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.

Newspaper Article - The Henley Standard - W/E 30th October 2009

Imagine being at school and suddenly your teacher bursts into a rousing chorus of Great Balls of Fire!! Well, that is exactly what reception class pupils at Highfield School in Maidenhead were treated to when Claire Wallis landed a part in Henley Amateur Operatic Society's production of the cult musical, Return to the Forbidden Planet at the Kenton Theatre in November.

Claire, who not only teaches Reception Class but also runs the extended day drama group, is said to be over the moon to be playing the part of the Science Officer, Gloria in this quirky musical which throws together 1950's science fiction, fake Shakespeare and the muscle of early rock and roll.

Claire has been performing since she was eleven years old and was accepted at Redroofs Theatre School in Maidenhead, when she was fifteen but was unable to obtain funding to go. However she has never given up on her dream of performing and loves being involved with HAODS, having recently been elected to the committee.

Hello, my name is Nicoletta Hartin.

I am delighted be to be part of the Henley Drama Operatics Society. I have been involved in HAODS for one year now (where does time go when you are having fun?).

From the age of six years old until now I have always loved acting, dancing and singing (which is what I love doing in my spare time), and I am willing to carry that on to reach my future goal which is to become a famous actress.

Myself, I have been in the first season of the recent ST.TRINIANS film (played as an extra and had a line to say) As soon as I got to the audition the director asked me to play a 'chav', haha, so must say found it a challenge playing a role that I thought I would never have considered, living in Henley, but eventually got through it. Had great fun meeting all the stars such as Colin Firth, Russell Brand and even Steven Fry himself. Four months ago had another filming session but this time it was to do with commercials for dentistry, and on the 11/12th of October I even starred in a recent advert clip that is being held on 25 channels such as BBC 1, ITV 3 etc..., Must say thoroughly enjoyed playing as a POSH Tottie on the train scene.

Plans are hotting up for the newest musical in town! Earlier this month, the Raffles of Singapore publicity panel chaired by Julie Huntington met with Ama Guron of the Alzheimer's Society to put together a plan of action for the November 2010 project.    Ama is the events co-ordinator for the Alzheimer's Society and is promising a galaxy of stars for the Gala performance to be held on 13th November 2010, including John and David Suchet, Fiona Phillips and Kevin Whately, who stared in the original production in Singapore in 1979.  It will hopefully be a glittering occassion with dinner at Phyllis Court to get the guests in the mood.   The Sunday matinee will be hailed as the "Singapore Gala" when the Singapore Society will attend - hopefully in traditional dress.    Plans are afoot to cast the principles early, as there will be many opportunities throughout the year to publicise the show, which is essential because of the fact that this is very much an unknown musical.   There are several candidates for director, and the lucky person will be being announced very soon, Watch this space as this production is going to be very exciting  for HAODS!

WAVE OF DEATH Henley couples forced to flee for their lives Published on 31 December 2004 

http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/archive.php?id=1195174045   

TWO Henley couples had to run for their lives after the tsunami, which has devastated countries bordering the Indian Ocean, wrecked their beach bungalows. Barrie and Jennifer Scott and Jim and Val Stoner were about to have breakfast when the giant wave struck the Bangtao Lagoon Bungalows in Phuket, Thailand, where they were staying. the wave cascaded through the resort, which is located on Bang Tao beach, a maid saved their lives by stopping them from running towards an area that was later devastated. The Scotts climbed on to the roof of a hut to avoid the water and the Stoners saved themselves by climbing up a water tower. a text message to a friend, Mr. Scott, a training consultant, wrote: “Did not feel the earthquake but witnessed the tidal wave first hand. We’ve got no clothes, no passport and no tickets. We are very lucky. Many bungalows around us were destroyed.” The Red Cross said the death toll from the Boxing Day disaster could rise to more than 100,000 people in 12 countries. was caused by a huge earthquake, which measured 8.9 on the Richter scale, just off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The Scotts, from St. Andrews Road, and the Stoners, were staying in a modern bungalow which had only been built recently. But many people staying in older huts, where the family have stayed previously, were killed. 

My Lords, Lardies and Jellybeans! What a wonderful evening of monumentally majestical magical momentous nostalgia was brought to you by the highly talented, ageless aristocracy of articulate HAODS artisans (artistes?) on Saturday 10th October in the Green Room. With just a touch of youthful endeavour and enthusiasm from the juvenile section... the evening was action packed... from Aspidistras to zzzz -all-night caffs, humour, horror, horticulture and songs, the HAODS Old Tyme Music Hall evening had it all and more! 

Saturday, 5th September 2009 

Rosalie Raymond once again opened up her house for a wonderful evening.  A delicious buffet was served with great singing to the accompaniment of our Angela.

Jan and Martin would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who  sent cards, flowers, presents, emails, telephone calls and huge support over the last nine months, during Martin's recent illness and subsequent treatment. This was so appreciated and meant so much to us. Martin is progressing well and life is getting back to some normality. Sending love to you all. Jan

A glass of wine and lots of cheery chat preceded the Annual General Meeting held on Monday 28th September in the Green Room at the Kenton Theatre, Henley. The meeting was chaired by Vice President and Life Member, Nansi Diamond, abley standing in for President Simon Williams, who had unfortunately been detained on stage at the National Theatre!

As the sun beams down on us this week, what could be better than watching a bit of The Bard outdoors!?

After acclaimed (and albeit soggy!) success, Black Widows Productions will once again be taking over the grounds of the Sue Ryder Hospice, Nettlebed to bring you one of Shakespeares wittiest comedies, Twelfth Night.

So pack up your picnic basket (grounds open from 6pm, 12:30 Saturday 24th June 2009. "Curtain up" at 7:30 (2pm for Sat. Matinee) and soak up the atmosphere before being entertained by a talented and multi award winning cast.  (chairs are provided and a full bar is available)

Twelfth Night is sharing it's profits with the Sue Ryder Home so come along and enjoy yourself  and do some good at the same time. Don't forget your sun cream/umbrella (delete as applicable!)

On Wednesday, 24 June, the writers of Raffles of Singapore will be presenting the musical about the life of the visionary Sir Stamford Raffles to Henley Operatic. The presentation is at the Green Room of the Kenton Theatre, Henley at 7.45 to 8.00.  

 Among those attending will be Sally Tunnicfliffe, who produced the original production and is now a producer in Perth, Western Australia.  In addition, Lesley Staples, who played Agatha, one of Raffles's sisters in the original production, will be present.  Lesley was one of the calendar girls in the famous film, Calendar Girls, and is currently over from the USA, fliming in the UK.

On to Cornerstone Theatre at Didcot where Jan Beyts and Geoffrey were among the nominations for best performer. Gareth's Superman appearance was nominated for 'Best Theatrical Moment'.

At the Unicorn, Abingdon, it was non-competetive but the Adjudicator chose our play as one of just three to do a repeat performance on the last night. And Superman's entrance was one of the nominations for the Colin Dexter award for 'Best Theatrical Moment', the sole award given at Abingdon.

Finally, at the Corn Exchange, Wallingford, we were one of the three plays nominated for all-round best performance.

NATIONAL OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION
LONDON REGION

Society    ;    Henley Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society
Production    ;    FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Date        ;    24th April 2009
Venue    ;    The Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames
Report by    ;    Barrie Theobald, Asst.
NODA Representative - Area 13

Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and book by Joseph Stein, set in Tsarist Russia in 1905....It is based on Tevya and his Daughters (or Tevya the Milkman) and other tales by Sholem Aleichem.

Have you ever bought a new coat, only to leave it in the wardrobe in favour of your old, snug favourite that you have loved and trusted for years? This is the case with Raymond Burton and the part of Tevye, the Dairyman in the award winning musical, Fiddler on the Roof, because Raymond is a serial Tevye. Henley Operatic and Dramatic Society were more than delighted when Raymond accepted the role - this being the sixth time that he has played Tevye, slipping into the character like putting on an old pair of shoes. For his part, he is humbled and privileged to once again be playing the part of his old friend, Tevye.

The story, which is based on reports of real incidents at the time, centres on Tevye, the local milkman and father of five daughters, at a time of political unrest and turmoil in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Well its Easter week and the Easter Bunnies are as busy as ever except this time they are producing NOT reproducing...! And, of course, the end product is HAODS Fiddler On The Roof, with a strong cast, some old and some new faces. Our 'New' (to us anyway) Director Diane Haylor together with MD Marc Pizer (of West Side Story fame) and Choreogeapher David Parsonson have crafted an emotional piece of theatre for your delectation with a strong and quite topical storyline plus some great songs: Sunrise, Sunset; Tradition, and of course If I Were a Rich Man (dibbee, dibbee, dibbee, dibbee, Do...Oh sorry..Karaoke not included!) Following our recent successes with West Side Story and Titanic~The Musical, you may need to actually book in advance to avoid disappointment! So if you have not got your tickets ring the Kenton Box Office now!! (01491 575 698)

You may have heard the exciting news that our Autumn production is to be Return To The Forbidden Planet, based loosely on Shakespear's The Tempest. Some great parts for all ages and nostalgic rock songs to really get you going... so come to the information days and see for yourselves (details later. Ed).

Our Festival Play, Happy Birthday Me, (written, and abridged for us by Simon Williams and directed by Nansi Diamond) is coming along nicely and will have it's first showing at the Kenton Festival 5^th ~ 9^th May. Come along to the whole week (Cheap tickets!) as Colin Dolly the Adjudicator is an act in himself and his comments are always pithy and entertaining and there is such a variety of shows to be seen.

We still need a few more volunteers to be Marshalls for the HAODS Fun Run on May 4^th (Spring Bank Holiday Monday.) approx 10am to 12 noon...then to pub for helpers and the first round is on us! Ring me if you can help...it really is FUN!! (07786 620 622, or tjrymer@live.com)

As I am now more permanently in East Anglia this is likely to be my final year in office (7 years in total... ‘and it don't seem a day'...etc) We are seeking new committee members to continue the organisation and planning necessary to keep HAODS running and to hopefully maintain the reputation we have so rightly earned over the years... So don't be shy put yourself forward (some experience preferred but mentoring and ‘training' will be available) Give me or a Committee Member a ring, e-mail, or text...or whatever you use these days!

An finally, don't forget our terrific Web Site www.henleyoperatic.co.uk and see just how much is going on...Some great social events, play readings and of course SHOWS!

See you at Fiddler On The Roof...!?

All the best Terry Rymer