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.
live theatre, top quality drama, amdram at its best
Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
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
1977 Mrs V Barter 1983 Mr JAR & Mrs J Yeates
1976 Mr J & Mrs A Luker 1990 Mrs J Taylor
| Celebrities who appeared at the Kenton No. 13 - Cyril Fletcher |
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Cyril Fletcher - Comedian (1913 - 2005) was essentially a variety performer when the popularity of
British Variety entertainment was at its height. His act consisted largely
of reciting, in a variety of peculiar voices, comedy poems which he had
written himself. He referred to these poems as "Odd Odes" and they were
extremely popular with music hall audiences. He was steeped in the variety
tradition and once said of it
"Variety as a cradle for stardom was unsurpassed. It is an exciting and
exacting science."
Cyril Trevellian Fletcher was born in Watford on 25th June 1913. As a
schoolboy he became popular among his friends by writing and performing comic
verses. He often expressed the desire to become a classical actor, on leaving
school, however, he obtained a job as an insurance clerk. He later got a
place in the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and a chance meeting in
1936 with the producer Greatorex Newman led to him appearing with the Fol de
Rols Concert Party in Hastings. He went on to appear at the Holborn Empire
and was soon topping the bill in variety theatres all over the country. As
a result of his popularity he was given his own radio series with the BBC
and became one of the first comedians to appear on television when the
service opened at Alexandra Palace. He also appeared in "Dick Whittington" the
first pantomime ever to be televised.
He married the actress Betty Astell and they toured their own show, "Odes
and Ends", to all parts of the country. They often recalled how, during one
of their sketches, the scenery collapsed to reveal to the audience an
almost naked chorus girl in the arms of one of the stagehands. Knowing only
that the set had collapsed and without looking round, Betty Astell carried on
with her next line which was
"That's the worst of them council houses."
After the war the Fletchers concentrated on presenting summer shows and
pantomimes in which Cyril invariably played the dame. In addition he
appeared regularly on television in "What's my Line" and presented ATV's "
Gardening Time" for fourteen years. In 1972 his long comedy career enjoyed
something of a renaissance when he was asked by Esther Rantzen to take part in
her consumer programme "That's Life" and recite some of his "Odd Odes". He
proved such a success with audiences that he became a fixture and appeared
regularly until 1980.
He and his wife retired to Guernsey where Cyril wrote his autobiography -
"Nice one, Cyril" - and still occasionally delighted audiences with his
one-man show "After Dinner with Cyril Fletcher"
It was this show which he presented at the Kenton on 2nd March 1974.
He died, aged 91, on 1st January 2005.
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