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.

A Dickens of an Evening -- Celebrating 200th Anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens - A Studio

Written by Chairman

Wednesday, 18 January 2012 02:05

Did you know that Charles Dickens had hardly any formal schooling and his father went to Debtors prison? Learn more about this iconic author and meet many of his colourful characters. Follow his own remarkable rags to riches riches story from Fleet St hack to world renowned author. A delightful evening documenting the life and times of this enduring author, in the company of some of his most colourful characters with even more colourful monikers that pepper his literary career. Meet the likes of Mr. Sloppy, Wopsle, Bumble, Scrooge and Sweedlepipe. Hardly everyday names encountered on the streets of London. These names were purely the product of Dickens' unique imagination, which would often befit the characters Books by Charles Dickens will be on sale courtesy of the Bell Bookshop 8.00pm Friday and Saturday: Adults £7, Children £5 Tickets available from the Bell Bookshop, Henley, RG9 or call 07514 054 384 or 07831 546047 Refreshments available The HAODS Studio, New Street, Henley-on-Thames Oxfordshire RG9 2BP Friday 17 Feb 2012 and Saturday 18 Feb 2012 Website: www.henleyoperatic.co.uk

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Little Shop of Horrors Review by Oxford Drama Network

Written by Chairman

Tuesday, 29 November 2011 19:00

Deidre Jones from the Oxford Drama Network came to see Little Shop of Horrors and has very kindly posted this review on their website for us: Henley Amateur & Dramatic Society present 'Little Shop of Horrors' Nov 2011 HAODS presented an excellent production of 'Little Shop of Horrors' by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman at the Kenton Theatre. Set in the early 60s all the cast were required to sing, dance and act - the 3 girl backing group - Crystal (Claire Wallis), Chiffon (Lucy Potter) and Ronnette (Daisy O'Halloran) were well synchronised in their 60s dance steps and harmony singing. All helped by the beehive hairdos and 60s costumes (Isabelle Foley) Mushnik (Greg Stack) the impoverished, Jewish, flower shop owner on Skid Row is very happy when Seymour (James Gwynne) produces an original baby plant which seems to bring customers into his shop. Ditzy Audrey (Sally Rowlandson), Seymour's secret love, also works in the flower shop - she has a dentist boyfriend, Orin (Elvis) Scrivello (Tim Harling) who ill-treats her. The plant has unusual dietary requirements and 'grows' spectacularly on stage when fed. The 'voice' of the plant (Mark Khutan) and puppeteer (Richard Evans) made us believe the plant, Audrey 2, was real. The set featured a large moveable flat which when pushed to either side showed the interior and exterior of the shop which was very effective. It seems Ioan Havard happily played 6 or was it 7? cameo roles. There is no prompt mentioned in the programme, not a hint of a prompt needed, of course not, this was a committed cast who had all worked on their lines and presentation. A lesson for other Societies perhaps? Director, Lloyd White was well served by Musical Director, Alan Lineham and Choreographer, Emma-Jane Taylor. Everyone of the cast should be congratulated on a truly entertaining evening and especial congratulations should go to Director, Lloyd White for guiding his cast in such a professional production. Deidre Jones

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Hot Production Pruned To Perfection

Written by Chairman

Monday, 21 November 2011 21:47

Geeky, quirky, snappy, wacky.... and every other cookie adjective you can think of ... I mean its crazy, who has ever heard of a man eating plant? Ridiculous! However, after two hours in the company of Audrey II I was ready to believe anything! Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (HAODS) have done it again with their production of Little Shop of Horrors. They have branched out into the exotic and potted up this horticultural horror of a show for us with their usual style and panache. With a clever, clever set and an atmosphere that left us in no doubt that we were in an alley in Skid Row in the late 50?s. Little Shop of Horrors is a rock musical which has enjoyed several re-pottings over the last fifty years. It began life as a low budget black comedy film in 1960 but composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman turned it into a musical in 1982 and continued to amaze and delight off-Broadway audiences for a staggering 2209 performances and was awarded the New York Critics Award for Best Musical. Little Shop Of Horrors then made history when the musical, based on a movie, was then shot as a movie itself starring Rick Moranis as Seymour, Ellen Greene, reprising her stage role as Audrey and Levi Stubbs, of the Four Tops as the voice of Audrey II. The music is in the legendary style of the 60?s with rock and roll, doo-wop and early Mowtown combining in irresistible toe-tapping numbers, including Downtown, Somewhere That?s Green and Suddenly Seymour. Musical Director, Alan Lineham says that he has sold his soul to rock and roll and that surely comes across in the terrific interpretation and discipline of this hot-showadi-wadi all-singing cast. The timings and musical cues were effortlessly accurate, demonstrating just how hard this small cast has worked. The musical backing is provided by a sizzling trio of on-stage, back-combed beauties, Chiffon, Crystal and Ronnette, played respectively by Claire Wallis, Lucy Potter and Daisy O?Halloran, who also turn their hands to a little dentistry, bribery and composting. Somewhat of a cautionary tale, the plot centres on hapless Seymour Krelborne, played with such accuracy by James Gwynne that I really believe that he has to be that hopeless in real life. He is an assistant at Mushnik's Florist Shop on Skid Row, but times are hard and desperate not to lose his job and be parted from his secret love, sales assistant Audrey, he tries to boost sales by nurturing a strange house plant that he has stumbled upon during a total eclipse of the Sun. He names it Audrey II after his secret love and finds that it grows faster if it is fed with a few drops of blood?and subsequently human flesh. Audrey is played by Sally Rowlands ? who has to be the most vulnerable heroin in history, she is a delight to watch and listen to. In true Faustian style ? Seymour continues to feed the man-eating vegetable in return for good luck and fortune, however, things rapidly get out of hand for Seymour as the monster plant?and the business?thrives, eventually devouring just about everything and anyone in sight. Mushnik, played by Greg Stack gave us a suitably despairing failing shop owner, and once again his timings were immaculate, although he did have a tendancy to shout just a bit too loud and I lost one or two of the words, but hey, that may have been first night nerves and I am green fly-picking here! One of my favourite parts of the show was the hilarious visit to Audrey?s woman-bashing dentist boy-friend, sadomasochist Orin, who is hooked on laughing gas. Tim Harling as Orin had me holding my stomach as I laughed at him so much that it hurt - and promising myself I will go regularly to the dentist to avoid the need for any work! With his slick-back hair and Elvis-the-Pelvis-like rubber legs as he OD?d on nitrous oxide, this was one cameo part to die for ? literally! Another moment that was outstanding for me was the duet with Audrey and Seymour, Suddenly Seymour, with the voices of the two actors combining sensationally, sending shivers down my spine. This is a small cast musical with just nine actors, ? but there were seventeen characters listed, eight of them being played by Ioan Havard ? or Dani O?Harva ? or Aaron Divah ? or..... Just as well there were only eight as I think they may have run out of anagrams ! Well done Ioan! But we cannot miss out the star of this show... Audrey II herself. She is such a big operation that there have to be two people working in sync to bring her alive. In this case, the back-breaking job of operator was awarded to Richard Evans and the voice of Audrey II by a startlingly James Brown-like Mark Khutan, who gave us that wonderful, deep throated long anticipated ?Feed Me!? These two worked really well together as I am sure that there was no way that they communicate with each other. The Alan Titchmarsh of the show, director Lloyd White, has to be proud of his propagation as once again, HAODS has grown a sturdy example of fine theatre that will live in memory of the Kenton cloche for a long time. It is a shining example of theatre at its best. I apologise for the gardening analogies but I, like Seymour, just could not resist! RS Little Shop of Horrors runs from 13th ? 19th November, at the Kenton Theatre, New St., Henley, RG9 2BP. Tickets; Adults £14; Children all performances £7. Thursday and Friday evening at 7.45pm and Saturday 6.00pm. Box Office opens from 11.00am to 3.00pm ? 01491 575698 or book on line at www.kentontheatre.co.uk. Running time including interval two hours. HAODS

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And the cheers and applause went on and on...... Under Milk Wood, a review

Written by Chairman

Monday, 21 November 2011 21:42

Whilst in that euphoric half sleep in the darkest before dawn, I was there. I was there in Llareggub, that sleepy little Welsh sea-side village of less than five hundred souls and three quaint streets and black dab-filled sea, where the one place of worship with its neglected graveyard is of no architectural interest and bugger all happens. Dylan Thomas? words pulsing rhythmically through my mind, backed softly by Polly Garter singing wistfully about her long dead lover rocked me gently awake. For for a few short hours the night before, I had been privileged to hear the story of Under Milk Wood by the Welsh wizard word-smith who has woven such a story in words around this sleepy back water of life that has enthralled audiences for almost sixty years. The words simply stay with you ar hyd y nos ? all through the night. Llarregub is, of course, Bugger all backwards and for just two nights, Henley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society gave spellbinding performances of this classic tale in their intimate performance space, The HAODS Studio. The dreaming, the scheming, the drinking, the dead and the living all portrayed with graphic clarity by the members of the Society. The story of Under Milk Wood was actually the play within the play for it was the Pontypridd Repertory Amateur Thespian Society ? The P.R.A.T.S - who had won the a competition in 1954 to broadcast their reading of the play at the BBC Wales studios in Cardiff. I have seen it as a full stage play, but this was a unique way to stage it, for Thomas actually described it as ?A Play for Voices? and that is exactly what we were treated to, as we were transported back to those heady days when radio was in its zenith and sound effects were created live with an array of implements including a very convincing cock ? crow that came from somewhere among this talented cast! The cast were all reading from their scripts, which I thought at first would be distracting, but of course, in a radio broadcast, they do read from their scripts. I soon discovered that it was not distracting at all and I could simply close my eyes and drink in the rhythms and rhymes as though I was back 1954 listening to a radio broadcast. They even managed to get around the fact that the children in the play could not turn up as they were ill with measles and in quarantine and the fact that one member of the cast was obviously an Englishman! The fourteen strong cast deftly played the sixty plus characters demonstrating a deep understanding of the text, thereby wringing out every humorous moment and every moment of pathos. This was a well drilled cast who had taken their jobs very seriously. They are too many to mention by name, but I have to pick out one or two for special mention, Gareth Saunders, who played the PRATS? aptly-named Treasurer, Dylan Bevan, also gave us the voice of the narrator ? ?First Voice? and the Rev Eli Jenkins, his delicious soft Welsh tones drawing us into the word-painted-picture aided deftly by Richard Evans playing Aneurin Idris-Williams taking the part of the Second Voice with equal verbal dexterity. The blend of these two voices was simply a masterpiece. A third voice was introduced for some of the longer narratives, played by the token Englishman, Geoff Atkinson as Quentin Ormerod ?Thomas, the Artistic Director at BBC Wales, which I felt worked well and gave the audience light and shade. I was especially impressed by Brian Head who as Meredith Edwards played Blind Captain Cat. This actor had the best line in the play when remembering his lost love Polly Garter, and begs her to let him ?Shipwreck in your thighs?. What was so impressive was that Brian is actually blind and therefore was the only one who had to learn his lines. The rest of the cast were all of equal dexterity switching from character to character moving from one microphone emblazed with the Prince of Wales Feathers to another which kept us on our toes. The whole production was accompanied by Anne Edwards on a very in-keeping accordion and again, the sounds she produced were a perfect fit with the production. What was also a perfect fit with the production was a highly amusing programme (there were not enough of them though!) and a rendition of Ar Hyd y Nos, the beautiful Welsh ballad lead by the director, Julie Huntington ? who was also the PRATS director, by the way, and of course finally a rousing chorus of the Welsh National Anthem that had the by then very emotional Welsh in audience (and there were quite a lot!) on their feet raising the roof with descants and harmonies. HAODS ? or the PRATS for that matter, were left in no doubt about the success of the production for the applause and cheers simply went on and on and on .... Congratulations to you all on such a moving, funny, entertaining and thought provoking evening. If you missed it, I feel sorry for you... but I was there...... Robert Sterling HAODS

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Bad Boy Dylan will lift the spirits of the Welsh

Written by Chairman

Monday, 21 November 2011 21:35

All the Welsh people may still be holding their heads in their hands after the result in the Rugby World Cup last week...(they were robbed!) the subject is taboo at rehearsals for the up and coming performance of Under Milk Wood, but Henley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society are hoping that Bad boy Dylan Thomas?s most famous work will lift the spirits not only of the Welsh community but also of any English fans who want to turn out to see and hear the production of this legendary work of literary art. Dylan?s omniscient narrator invites the audience to listen to the dreams and innermost thoughts of the inhabitants of an imaginary small Welsh village, Llareggub (which is bugger all spelt backwards). He paints the pictures so graphically in words the listener is left in no doubt as to what is being described. The classic characters include the acid Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard, relentlessly nagging her two dead husbands; Blind Captain Cat, reliving his seafaring times; the two Mrs Dai Breads; one a gypsy temptress and the other something of a currant short of a Welsh cake, Organ Morgan, obsessed with his music; and Polly Garter, pining for her dead lover. Later, the town awakens and, aware now of how their feelings affect whatever they do, we watch them go about their daily business. Actor Brian Head, who was recently blinded during an operation to remove a tumour, has not let a small thing like being blind get in the way of his enjoying himself. He has recently won a couple of blind golf tournaments and is shortly off to climb a mountain! So playing Blind Captain Cat was the obvious next step. He is able to bring true depth to the old sea-dog, haunted by the ghosts of his long dead crew. HAODS have set their production back in 1954 ? just about the same time as the first broadcast of the play ? actually in a radio studio, so we see the company of actors turning up to perform live to the nation ? but what else is going on within the company? Find out on the night! So Mae hen wlad fy nhadau! ? get your flags out, its no fourth place for this production ? it is definitely a gold medal winner! Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas is playing at HAODS Studio, New St, (Adjacent to the Kenton Theatre) Henley on Thames RG9 2BP (Parking in Waitrose Car Park) on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 October at 8.00pm. All seats are just £7 making this a truly economical night out. Refreshments available. HAODS

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Spring Show, The Musical - Jack The Ripper - Readings and Auditions

Written by Chairman

Monday, 31 October 2011 21:52

HAODS 90th ANNIVERSARY SPRING PRODUCTION, 2012 THE AWARD WINNING Jack The Ripper ~ The Musical by Ron Pember and Denis de Marne Readings: Tuesday and Thursday 22 and 24 November. 7.30 to 10pm **** Auditions: Saturday 26 November 2011. 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm**** The HAODS Studio _________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________ For our Spring production in this, our 90th Anniversary year, HAODS has chosen Jack the Ripper, the Musical, by Ron Pember and Denis de Marne. You may think this is a bit of a macabre choice, but although it does have its obvious dark side with the subject matter, there is a lot of fun in the show. Set in an East End Musical Hall Pub, The Steam Packet in 1888, this intriguing show, which has just enjoyed an award winning tour in the States, centres around the infamous murder of five women in Whitechapel, which is now written into English folklore. The story is told in ?real time? through song and satire through the music hall songs, some nineteen musical numbers in all. All cast are on stage 90% of the time and is packed with memorable songs and dances with parts for all ages, so with lots of opportunities for singers and dancers alike, including a ballet sequence, this is a true Society show. However, for all its fun, it brings home the fear felt by the local community and makes a social comment which is still relevant today. HAODS last produced this show 16 years ago and performed to packed houses. We have the chance to re-visit the Steam Packet and bring a fresh new look at the show, but hopefully with the same audience levels! Cast: The victims: Marie Kelly (tart and music hall entertainer) murdered 9 November Lizzie Stride (tart and runs a boarding house) murdered 30 September Annie Chapman (tart) murdered 8 September Polly Anne Nicholls (tart) murdered 31 August Catherine Eddowes (tart) murdered 30 September Liza Pearl Martha Tabram Frances Cole Montague Druit (social reformer) Chairman of the Steam Packet show/Sir Charles Warren Daniel Mendoza (Gang leader) Dinky Nine-Eights (gang member) Bluenose Stack (gang member) Slop Wallace (gang member) Lord Overcoat ( dirty old tramp) Police Sergeant Coles. P.C. Bogey P.C. Farty-nine Holy Joe (salvationist) Queen Victoria chorus: Dockers, Salvation Army, Boozers at the Steam Packet Ballet dancers

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Under Milk Wood Full Cast

Written by Webmaster

Monday, 31 October 2011 22:28

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Under Milk Wood - A Review

Written by Chairman

Monday, 31 October 2011 21:18

And the Cheers and applause went on and on...... Whilst in that euphoric half sleep in the darkest before dawn, I was there. I was there in Llareggub, that sleepy little Welsh sea-side village of less than five hundred souls and three quaint streets and black dab-filled sea, where the one place of worship with its neglected graveyard is of no architectural interest and bugger all happens. Dylan Thomas? words pulsing rhythmically through my mind, backed softly by Polly Garter singing wistfully about her long dead lover rocked me gently awake. For for a few short hours the night before, I had been privileged to hear the story of Under Milk Wood by the Welsh wizard word-smith who has woven such a story in words around this sleepy back water of life that has enthralled audiences for almost sixty years. The words simply stay with you ar hyd y nos ? all through the night. Llarregub is, of course, Bugger all backwards and for just two nights, Henley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society gave spellbinding performances of this classic tale in their intimate performance space, The HAODS Studio. The dreaming, the scheming, the drinking, the dead and the living all portrayed with graphic clarity by the members of the Society. The story of Under Milk Wood was actually the play within the play for it was the Pontypridd Repertory Amateur Thespian Society ? The P.R.A.T.S - who had won the a competition in 1954 to broadcast their reading of the play at the BBC Wales studios in Cardiff. I have seen it as a full stage play, but this was a unique way to stage it, for Thomas actually described it as ?A Play for Voices? and that is exactly what we were treated to, as we were transported back to those heady days when radio was in its zenith and sound effects were created live with an array of implements including a very convincing cock ? crow that came from somewhere among this talented cast! The cast were all reading from their scripts, which I thought at first would be distracting, but of course, in a radio broadcast, they do read from their scripts. I soon discovered that it was not distracting at all and I could simply close my eyes and drink in the rhythms and rhymes as though I was back 1954 listening to a radio broadcast. They even managed to get around the fact that the children in the play could not turn up as they were ill with measles and in quarantine and the fact that one member of the cast was obviously an Englishman! The fourteen strong cast deftly played the sixty plus characters demonstrating a deep understanding of the text, thereby wringing out every humorous moment and every moment of pathos. This was a well drilled cast who had taken their jobs very seriously. They are too many to mention by name, but I have to pick out one or two for special mention, Gareth Saunders, who played the PRATS? aptly-named Treasurer, Dylan Bevan, also gave us the voice of the narrator ? ?First Voice? and the Rev Eli Jenkins, his delicious soft Welsh tones drawing us into the word-painted-picture aided deftly by Richard Evans playing Aneurin Idris-Williams taking the part of the Second Voice with equal verbal dexterity. The blend of these two voices was simply a masterpiece. A third voice was introduced for some of the longer narratives, played by the token Englishman, Geoff Atkinson as Quentin Ormerod ?Thomas, the Artistic Director at BBC Wales, which I felt worked well and gave the audience light and shade. I was especially impressed by Brian Head who as Meredith Edwards played Blind Captain Cat. This actor had the best line in the play when remembering his lost love Polly Garter, and begs her to let him ?Shipwreck in your thighs?. What was so impressive was that Brian is actually blind and therefore was the only one who had to learn his lines. The rest of the cast were all of equal dexterity switching from character to character moving from one microphone emblazed with the Prince of Wales Feathers to another which kept us on our toes. The whole production was accompanied by Anne Edwards on a very in-keeping accordion and again, the sounds she produced were a perfect fit with the production. What was also a perfect fit with the production was a highly amusing programme (there were not enough of them though!) and a rendition of Ar Hyd y Nos, the beautiful Welsh ballad lead by the director, Julie Huntington ? who was also the PRATS director, by the way, and of course finally a rousing chorus of the Welsh National Anthem that had the by then very emotional Welsh in audience (and there were quite a lot!) on their feet raising the roof with descants and harmonies. HAODS ? or the PRATS for that matter, were left in no doubt about the success of the production for the applause and cheers simply went on and on and on .... Congratulations to you all on such a moving, funny, entertaining and thought provoking evening. If you missed it, I feel sorry for you... but I was there......

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little shop pictures

Written by Anonym

Tuesday, 25 October 2011 18:12

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Sweeney Todd a personal recommendation

Written by Webmaster

Wednesday, 19 October 2011 12:32

A reputable recommendation for a night out to see a good show is always a good thing to have. Well this is one. Your webmaster went to see Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in the Sondheim musical Sweeney Todd at the Chichester Festival Theatre last night. I would strongly recommend you get a seat in one of the remaining 30 performances. Imelda steals the show with perfect timing and wonderful charcterisation. Michael Ball is a very good Sweeney, believable. Someone tells me Michael has been in other things but I can say I have never met anyone else like Sweeney on stage, or off. This version of Sweeney Todd is so good that it is one of those lifetime experiences you would be wrong to miss. So a personal recommendation from one of your web team, it is a long way to go but do so! - Sweeney Todd at the Chichester Festival Theatre.

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Readings and Auditions for Jack The Ripper, the Musical

Written by Chairman

Tuesday, 18 October 2011 23:00

Dates for readings and auditions for Jack the Ripper the Musical will be announced shortly

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HAODS 90th ANNIVERSARY SPRING PRODUCTION, 2012

Written by Chairman

Tuesday, 18 October 2011 18:28

THE AWARD WINNING Jack The Ripper ~ The Musical by Ron Pember and Denis de Marne For our Spring production in this, our 90th Anniversary year, HAODS has chosen Jack the Ripper, the Musical, by Ron Pember and Denis de Marne. You may think this is a bit of a macabre choice, but although it does have its obvious dark side with the subject matter, there is a lot of fun in the show. Set in an East End Musical Hall Pub, The Steam Packet in 1888, this intriguing show, which has just enjoyed an award winning tour in the States, centres around the infamous murder of five women in Whitechapel, which is now written into English folklore. The story is told in ?real time? through song and satire through the music hall songs, some nineteen musical numbers in all. All cast are on stage 90% of the time and is packed with memorable songs and dances with parts for all ages, so with lots of opportunities for singers and dancers alike, including a ballet sequence, this is a true Society show. However, for all its fun, it brings home the fear felt by the local community and makes a social comment which is still relevant today. HAODS last produced this show 16 years ago and performed to packed houses. We have the chance to re-visit the Steam Packet and bring a fresh new look at the show, but hopefully with the same audience levels! Cast: The victims: Marie Kelly (tart and music hall entertainer) murdered 9 November Lizzie Stride (tart and runs a boarding house) murdered 30 September Annie Chapman (tart) murdered 8 September Polly Anne Nicholls (tart) murdered 31 August Catherine Eddowes (tart) murdered 30 September Liza Pearl Martha Tabram Frances Cole Montague Druit (social reformer) Chairman of the Steam Packet show/Sir Charles Warren Daniel Mendoza (Gang leader) Dinky Nine-Eights (gang member) Bluenose Stack (gang member) Slop Wallace (gang member) Lord Overcoat ( dirty old tramp) Police Sergeant Coles. P.C. Bogey P.C. Farty-nine Holy Joe (salvationist) Queen Victoria chorus: Dockers, Salvation Army, Boozers at the Steam Packet Ballet dancers

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CELEBRITIES WHO PERFORMED AT THE KENTON THEATRE

Written by Bill Port

Tuesday, 18 October 2011 17:00

No.18 Stanley McMurtry - Cartoonist (1936- ) Stanley McMurtry ? better known as ?Mac? for almost forty years the celebrated cartoonist of the Daily Mail ? was born in Edinburgh but moved to Birmingham when he was just eight years old. At the age of fourteen he became a student at the Birmingham College of Art and in 1954 he was, like many of us, called up for National Service.. After leaving the army he became a film animator and also began to submit cartoons to various magazines. About this time he moved to the Henley area and joined the Henley Players, In January 1961, Today magazine published one of his cartoons and this was the beginning of a career as a freelance cartoonist. For several years his drawings were seen in children?s comics such as Wham! and Buster and he was, at the same time, a regular contributor to Punch. In 1968 he joined the Daily Sketch where he adopted the pseudonym ?Mac? and, when the Sketch was absorbed by the Daily Mail in 1971, ?Mac? was also absorbed and soon became the regular Political and Social Cartoonist. His style has been described as ?apolitical? but ?Mac? himself says ?My philosophy is simple; I?m not just making a social or political comment, I?m also making people laugh.? In 2008, ?Mac? revealed that he had, for many years, included a portrait of his wife somewhere in his daily cartoon, sometimes in the ripples of a puddle, floating in the clouds or tangled in a hedge. Stanley McMurtry appeared in several of the Henley Players productions but he is probably best remembered for his portrayal of Carnoustie Bligh in Sailor Beware, performed at the Kenton 4th ? 7th February 1959. Bill Port

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Up Close and Personal ? The Show Must Go On - A disaster turned to triumph!

Written by Chairman

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 14:57

Ever woken up with a bad hair day? This is how HAODS chair, Julie Huntington felt when she heard the news at the eleventh hour that the first in the season of ?Up Close and Personal? with a West End performer might end in disaster when she heard that the billed star, Jodie Jacobs, had gone down with serious throat problems. With Jodie?s opening night in Rock of Ages at the Shaftsbury Theatre looming in just two days time, doctors had ordered her to bed. Thus, HAODS were potentially left with a stage without a singer! However, enterprising musical director, Andy Smith called in several favours and not only turned up trumps with a replacement star, but he managed to pull four out of the hat! The evening was rescued by James Milton, who was nominated for best Actor for his role as Marius in Les Miserable, Poppy Carter, who has recently played opposite Keira Knightley in Children?s Hour in the West End, Stuart Armfield, whose credits include Gad in Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat and Samuel in Pirates of Penzance and Helen Petrovna, who swore to us that she was ?only a dancer? despite having played Cosette in Les Miserables, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors! The stars chatted casually with the audience, sharing personal information and some funny anecdotes about their performances ? more often than not about things that had gone wrong and how situations were rescued! The slick performances of solos, duets and ensemble numbers were rehearsed at Andy?s home in the afternoon and with just one run through at 6.00pm the artists were ready to perform at 8.00pm. The show was a resounding success, just going to prove the true professionalism of the stars that Britain is lucky to have gracing the stages in the West End. An enthusiastic audience were also treated to some comic songs from little known musicals by HAODS member, Ian Head and some songs from James Gwynne and Sally Rowlands who are playing the lead characters of Seymour and Audrey in their up-coming musical, Little Shop of Horrors, which will be performed at the Kenton Theatre 13 ? 19 November (Kenton box office 01491 575698) Watch out for the next Up Close and Personal ? this time starring James Gillan, which will be held in the Studio on Sunday 23rd October at 8.00pm. Box office number for all Studio productions is 07514 054384.

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Under Milk Wood - Cast

Written by Chairman

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 14:54

Under Milk Wood By Dylan Thomas Cast Gareth Saunders First Voice Dylan Rev Eli Jenkins Richard Evans Second Voice Aneurin Idris -Williams 3rd Neighbour Mr Cherry Owen Child: Billy Swansea Johnnie Crito Geoff Atkinson Huw Ormerod Thomas Third Voice Willy Nilly Utah Watkins 5th Woman 4th drowned Child: Ricky Rees Child Brian Head Blind Captain Cat Meredith Edwards Old Man Jack Black Myfanwy Bournon Polly Garter Gwenllian Bevan Wife Gossamer Beyon Miss Myfanwy Price Lily Smalls Child: Maggie Richards Krystle Hall Rosie Probert Gwyneth Thomas 2nd Neighbour Mrs Dai Bread Two 4th Woman Little Girl /Matti Richards Child: Gwennie Nansi Diamond Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard Dilys Davies Another Mother Mrs Organ Morgan Bessie Bighead 2nd Woman Robert Watkins Nogood Boyo Dilwyn Evans 3rd Drowned Fisherman Mr Ogmore Child: Little Gerwain Dicky Sheila Green Mrs Beynon Ceridwen Roberts Mrs Willy Nilly 4th Neighbour 1st Woman Mary Ann sailors Basil Evans Dafydd Hughes Evans the death (Dav-ith) Voice of Guidebook Mr Pritchard Lord Cut Glass 5th Drowned A Drinker Frank Auger Mr Waldo John Glyn Jones A Voice Butcher Beynon 2nd drowned Child Jackie with the sniff Cherry Tyer Mrs Cherry Owen Olwen Owen 1st Neighbour 3rd Woman Mae Rose Cottage Our Sal Andy James 1st Drowned Geraint Griffiths Dai Bread Mr Pugh Preacher Sinbad Sailors Jeni Wood Waldo?s Mother Mair Rees Mrs Utah Watkins Mrs Pugh Mrs Dai Bread One 5th Woman TBC Mr Mog Edwards Ianto Morgan Organ Morgan (Yan-to) Little Boy Waldo Child: Tommy Powell

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HAODS 90th Anniversary Celebrations

Written by Webmaster

Wednesday, 12 October 2011 12:45

The President, Chairman and Committee would like to extend a personal invitation to attend HAODS’ 90th Anniversary Celebrations Sunday 16 October 2011 HAODS through the ages ~ 5.00pm to 6.30pm ~ The Studio See an exhibition of memorabilia for as far back as we can remember! and afterwards a Gourmet Gala Buffet ~ Hotel du Vin with some surprise guest stars! £20 per person RSVP by 1st October 2011 - Includes Buffet & welcome drink Julie on: hunting311@aol.com Cash only bar available Dress Code: True theatrical style; Glitz, glam, feathers and fur!

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Love and romance theme at Sing Speak Be performance

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Saturday, 03 September 2011 13:29

AT a concert last Sunday, Liz Balmford’s “Sing Speak Be” students performed for family and friends at the HAODS Studio in New Street, Henley. Taking place the night before Valentine’s Day, the theme for the evening was “love, romance and heartbreak”, so the students sang their way through musical theatre favourites like I Could Have Danced All Night, Someone To Watch Over Me and Take That Look Off Your Face. They also regaled the audience with chart ballads such as Make You Feel My Love, The Weakness In Me and Dream Catch Me, which had the audience sighing with appreciation. In her performance coaching practice, Sing Speak Be based in Sonning Common, Liz teaches singing to adults and coaches youngsters for drama school auditions and musical scholarships. By staging regular concerts in tandem with her singing lessons, Liz hopes to boost the confidence of her students. Liz says: “As a performer, you make rapid progress if you get the chance to perform in public, so I like to stage concerts to give my students this opportunity. The simple act of standing in front of people changes your performance — and the courage it takes can increase confidence, impacting on all areas of life. “This concert was a chance for my students to share their progress with their peers and to experiment with new material in front of a friendly audience.” For more information on training with Liz, visit her website www.singspeakbe.com Extract from the Henley Standard (http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=880332)

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Head for Llareggub

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Saturday, 03 September 2011 13:25

Extract from the Henley Standard: (http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=972130) IF you possess an authentic Welsh accent and love Dylan Thomas, go along to The Studio in New Street, Henley (next to the Kenton Theatre), on Wednesday, September 7. Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society will be holding readings and auditions for its planned performance of Under Milk Wood at 7.30pm. The performance will take place in The Studio on October 28 and 29. The production will take the form of actors performing the classic in the radio studio in 1954. But there is intrigue around the actors, to add to the tension of the production! HAODS is presenting this piece as part of its initiative to bring low-cost, high-quality drama to Henley. So, if you fancy yourself as a bit of a Richard Burton and would like to challenge the sun to “wipe its shoes...” you are welcome to go along to the readings and auditions. The piece requires a considerable number of characters and there will be quite a bit of doubling up, so only one character need be auditioned for. For more information call Julie Huntington on 07831 546047.

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HENLEY Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society is proud to present the first in a series of monthly co

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Saturday, 03 September 2011 13:24

Extract from the Henley Standard: (http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=972123) HENLEY Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society is proud to present the first in a series of monthly concerts, An Evening With... Each month they will be presenting a leading lady or gentleman from London’s West End performing live, up close and personal in their brand-new theatre space, The Studio, as part of their drive to bring low-cost high-quality entertainment to Henley. HAODS invite you to be among the first to witness the best of British musical theatre singing in this intimate setting, without the glitz and glamour (and some might say the safety net) of a West End production. The performers will be displaying their true, raw talent, demonstrating just why they are at the top of their profession. The evenings will be totally informal, so there will also be the opportunity to chat to the artiste at the end of the show. The first special guest to visit The Studio on September 25 at 8pm is Jodie Jacobs, who is currently starring in the new musical Rock Of Ages in the West End. Jodie has also played played the leading roles of both Scaramouche and Meat in We Will Rock You, Eva Peron in Evita, Serena in Fame, Audrey in Little Shop Of Horrors, Marcy in I Love You Because, Joanne in Rent, Emily in State Fair and as a lead vocalist in Songs For A New World and Jest End. Other leading roles include Grizabella in Cats, Fantine in Les Miserables In Concert, Rusty in Footloose, Holly in TheWedding Singer and Brenda Bly in Brenda Bly, Teen Detective. Accompanying Jodie at the piano will be Andy Smith. Andy has been musical director for such West End productions as The Lion King, Cats, We Will Rock You, Buddy, Aspects Of Love, Les Miserables In Concert, Thriller and Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He has also worked on many other musicals and productions around the world including Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors, Martin Guerre, Legally Blonde, and Phantom Of The Opera The HAODS Studio is next to the Kenton Theatre in New Street, Henley. Tickets are £8 in advance, £10 on the door. Call the box office on 07514 054384 .

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A personal note from Simon to HAODS Stage Whispers

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Friday, 02 September 2011 09:53

A personal note from Simon in response to the review in Stage whispers that went out yesterday. "Thanks for the glowing review. I am so sorry not be with you for the AGM - Godspeed to Nansi - and see you soon - All the very best Simon."

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