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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

Number 17 - Constance Cummings - Actress (1910 - 2005)

Written by Samantha Fields

Constance Cummings was appointed CBE in 1974 for services to the theatre, one of the few foreigners to be so rewarded.

She was born in Seattle on May 15th 1910, the daughter of a lawyer. As she grew up she first wanted to be a dancer and, after a walk-on part in a local review, she was selected to join a Broadway chorus line. She was spotted by Sam Goldwyn who auditioned her for a part in a Ronald Colman film but did not select her for the role. Colman felt sorry for her and asked his agent to get her a part in another film and she played opposite Walter Huston in The Criminal Code which was a big success. Over the next few years she made fourteen films.

In 1933 she met and married the English dramatist Benn Levy and moved with him to London. She appeared on stage in the American comedy Sour Grapes which occasioned the headline in the Daily Telegraph 'A film star who can act!'. Another appearance in Young Madame Conti at the Savoy convinced James Agate that "she made a roaring success out of what, in other hands, might so easily have been an inarticulate, elegant flop."

She appeared in several of her husband's plays on both sides of the Atlantic and continued to make films including Blithe Spirit, Long Days Journey into Night with Laurence Olivier and The Battle of the Sexes with Peter Sellers. In all she made 53 films.

She was equally successful on television and, in her later years, appeared in television series such as The Power Game and Craig's Wife and Rodney Ackland's play The Old Ladies.

She and her husband moved to Oxfordshire in the early 70s to take over and run a 600 acre dairy farm but she continued with her acting career and appeared in theatres throughout the country including the Glasgow Citizens Theatre and the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. She later accepted Olivier's invitation to join him at the National Theatre and played parts in Coriolanus, Amphitryon 38 and The Cherry Orchard.

Benn Levy died in 1973 but Constance continued to run the dairy farm while
making occasional acting performances. In 1988, at the age of 78, she toured theatres in Richmond, Winchester, Gloucester Wisbech and Dumfries, among others, performing her one-woman production written by Laurier Lister, Fanny Kemble at Home. This was the production which she played with great success at the Kenton from September 8th to 13th.

She continued to tour and, at the age of 90, she was performing in Uncle Vanya at theatres around the South of England. She died in November 2005 at the age of 95.
Bill Port

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