Celebrities Who Performed At The Kenton No 3 John Mortimer

Navigation

Site Search

Editor Login

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 Performed At The Kenton No 3 John Mortimer

Written by Bill Port

NO.3. John Mortimer QC (1923 -2009) Author, Barrister

john mortimer.jpg Sir John Clifford Mortimer, barrister son of a barrister, was educated at Harrow School and Brasenose College, Oxford. He was called to the bar in 1948 after serving as a scriptwriter with the Crown Film Unit. As a barrister, he took part in several high profile cases of which his defence, in 1971, of two of the three editors of the underground magazine Oz on a charge of obscenity, is probably the best known. In the early part of his legal career he began writing plays, rising early in the morning to write before attending court. He has always maintained that his career as a barrister stood him in good stead, not only in supporting his early writings, but also in terms of inspiration.
His first play The Dock Brief was broadcast on the radio in May 1957 and was televised four months later. His other television plays include Will Shakespeare ? six episodes in 1978, Edwin and Paradise Postponed in 1987 and the highly praised Brideshead Revisited 13 episodes in 1981. The play A Voyage Round my Father, which was first broadcast in 1971 and remade for a broadcast in 1981, is largely autobiographical and tells of his experiences as a young barrister and his relationship with his blind barrister father. As an author John Mortimer has been responsible for more than fifty books, plays and scripts.

His most famous creation is Rumpole, the barrister who specialises in defending those who have been accused of crime. Rumpole first appeared in the television play Rumpole of the Bailey in 1975. Played by Leo McKern, the character became extremely popular and was developed into a series for Thames Television. He was also the leading character in a series of books all written by Mortimer. Rumpole was always very much up-to-date with contemporary topics such as racial tension (Rumpole and the Fascist Beast, 1979), whistle-blowing civil servants (Rumpole and the Official Secret, 1987), city fraud (Rumpole and the Barrow Boy, 1988) and even joy-riding and rioting (Rumpole and the Family Pride, 1992).

In addition to the Rumpole series, Mortimer was also responsible for the dramatisation of many of the real-life cases of Edward Marshall-Hall for a radio series which starred Tom Baker (who also appeared at the Kenton in 1967). In 1949, Mortimer married Penelope Fletcher who later became better known as the author Penelope Mortimer. They had two children. They divorced in 1971 and in 1972 he married Penelope Gollop by whom he has two more children.

If there should be any doubt of John Mortimer?s international prominence, it is worth noting that he was mentioned twice during the O.J. Simpson trial in America. One defence attorney even remarked ?as Mrs Rumpole would put it, I think we have here a case of premature adjudication.? John Mortimer made two appearances at the Kenton presenting Mortimer?s Miscellany in 1986 and again in 2005 in aid of the theatre?s bicentenary celebrations.

Bill Port

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email this

Comments (0) Add Comment