sixteen. He remained a serious actor for some fourteen years, occasionally writing plays. He soon became well established as a straight actor and moved to Liverpool where he became the principal comic actor at the Bijou Theatre. While there he began to write musical farces and this was the start of the 'coster' songs for which he is best known.

The HAODS webmaster recently received an email from Sheelagh Wilson whose father lived in Henley and who was a founder member of our society.  Sheelagh submitted the originals of the Mikado photographs which can be found on our gallery page here , Sheelagh corrected the date of the photos, they are in fact from the very first Mikado show in 1922. Sheelagh's note reads:

"The note which my late father, Frederick King, left with the Mikado photos is as follows:

'The Mikado - First of any performance in the local cinema.  Presented by the new Henley-on-Thames Operatic Society in about February 1922. The five shows were crowded to the full and scores of people had to be turned away, if they had no tickets, on the Saturday night. In the following years, the Society staged The Pirates of Penzance and The Yeomen of the Guard.'

The 3 additional photographs (shown here) which I would be happy to lend if you think they might be appropriate for inclusion on your website are:

Affiliated to the National Operatic & Dramatic Association.  Registered Charity 259404. 

President: Simon Williams.

HAODS was formed in 1922 and each year usually puts on two musicals and a play at Henley's Kenton Theatre and, every other year at an open-air venue.  Our major shows are the musicals, usually one around April and again in November.  Productions of plays varies, but we always have an entry into the Kenton Drama Festival.

We are fortunate to own the well-equipped Green Room, behind the Kenton, which is where we hold our rehearsals and social events; our extensive wardrobe is also stored there, in a recently built extension.  Rehearsals usually take place three nights a week for large productions, which increase to Sunday rehearsals closer to the production date.  Readings and our auditions are generally open to all.  If you are a non-member and are fortunate enough to be cast in a show, you will be required to join as a performing member.

The Kenton Theatre is a Regency gem, opened in 1805, set in the heart of Henley-on-Thames.  The fourth oldest working theatre in the country, the Kenton’s two hundred and thirty four seat auditorium has a warm, friendly and cosy intimacy that makes it a perfect performance space for both HAODS's large scale musicals and intimate plays.  Kate Winslet and the West End's Oliver, Harry Stott are just two of the many stars who trod the Kenton stage at an early age, Harry having appeared in our production of Singin' in the Rain in 2004.

New members are always welcome – whether as budding actors, or to help backstage with set building, costumes or props – or maybe just as a supporter to enjoy the social functions.  Drop into one of our Coffee Mornings, Club Room Lunches or come and see a production.  You will have the warmest of welcomes and the best of times if you stay!  Click here to Join Us.

Vice Presidents
Mr M Chalcroft His Worship the Mayor of Henley Mr J Luker
Mr R Hardy CBE His Worship the Mayor of Falaise Mr J A R Yeates
Mr Simon Langton Mr J Yeates Mrs A Luker

Life Members
Nansi Diamond Mary Reece