Celebrities who appeared at the Kenton No.6. Mary Blandy

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Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society

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

President: Simon Williams.

simon williams our President 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

NODA Long Service Awards
1977 Mrs V Barter 1983 Mr JAR & Mrs J Yeates
1976 Mr J & Mrs A Luker 1990 Mrs J Taylor

Click here to view a list of all the Henley Operatic shows from 1922 to today

Celebrities who appeared at the Kenton No.6. Mary Blandy

Written by Bill Port

I can hear you scoffing right now. "How can someone who died in the eighteenth century appear at the Kenton?" Well, Mary Blandy was undoubtedly a celebrity in her time and she DID appear at the Kenton. The fact that these incidents are almost 250 years apart makes it all the more interesting. Mary Blandy was born in Henley in 1721, the daughter of Francis Blandy, a well-known Oxfordshire lawyer and Town Clerk of Henley. The family lived a comfortable life style in their house in Hart Street next to St Mary?s Church. In the late 1740s, Francis Blandy became concerned that his daughter seemed destined to remain a spinster and he let it be known that Mary would have a dowry of £10,000 ( a tremendous sum in those days!) when she married but this did not attract any suitors until she met Captain the Honourable William Henry Cranstoun at a garden party at Paradise House, the home of his uncle, Lord Mark Ker. Mary's father was delighted at the prospect of a son-in-law from the Scottish aristocracy and invited Cranstoun to reside with them when he was demobilized from the army. Francis Blandy's delight was overturned when Lord Mark Ker informed him that his nephew was already married. He forbade Cranstoun ever to see Mary again. It is obvious that Cranstoun?s main interest was the £10,000 and he sent Mary a "love philtre" suggesting that she gave it to her father to overcome his dislike. As instructed, Mary gave her father the powders with his meals and he died. Tests showed that the powders contained arsenic. Cranstoun fled, first of all to Scotland and a few weeks later to France. Mary was arrested and came to trial at the Oxford Assizes (held in the Hall of Divinity School, the normal venue being under repair) on March 3rd 1752. The trial lasted thirteen hours at the end of which Mary was found guilty and sentenced to death. She was hanged on April 6th and her body was transported to Henley where it was buried in the chancel of St Mary's Church between the bodies of her parents. The service was conducted by the Rev. William Stockwood. In November of the same year, Cranstoun was found dead in a hotel room in Northern France. Mary Blandy appeared at the Kenton on the night of Saturday 10th April 2004. A party from the Ghost Club Society accompanied by Bryan Villars and myself spent the night in the complete dark of the auditorium. At around 2.45am we all saw a mysterious light about four feet in height moving up and down the aisle. A photograph was taken by the GCS secretary. Later a questioning session was held and the 'ghost' claimed to be Mary Blandy. Asked why she had come to the theatre the reply was that she had come to see a play about herself which she did not like. Later checking revealed that a play called "The Hanging Wood" by Joan Morgan about Mary Blandy had been performed in the theatre in 1969 and was not well received. Despite several other overnight visits to the theatre Mary Blandy has not made a return appearance, Perhaps she will oblige in November when another " ghost hunt" has been arranged. I have an adapted copy of the play "The Hanging Wood" if any company would like to perform it.