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Coming Events
| A Dickens of an Evening Fri, Feb 17th, @8:00pm - 10:00PM |
| Club Lunch Sat, Feb 18th, @12:00pm - 02:00PM |
| A Dickens of an Evening Sat, Feb 18th, @8:00pm - 10:00PM |
| Club Lunch Sat, Mar 17th, @12:00pm - 02:00PM |
| Jack the Ripper - The Musical Wed, Apr 18th, @7:45pm - 10:00PM |
This is the Chairman's Blog! This is where the current chairman and members of
the committee will dump their thoughts on a hopefully regular basis. You can also send your own content directly here and it will appear automatically in the blog. Any particularly good blog entries, if they have a photo, may appear in the News Section. Note: send all photos in a separate email. Please read our commenting policy here .
the committee will dump their thoughts on a hopefully regular basis. You can also send your own content directly here and it will appear automatically in the blog. Any particularly good blog entries, if they have a photo, may appear in the News Section. Note: send all photos in a separate email. Please read our commenting policy here .
| A personal note from Simon to HAODS Stage Whispers |
| Written by Anonym |
| Friday, 02 September 2011 09:53 |
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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." |
| Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood - calling all Welsh decendants! |
| Written by Chairman |
| Friday, 05 August 2011 20:27 |
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Our second Studio production will be a rehearsed reading of Dylan Thomas's most famous work. An all-seeing 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). They include Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard, relentlessly nagging her two dead husbands; Captain Cat, reliving his seafaring times; the two Mrs Dai Breads; Organ Morgan, obsessed with his music; and Polly Garter, pining for her dead lover. Later, the town wakes and, aware now of how their feelings affect whatever they do, we watch them go about their daily business. Ideally we should have an all-Welsh cast, Reading/audition evening will be on Wednesday 7th September in the Studio at 7.45pm! Remember, this will be a rehearsed reading, so books will be allowed on stage and the characters will be portrayed by adding wigs or hats. Rehearsals will be every Wednesday from 7th to show date. There are a host of characters so cast will be doubled and even trebled up! Thisis an hilarious example of Thomas's work should not be missed. Production dates 28 & 29 October. 8.00pm both nights - All seats £7 - Telephone booking line - 07514 054 384 |
| Dogs Life Poster |
| Written by Webmaster |
| Saturday, 18 June 2011 23:12 |
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| Raffles and Olivia at the East India Club |
| Written by Chairman |
| Saturday, 18 June 2011 12:37 |
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Following HAODS's extremely successful production of Raffles of Singapore last November, a new show, Raffles and Olivia, by Richard Cleghorn-Brown and Ian Senior premiered on 9 June in London at the famous East India Club in St James's Square. Sir Stamford Raffles worked for the East India Company and the East India Club is a descendent so the venue was particularly appropriate Raffles and Olivia is extracted from the full show and uses dialogue and songs but with minimal characters and a Narrator, played by Terry Rymer who links the scenes and later becomes Astell, the chairman of the East India Company. The only three other characters involved are of course, Stamford Raffles, played by Alan Elston, Olivia, played by Daisy O'Halloran and Farquhar played by Ian Head. This new adaptation runs for 55 minutes and is once again directed by Julia Rymer directs with Tim Cumper as Musical Director. The East India Club welcomed the cast warmly and the evening began with a Singapore Sling reception. After the show, dinner was served which was attended by the company in costume. Feedback has been very good and three other well-known London clubs have expressed interest in taking the show. Sadly the production of the show planned for the Studio on 19th June has had to be cancelled due to the unavailability of some cast members. However, let us hope that a new date can be found to stage Raffles and Olivia later in the year. |
| Untitled |
| Written by Chairman |
| Wednesday, 15 June 2011 23:15 |
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| The dog's tale makes a clean sweep! |
| Written by Chairman |
| Wednesday, 15 June 2011 23:14 |
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The round of one act play festivals continues and the cast of A Dog?s Life acted their hearts out for adjudicator Graham Bill and the audience at the Unicorn Theatre in Abingdon on Wednesday 8th June. The tiny stage seemed to enhance the production somehow, giving even more of an enclosed feeling to the production and concentrating the mind on what would, in real life, be tightly spaced dog kennels. It was an anxious time Friday night until the notice was given that the dogs were to be invited back on Saturday night to the gala evening, to perform last, crowning the evening. Once again, the performances by all the cast were superb and the audiences were both amused and moved by the story. There are only two awards at Abingdon, the Punters Choice and the Colin Dexter award for the best dramatic moment. Imagine the delight when we realised that Colin Dexter, who is president of the ODN was there in person to present the awards. Imagine how loud the cheers were when the results were announced ? Punters Choice to HAODS for A Dog's Life and The Colin Dexter Award to HAODS for Ben?s death scene The award was made even more significant when it was discovered that the Adjudicator is also a dog trainer so he was well versed in dog behaviour! So, a clean sweep for HAODS, scooping all the prizes at Abingdon. This means that there is even more reason to catch the show at one of the only three remaining performances. Wallingford Drama Festival on Friday 17th June, (although this may be too late for this publication) and of course, at the drama double bill in the Studio, where we are teaming up with The Henley Players for an unforgettable night of drama on 15 & 16 July at 8.15pm. At just £7 for all tickets, this is a must-go, full value evening out. For tickets, please call the booking line on 07514 054 384 Julie Huntington ? Chair ? and Ginger! |
| Kay Macara |
| Written by Chairman |
| Tuesday, 24 May 2011 22:34 |
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| Koncert for Kay - A Night of Rememberance to Remember |
| Written by Chairman |
| Tuesday, 24 May 2011 22:32 |
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Don?t you just love it when a plan comes together? - and come together it did in spectacular fashion for the Koncert for Kay, a memorial tribute to our friend Kay Macara, who sadly passed away last October after a long, valiant battle with cancer. Months of preparation, planning, cajoling, begging and borrowing culminated in a sensational variety concert on Saturday 21st May at the Kenton Theatre. Kay moved to Henley from Derby in 1995 and became a member of HAODS the instant she saw our outdoor production of A Midsummer Night?s Dream on the lawns at Thamesfield House, Wargrave Road. She went on to volunteer to do pretty much everything else except tread the boards. However, she was persuaded to this also ? just the once ? in a Henley Players Festival entry when she played a prostitute ... she said she felt at home with her part! But that was Kay. Always ready with a quick quip and a helping hand. Saturday night?s concert was masterminded by Ann Burley ? including the very bad spelling of the word ?koncert? and directed into shape by Heather Simpkin ? who incidentally was also the director of the production of A Midsummer Night?s Dream that first enamoured Kay to the Society. The show was a collection of Kay?s favourite pieces and favourite people doing things that they did best, which resulted in a superb evening of entertainment, with dancing, singing, poetry, even a magic act as well as anecdotes from some of her close friends, including Anthea Redmond, Jan Beyts and Julie Huntington. Many HAODS members took part in the show together with guest artists Mad Cows and Englishmen (formerly Lend Us A Tenor), Bruce Gomersall, Naomi Stapleton, Marney Beyts and many more. Steve Ludlow hosted the show with skill and wit and along with Nansi Diamond, paid a touching final tribute to our dear friend. A reception with Kay?s favourite pink champagne and some delicious canapés was organised in HAODS Studio beforehand by Penny Gilbert and Kate Carter-Windle and the room was decorated with her favourite wild flowers by Kate and with her favourite colour ? purple - by Bruce Smith. It was a sumptuous affair and a great opportunity for old friends to meet up and chat to cast members before the ?koncert? began. Present at the reception were Kay?s daughter Kim, along with son-in-law Guy and her two beloved grandsons, Charlie and Jasper. Husband ?Mac? was also in attendance as well as a host of friends from Derbyshire, who had made the journey especially to attend the concert ? sorry - ?koncert?! Kay had a generous heart and the evening not only raised spirits, but also around £3000 which will be shared between two of her favourite charities, Kenton for Keeps, and Nazareth House, an orphanage run by nuns in South Africa, where she visited frequently. The funds were boosted by a raffle with some wonderful prizes donated by local businesses, all with a Kay theme ? chocolates from her favourite shop, champagne from Phyllis Court, tickets for the Goodwood Festival of Speed, reflecting her love of motor racing, a day?s boat hire from Hobbs, where she worked for several years and many more generous prizes. Since the show Ann and Heather have been inundated with messages of congratulations and thanks from audience and cast members alike. A grateful thanks go to all those involved who gave their services for free which helped boost the profits. It was a memorable evening in honour of an unforgettable lady. |
| The cast of A Dog's Life |
| Written by Chairman |
| Tuesday, 24 May 2011 15:30 |
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| Dogs? Double Bill Replaces Dangerous Corner |
| Written by Chairman |
| Tuesday, 24 May 2011 15:23 |
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It was with regret that our first Studio production, Dangerous Corner had to be cancelled owing to unforeseen circumstances. However, audiences will instead be treated to an award winning double bill, with both the Henley Players and HAODS staging their Kenton Festival Plays. The Henley Players? delightful offering of Roman Fever, netted both actresses, the trophy for best actress, whilst HAODS? A Dog?s Life was not only nominated for best actress, best actor and best set but walked away with the trophy for the outright winners of the Festival. Roman Fever tells the story of two old friends who revisit some old haunts in Rome and reminisce about the past; however, simmering resentments and jealousies raise their heads and what is exposed from the conversation is a startling revelation. Kate Lindsey directed Jenny Haywood, Liz Mckewan and Peter Dayton to victory. A Dog?s Life is set in a dogs? home where four hopeful pooches vie for the attentions of a lady visitor who wants to take a loving dog home as a companion. This delightful piece has great depth and will have you belly-laughing as well as wiping away a tear. Directed by Wendy Huntley, the dogs in the show are played by Gareth Saunders, Claire Wallis, Julie Huntington and Roger Redfern, whilst the humans by Karen DuPlessis, Paul Cockfield, Val Jeffries and Leah Corlett. A dogs? double bill will run for two nights, 15 & 16 July at 8.15pm. At just £7 this is a must-go evening out. For tickets, please call our booking line on |
| MACBETH |
| Written by Clancey Smith |
| Friday, 20 May 2011 11:52 |
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The Oxfordshire Theatre Guild in association with RSC's Open Stages Project is presenting Macbeth, Shakespeare's tales of witchcraft murder and tyranny on the following dates: Tuesday 12 - Friday 22 July (with the exception of Sunday) at 8 pm and at 2 30 pm on Saturday 16 July. The stage will be set in Trinity College Gardens, Parks Road entrance. Post code for sat nav: OX1 3PN. There is parking on Broad Street and St Giles. Tickets may be purchased in advance from Tickets Oxford www.ticketsoxford.com 01865 305305 or in person at the Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street Oxford OX1 2LW and at the venue before each performance. If you have special access requirements please book by phone or in person. Ticket price is £15, concessions £11, children under 16 £9 (£12, £9, £6 for matinee) Buy 7 tickets get one free. Please support the Guild if you are able to in what will surely be a very exciting production. Clancey Smith |
| Kenton Drama Festival congratulations to Wendy Huntley |
| Written by Webmaster |
| Wednesday, 11 May 2011 14:38 |
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Many congratulations to Wendy Huntley,cast and crew for their excellent production of "A Dog's Life" by Pam Valentine, which last weekend won the award for best play. Congratulations also go to StageWorks on achieving no less than three awards. Clancey Smith |
| Congratulations HAODS! Winners of the 40th Kenton Drama Festival, 3 ? 7 May 2011 |
| Written by Chairman |
| Monday, 09 May 2011 12:43 |
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Julie X Julie Huntington Chair HAODS    |
| Congratulations HAODS! Winners of the 40th Kenton Drama Festival, 3 ? 7 May 2011 |
| Written by Chairman |
| Monday, 09 May 2011 12:41 |
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The time lag at the end of the evening seemed interminable to anxious directors and actors as they waited to hear the final results of the 40th Kenton Drama Festival. Adjudicator Jill O?Hare from the Guild of Drama Adjudicators had diligently scrutinised some dozen one act plays and delivered very helpful, detailed criticism on each one. Being the 40th Anniversary this was a very special festival, so HAODS were determined to put up a good showing in their production of A Dog?s Life, written by Pam Valentine, which charts an evening in a dog rescue centre. We are given a unique insight into the lives of the dogs and hear what they have to say about the humans and their previous owners. Of course, the humans in the play only hear the comments of the dogs as barks and growls, but the audience are treated to the true transaltion! Director Wendy Huntley had assembled a strong cast which included Roger Redfern as Old Ben, the tramp?s dog, spoiled, overweight French Poodle, Fifi, was played by Claire Wallis, once again reviving her French accent. Fritz, the German Shepherd guard dog ? well, a cross actually, much to the delight of Fifi, was played by Gareth Saunders sporting a true Schwarzenegger accent. Ginger, the yappy, chewy puppy who is obsessed with food was played by Julie Huntington who was suitably irritating, demanding to know if anything mentioned was food! The two humans, the warden and a lady visitor, were played by Paul Cockfield and Karen DuPlessis. These two had a difficult job as they could not react to the words the dogs were saying and had to ignore the hilarious comments made by the dogs. The play gives plenty of opportunity for some great characterisations and by the end of the performance, the audience all believed they truly were dogs! I am delighted to report that A Dog?s Life received no less than four nominations ? Claire and Julie for best actress, Gareth for best actor and the set for best set and to top it all was the outright winner of the Festival, winning the Kenton Drama Festival cup. Thanks go to all involved including John Huntley and Keith Jeffries who have stage managed and Val Jeffries who has assisted on the production and of course, Leah Corlet who was the stage dressing with a difference. This show has gone together in under three weeks, owing to the proximity of the production of Follies, so winning is no mean fete. Congratulations to all involved. We wish them the very best of luck at the next performance which will be at the Didcot Drama Festival. If you missed it at Henley, please make an effort to see it at one of the other festivals. HAODS will be performing on 4th June at the Cornerstone in Didcot (a superb venue) 8th June at The Unicorn in Abingdon and 17th June at the Corn Exchange in Wallingford. Julie X Julie Huntington Chair HAODS |
| Dangerous Corner |
| Written by Chairman |
| Wednesday, 27 April 2011 00:19 |
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This is just to remind everyone that we are holding the readings for JB Priestley's Dangerous Corner on Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th in the Studio at 8.00pm. It is a small cast of just seven and is going to be a very important production for the Society as it is to be our first Studio Production. It will be produced in the round, so will be a very intimate and exciting project. The audience will be very much involved and a great atmosphere can be achieved. Please come along and support this special event. The list of characters is on the website... simply click on the poster! |
| Dangerous Corner - a solo play |
| Written by Webmaster |
| Tuesday, 12 April 2011 10:36 |
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Dangerous Corner was J B Priestley's first solo play, opening at the Lyric Theatre, London on 17 May, 1932. It is set in a drawing room. Dinner is over and four women in evening dress are listening to the end of a radio play, in which a gun is fired, a woman screams and there is the sound of a woman sobbing. A voice announces that they have just been listening to The Sleeping Dog by Humphrey Stoat. The women begin to discuss the play and then move on to the suicide of the brother-in-law of one of the women. Their men folk then join them. It is a cozy, seemingly relaxed group. The conversation continues. Then one of the women notices a cigarette box in the room and makes a fatal remark, fatal because it triggers a whole sequence of shocking revelations about the characters and their relationships with each other and with the dead man. They are shown to have turned a dangerous corner which has led to the truth - the sleeping dog - coming out. The action progresses to a climax in which, as in the radio play, a gun is fired, a woman screams and the sound of sobbing is heard. We then return to the beginning of the play itself complete with the end of the radio play. The conversational changes are substantially as before. The same character as before notices the cigarette box. Will the same dangerous corner be turned again making matters even worse? This time will the sleeping dogs of hell be unleashed? This first of Priestley's so-called Time plays (others being Time and the Conways and I Have Been Here Before) may be no more than a clever box of theatrical tricks but as an ensemble piece it packs a powerful dramatic punch, with some depth in the characterization. There are references to drug addiction, bisexuality and pornography which makes it very relevant today, and was quite startling for the play's period. |
| Follies cast list update |
| Written by Webmaster |
| Tuesday, 12 April 2011 10:16 |
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Peter Dayton – Party Guest (Please note Peter is no longer the Chauffer – as stated on the cast list. Peter has been on stage for many, many years, playing a variety of doctors, judges and all things official. He is enjoying escorting the delightful Heidi to this on-stage party, meeting all his old friends. |
| See the latest images from Follies in the gallery |
| Written by Webmaster |
| Monday, 11 April 2011 00:17 |
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See the latest images from Follies in the gallery here: http://www.henleyoperatic.co.uk/gallery/35.html |
| Make way for the Follies |
| Written by Webmaster |
| Monday, 28 March 2011 16:54 |
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Excerpt from the Henley Standard - http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=843724 HENLEY Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society are celebrating, having just finished a highly successful run of the UK premiere of Raffles Of Singapore, which netted more than £9,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. seem to be inexhaustible. The group has already started planning their next ambitious project — Stephen Sondheim’s Follies. Sondheim’s Broadway hit musical Follies is truly a show for all ages, with a string of nominations and awards to its name including best musical, best score and best lyrics and has been nominated as the ninth most popular musical. Many famous stars have played in it on Broadway including Angela Lansbury, Lee Remick and Carol Burnett. The show tells the story of Dimitri Weissman, an impresario who created and ran the Broadway Follies between the two world wars. Now in his early 70s, he has invited his then stars to a reunion party at the old theatre which is due to be demolished to make way for a car park. The “Beautiful Girls” with their partners, now 30 years older, arrive at the party where the old theatre conjures up memories and ghosts of their past. The glamorous, wealthy Ben and Phyllis and the unsophisticated Buddy and Sally arrive at the reunion trying to recapture the happiness of their youth. Comparing it with their present unhappiness, their heightened emotions magically transform the old theatre, which sweeps them into a cathartic, chaotic sequence called Loveland which brings them to their senses and makes them realise they have to create happiness with what they have. The story is told through the wonderful lyrics and music of Stephen Sondheim. As well as the exciting production of Follies, they are also producing Little Shop Of Horrors next autumn. If you are interested in joining the society contact the membership secretary Martin on 07941 265340 or visit www.henleyoperatic.com where you can download a membership form and book tickets for the shows. This society is always looking for new members — whether it is treading the boards or in the engine room that is the back stage of any production. If you do not want to act, maybe you have a particular talent for wardrobe or make-up — or you may even be interested in lighting or sound, or can help out in other ways. Readings and auditions are coming up very shortly for the show to be staged next April and will be held in the HAODS Green Room at the Kenton Theatre in New Street, Henley on the following dates: |
| Risk pays off as HAODS performs premiere |
| Written by Webmaster |
| Monday, 28 March 2011 16:48 |
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IN June 2009 when Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society chose to produce the UK premiere of an unknown show about Sir Stamford Raffles, they knew they were taking a risk, but there is no doubt that it has paid off. Raffles Of Singapore is a dazzling vehicle for period costumes, excellent acting, singing and choreography, all framed within a historically true and romantic story. The story charts the life of Stamford Raffles as he rises from obscurity as a clerk in the East India Company to Lieutenant Governor, founds Singapore without permission and is ruined financially by the company for doing so. Excerpt from the Henley Standard - http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=841620 This is a feel-good show with memorable music by Richard Cleghorn-Brown and Ian Senior. The musical director, Tim Cumper, leads an excellent band. The show develops the character of Raffles, ably performed and sung by Alan Elston who has a commanding presence from the moment he walks on stage. He is brilliantly complemented by Michelle Wesson as Olivia, his wife. She has real strength of character but breaks down after the death of their eight-year-old daughter, Charlotte (the character of Charlotte is double-cast and is played by Charlotte Yates and Sarah Robinson). I defy anyone to have a dry eye when Olivia sings her cradle song for her dead child. Her tormented lament is almost unbearable. The villain of the piece, William Farquhar, provides an excellent vehicle for Raymond Burton’s acting skills. He has a particularly fine voice but uncertainty with his dialogue produced some moments of unwanted hesitation, though this could have just been down to nerves on the night. There is also plenty of fun throughout the piece. Raffles’ two pretty sisters, Agatha and Agnes (Samantha Field and Jennamarie Smith), giggle their way deliciously through flirtations with the boozy Colonel Gillespie (Ian Head) while their mother (Val Jeffries) tries desperately to keep them in order. David Parsonson’s choreography is most effective and there is a delightful candle-dance by children from Emma-Jane Taylor’s performing arts school, StageWorks. The whole show was pulled together most imaginatively by director Julia Rymer who is to be congratulated on her vision of an unknown show. From the warm applause and the buzz after the show, it is clear that the audience really liked it. Some West End producers were in the audience at the gala opening. Can it go forward to the West End? Time will tell. Raffles Of Singapore runs until November 20 at the Kenton Theatre, Henley. For tickets, call the box office on (01491) 575698 or call (01491) 573887. I.S. |
