Note from the Archives

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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

Note from the Archives

Written by Sheelagh Wilson

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 2. My father in a production which I cannot identify but would like to be able to do so! 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:

1. My father in Yeomen of the Guard
2. My father in a production which I cannot identify but would like to be able to do so!
3. My father's brother in 'doublet and hose' - again cannot identify the production

My father was born in July 1903 so would have been 18 in early 1922. 3. My father's brother in 'doublet and hose' - again cannot identify the production He moved to Henley when he was about 11 and lived with his parents and brother at Bird Place Cottage by the bridge. His father ran a dairy at 16 Hart Street. They were apparently the first people in the town to own a motor car, apart from the doctor.

sheelaghs father in Yeomen of the Guard My father and his brother attended the Grammar School and sang in the Church choir. They were close friends of the Hobbs family and my father was an accomplished sculler. They moved back to London in the mid 1920s.

My father retained his interest in Gilbert & Sullivan until his death in 1983.

Hope this will be of interest and some use to you.

Sheelagh Wilson"

If anyone in the society can identify the shows to which these photos are associated please let us know here and we will inform Sheelagh. The full images can be seen in greater glory in the gallery section here .

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