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.

I just cannot believe how the time has slipped past so quickly - it only seems a moment ago that it was August and I had loads of time to sort out my Christmas shopping and now suddenly, turkey time is on us and I am frantically scooting around the shops trying to find the bargains! However, our annual Carol Concert is usually the signal that Christmas has truly arrived. It is the signal that festivities should start and I had better start wrapping! Once again this year's event was hosted by Big Al Elston who, as always, conducted the procedings with his usual panache to ensure that a good time was had by all. The refreshments were organised by Ann Jenkin and her team and the mulled wine and mince pies flowed! Thanks go to all involved in the event. We are very lucky to have our own rehearsal space and not to have to hire halls to produce our shows. It is the home of HAODS and to this end I made a very special announcement at the concert that those of you who were not there may not have heard. The Committee have some really exciting plans for later in the year, but is also seriously looking into giving the space a really fundamental make-over in order that we can maximise its use. The first step is on this make-over road is to re-name the room. So from now on what was known as our Green Room, will from now on be called "HAODS Studio", which will reflect far more the image of the society. We can now really begin to get our name "out on the street" as there will be a new sign on the front door ! You can follow our plans and see details of new events on the website and on Twitter! - So get tweeting! It is in real time, so urgent news is available straight away! It only remains for me to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Julie Huntington

Follies auditions were held on Saturday and Sunday the 4th and 5th of December. Thanks to the audition panel, there was a real atmosphere of fun and even the most nervous auditionees were put at their ease. Both days were very relaxed and enjoyable, and included some real highlights, such as watching our men do the tango! There were also some surprises from long standing members of HAODS, who took the opportunity to show off their skills, and it was a real showcase of the breadth of talent we have in our society. A very strong cast has been put together, and this show promises to be a very exciting one indeed!

Judy was keen to get started, and rehearsals are already underway. Just a couple of days after the auditions, the cast got together for the first time to read through the lib and to familiarise themselves with the script. Follies does not have the most straightforward storyline, and Judy expressed the importance of the song lyrics in telling the story of each character. Follies gives even smaller characters a real insight into their past, and the opportunity to share it with the audience with some truly show-stopping numbers. All the lyrics were read out along with the dialogue, and the cast was able to get to grips with their characters - and also pick up some tips on maintaining an American accent throughout the production!

With a few more rehearsals booked before Christmas, there should be plenty of time to complete the groundwork before rehearsals start in earnest in the new year - assuming the snow holds off that is!

A complete cast list is available on the Follies page of the website, and this page will be updated with show information as rehearsals progress. It is still not too late to get involved, so if you fancy becoming a part of this production, please contact director Judy Yeates on 0118 9470242.

Some of you may have noticed the HAODS Twitter feed on the front page
and the news page of the website (bottom right). This is taken from our 'presence' on Twitter which is run by Carlos Miguel. He regularly posts little snippets of information about what's on regarding HAODS. Twitter is a good method of posting brief headline information; each tweet can only
be 140 characters in length so it is particularly useful for newsflashes.

We already receive the benefit of having the Twitter feed as this feed, in combination with other sources, always means that something new is being posted on the front page of our site. This is good for our Google ranking which in turn means that more people see HAODS.

Carlos asks if more people could please have a look at the live twitter feed and requests that you become 'followers'. Simply put, a follower is someone interested in what HAODS has to say. A twitter feed is live and appears to the second so it is a good place to receive the most up to date gen. To become a follower simply log onto Twitter and visit this page: http://twitter.com/HAODS. Then click on the 'follow' button. You can even think of your own HAODS tweets and pass them on. The more tweets we can post, the better this tool will be.

Like any society, HAODS needs to attract new members and to encourage new audiences. Carlos and Dean work tirelessly to find new ways to promote the society, but they need the help and support of other society members. If you are interested in becoming a website or twitter contributor, or if you have any ideas for electronic communications or publicising the society, then please contact Julie Huntington and find out how you could become involved. She would be delighted to hear from you!

At 2.30am on Sunday 21st November, Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society were having a party! Having just finished a highly successful run of the UK Premiere of Raffles of Singapore, which netted over £9k for the Alzheimer's Society, HAODS seem to be inexhaustible. Even whilst they were still partying, they were planning another ambitious project  for their next show, Stephen Sondheim's Follies which will be performed in spring 2011.

This vibrant 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 be interested in lighting or sound - or maybe you just want to get to know new people? HAODS will want to hear from you.

The rehearsal run for Follies is just beginning, so it is a great time to get involved. 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. The show tells the story of Dimitri Weissman, an impresario who created and ran the Broadway Follies between the two world wars. Now in the early 1970s, he has invited his former Follies girls to a reunion party at the old theatre which is due to be demolished to make way for a carpark. 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.

As well as the exciting production of Follies, they are also producing the ever popular Little Shop of Horrors in autumn 2011. If you are interested in joining the Society, don't just think about it, contact the membership secretary Martin on 07941 265 340  or through this web site by downloading a membership form. We would love to hear from you.

Jill Richardson would like to invite all HAODS members to a new venture she is working on with Bruce Smith.   The show is devised by Jill, and involves a video installation which presents twelve great paintings from the past supported by light and sound. Other familiar faces to HAODS members involved with this event are Bruce Smith who is the Audiovisual designer, Angela and Dave Pengilley who are the music experts and Ioan Havard, Jan Corby, Frank Augur who are all doing some voiceovers. They would all love to have your support.This exciting experience is called Making a Mark, and it will be held in The Old Fire Station in Henley. It runs from 7th January to 11 January 2011 and all HAODS members will be very welcome to attend any of the evenings, including the private viewing evening  (please contact Jill Richardson for details on the private view). Entry is free to all evenings but there will be a collection held during the event. This collection is to raise funds for Jeni Wood's mayoral charity The Chiltern Centre for Disabled Children. So as well as having a wonderful evening and seeing something completely different, you will also be helping to support a local charity and raising funds for very special children. We hope that as many HAODS members as possible will come along to lend their support and to enjoy this fabulous and innovative show. 

Please contact Jill Richardson on jillr@thamesinternet.com for more information. She would be delighted to hear from you.

NATIONAL OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION
LONDON REGION

Society ; Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
Production ; "RAFFLES of SINGAPORE" (UK Premiere)
Date ; Thursday 18th November 2010
Venue ; Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames
Report by ; Henry Hawes - NODA Representative - Area 13

On Thursday 18th November 2010, I had the privilege of being invited to review HAODS latest presentation, the U K Premiere of, "Raffles of Singapore". a musical by Richard Cleghorn-Brown and Ian Senior. This musical was totally new to this country and I compliment HAODS for having the courage to take this challenge on. The end result was one of the finest amateur productions I have seen in a long time. The story related the rise and fall of 'Raffles' and within the time constraints of a musical, gave a good insight into his character and life story, facts that today are little known in this country. The music score contained some wonderful numbers for both principals and chorus. I congratulate all concerned in this production and wish it all success for the future.

Alan Elston - (STAMFORD RAFFLES) - This was a commanding performance by Alan who was virtually on stage for the whole of the performance, portraying 'Raffles' from his humble beginnings, through his life's travels to his eventual demise. Here we had acting of a high standard so one was left in no doubt that one was watching 'Stamford Raffles'. Movement, diction, facial expressions could not be faulted and all this together with an excellent singing voice of power and control - Congratulations.
Michelle Wesson - (OLIVIA RAFFLES) - This young lady was a veritable find by HAODS and who made her debut with this society in the role of 'Raffles' wife, and mother to his daughter 'Charlotte'. Her feelings towards her husband was well portrayed and in particular towards her daugher, her devestation at the loss of her daughter could not have been bettered. Vocally, Michelle was superb delivering a soprano voice of power and clarity which was a joy to listen to - A superb performance.

Val Jeffries - (Mrs RAFFLES) - As the matriarchal mother of 'Raffles', Val was excellent. Her efforts to interfere in 'Raffles' career was well displayed. Her musical numbers were well sung with good diction and phrasing. Her body language was precise for both her position and period.

No.9. - Diana Dors (1931 - 1984)  Actress

When Diana Dors was very young, under school age in fact, she and her mother spent a lot of time at the cinema. They would go as often as four times a week and as a result, Diana soon became hooked on Hollywood style movies.

She was born Diana Mary Fluck in Swindon on October 23rd 1931. It was a difficult birth and both mother and child almost lost their lives. By the time she was fourteen she had convinced her parents that she wanted to be an actress and succeeded in becoming the youngest ever student at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. She excelled at LAMDA in her first year and, when a change of name was suggested she adopted Dors, her grandmother's maiden name. She dyed her hair blonde and, almost immediately, was offered small film roles. The first of these was as Mildred in "The Shop at Sly Corner" and, by the time she joined the J Arthur Rank School for young actors, she was already an established name. Her first major role came in the 1948 film "Here Come the Huggets" in which she played Diana Hopkins and, a year later, she had the leading role of Dora in "Diamond City". The film which launched her as a sex symbol in 1951 was "Lady Godiva Rides Again", in which she played the bikini babe Dolores August.

By 1956 Diana had become Britain's highest paid film star and was probably ready to make the trip to Hollywood. Bad press, however, concerning what was described as "a scandalous affair" with Rod Steiger, did not improve her popularity and a further article about her stormy marriage caused her to be denounced by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Her career went into decline. Offers of worthwhile film roles dried up and she was forced into bankruptcy. A marriage and divorce from her second husband, comedian Dickie Dawson, did nothing to improve the situation. A third marriage, to actor Alan Lake was more successful and she appeared with him on the West End stage in " hree Months Gone". This seemed to revive her career but she began to accept roles as the typical busty blonde in low-budget comedy and horror films which were a long way from the heady days of being the highest paid actress. In 1974 she suffered from an attack of meningitis which put her into a coma. Her recovery surprised her doctors but it put paid to any hope of continuing with a film career. She made several appearances on television in chat shows and panel games and as an "agony aunt" on the breakfast programme. One or two character roles in films came her way and in 1984 she had a part in "Steaming". This proved to be her last film and she died of stomach cancer on 4th May. She appeared at the Kenton from August 7th - 14th 1950 in the play "Born Yesterday".

Well, 'We did it !' 'Raffles of Singapore' has just completed its highly successful run to much acclaim. Audiences, to some peoples surprise, gave us great houses every night.  Thanks to the skilful direction of Julia Rymer and the ever  patient MD Tim Cumper plus Choreography from David Parsonson , 'Raffles of Singapore' The Project, exceeded all expectations (well except ours of course!). Writers Ian Senior, Libretto and Richard Cleghorn-Brown, Composer, were delighted with our performance of their 'Baby'. I am particularly proud as then Chairman to have brought 'Raffles' to HAODS in 2009.It was certainly a good decision!  In addition the Gala performance was attended by many VIPs including His Excellency Michael Teo, High Commissioner of Singapore and Kevin Whately of Morse and Lewis fame,who was a member of the original cast in Singapore. In addition the pre show Gala Dinner helped to raise £10,000 for the Alzheimers Society.   The show I know will provide happy memories and be a talking point for the Society for years to come. I for one will be watching developments with interest...a sequel perhaps ? I only hope that Ian and Richard will see their dream develop in the future and who knows where it may lead ? I know that all who participated in the 'Raffles Project ' will share with me the feeling of privilege to have been part of something a bit different and something that will form an important part in HAODS rich history. I would partculaly like to thank the 'Mens Dressing Room Choir' who celebrated the end of each performance  with a glass of 'fizz' and a raucous rendition of  'Meet The Gang Cos The Boys Are Here...' Long may it continue in great HAODS tradition...together with new bonds and friendships which were forged throughout the Raffles Project.... So...

Raffles is over, done and dusted,
Scenery down and set all busted,
As for the cast we've had a'Ball'
So a big WELL DONE to one and all,
As we go off to have some 'jollies',
Raffles is over, so on with... 'Follies !'
(Where's the reception ?!! )

Terry Rymer ( HAODS past Chairman/Raffles cast member)

Some of you may have already heard the news, but it is with great regret that I have to report the death of Kay Macara, who passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon,15th October,after a long and gallant battle with cancer.  She was a vivacious character and a friend to everyone: She touched the lives of many of us in the Society since her "escape" from Derbyshire some 14 years ago. I am certain that she will be remembered with great affection and very sadly missed by us all.

Her funeral will be held on Friday 22nd October. There will be a small private cremation in the morning (as per Kay’s wishes) and then we hope you can join us at Christ Church URC, 46 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AG at 2pm. There isn’t much parking at the church so I would recommend parking at the railway station car park, nearby (Station Road, Henley, RG9 1AY). 

There will then be a reception for Kay nearby at Phyllis Court Club, Marlow Road, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 2HT between 3pm to 5pm to which you are very welcome. At Phyllis Court, you can park in the Visitors Car Park and enter via the main entrance of the Club to the Ballroom, via the main lounge. Reynolds, the Club car park attendant will be on hand to direct you to the main house (right up Kay’s street!).

Kay asked that there be “no black clothes, lots of colour and smiles please. It has to be fun, please make jokes about me or against me I don’t want to stop people making me laugh just because I’m dead”. Kim and I had spent the last few years in a futile attempt to persuade Kay to dress in a calm palette. A splash of purple, if possible would represent her fighting spirit and the victory of her sense of fun over everything else thrown at her.

Kay didn’t like funereal flowers, wreaths, chrysanthemums or carnations. She asked instead that “if anyone would like to make a donation I would love it to go to Nazareth House for children with Aids in Cape Town. I would love to have gone there myself but couldn’t tear myself away from my lovely family for so long”.

You can donate in two ways; there will be a collection bowl in the church which will be directed to the charity or else you can donate online at http://www.nazhouse.org.za/give.asp. The website will also give you some information on Nazareth House.
Guy Rockingham

HAODS were lucky enough on Monday 27th September, to have distinguished actor and President of the Society, Simon Williams, chair the AGM with his usual easy manner and wit.

Around 65 members attended. It was a lively and informal affair, with reports on the previous year given by the outgoing Hon Secretary, Martin Jarvis, and on the financial situation by the Hon Treasurer, Bryan Villars. Praise was given to directors of the shows in the previous year; Michael Huntington for the raunchy Return to the Forbidden Planet and Raymond Burton for his delightfully English The Boyfriend. Congratulations also went to Claire Wallis, who directed the one act drama festival entry Ladybirds, winning the Charlotte Thomas Award at the Kenton Festival

The Society is still financially sound, but interest rates had delivered disappointing returns on monies on deposit - hardly surprising news in the current financial climate. The AGM voted to donate £1000 to the Kenton for Keeps Campaign, and a further £400 was added from Coffee mornings held by HAODS members.

Thanks were given to the committee for their hard work in the previous year by chairman, Julie Huntington, and she outlined plans for exciting social events and Green Room Productions open to the public.

Simon Williams was re-elected with an enthusiastic round of applause as President, with other Vice Presidents, who include the Mayors of Henley and Falaise being reaffirmed en-block. Life-member Nansi Diamond was elevated to Vice President by popular demand. Newcomer to the committee, Clancey Smith was nominated for Honorary Secretary and was affirmed unanimously. The outgoing Hon Sec, Martin Jarvis will remain as Assistant Hon Sec and will also take over the role of Membership Secretary. Richard Evans was confirmed as Assistant Hon Treasurer.

The new committe will again be led by Julie Huntington in the chair, and she looked forward to an action packed year ahead, beginning with the UK Premiere of Raffles of Singapore, through to the exciting show programme planned for 2011, including Sondhiem's Follies and Little Shop of Horrors.

The cast of Raffles were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to pose for pictures in the beautiful and statley Danesfield House in Henley.

Danesfield House as it stands today, was the third property to have been built in this beautiful setting, amid 65 acres of formal gardens, with views of the River Thames and Chiltern Hills beyond. The setting was enough to get all the cast who attended get into character with no problems at all!

We were able to use one of their Honeymoon Suites, which gave us the perfect venue to take pictures of the Hotel scene from the script. Unfortunately, Michelle (who plays Olivia Raffles) was unable to attend, but Jennamarie was happy to double up and take on the role of Olivia as well as her own character, Agnes, for the shoot. After several hours of hard work, we had some wonderful pictures of Raffles, his interfering family and the clerks. The shots really captured the tone and themes from the play, and will act as excellent publicity for the production.

The beautiful costumes (some of them originals from the Singapore cast) also had a big impact on the quality of the photographs - and on the enjoyment for the cast! One member, Kevin who plays Lamb (pictured), was delighted when he went searching for birds feathers in the grounds (to use as quills in the shots) and was told by a perfect stranger that he looked very handsome! He spent quite a lot of time walking around the hotel after that...

The costumes and setting produced a perfect Regency look and feel. The men really did look like Mr Darcy come to life, and the women certainly had a hint of the Bennets about them. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with some very successful results. Mark Brome, the photographer, was superb at putting people at their ease, and making us all really enjoy the experience.

The second Raffles photoshoot will be on Saturday 23rd October. Venue to be confirmed.

HAODS members have been asked to team up with members from the Singing for Pleasure group and get Christmassy early this year by lending their voices to a festive event.

The Henley Christmas Festival will be held from the 3rd to the 5th of December this year. HAODS/Singing for Pleasure have been asked to sing carols outside the Town Hall at 7pm on the 3rd as the lights go on. It is a very special moment in the festival, and a great opportunity for the society to be seen. Generally, after their official spot, the singers then sing carols around the streets for an hour or so - getting tipsier as they go due to the amount of hot toddies they can be forced to drink...

We have also been asked to sing on Saturday 5th December, when all the shops stay open for the day and festive entertainment is provided. Last year we raised £100 for Kenton for Keeps when we performed during this time, and I am very much hoping that we will achieve the same - or better! - again. We will be singing for about an hour and a half, and I propose that we sing from 12:00 to 1:30pm. I think that for variety it would be nice if we could sing Christmas songs as well as traditional Christmas carols.

I really do hope that as many members of HAODS as possible will consider taking part in this big Henley event. I would hate to disappoint the organisers, as they are very keen to have us, and it is also great publicity for the society for us to have our names in the programme, and for us to show off our talents to a potential new audience. If you are interested in joining us then please contact Rosalie Raymond, or myself on jeni@barjen.co.uk as soon as possible as we must get rehearsing soon!

Thank you for your support.

THE FOLLIES 10th to 16th April 2011

Come and join us at the preparation meetings for auditions in HAODS Green Room: 29th, 30th Nov and 1st Dec 7.45pm. Auditions: Saturday 4th Dec from 1pm and Sunday 5th Dec from 10am. First read through: Tuesday 7th December. Rehearsal nights will be Mondays and Wednesdays with occasional Thursdays for dancing. Dancers won't be required for all main rehearsals.

Follies tells the story of a reunion in a crumbling Broadway theatre, scheduled for demolition, of the past performers of the "Weismann's Follies. It focuses on two couples, Buddy and Sally Plummer and Ben and Phyllis Stone, who are attending the reunion. Sally and Phyllis were showgirls in the Follies, and both couples are having marital problems. Buddy, a traveling salesman, is having an affair with a girl on the road; Sally is still as much in love with Ben as she was years ago; and Ben is so self-absorbed that Phyllis feels emotionally abandoned. Several of the former showgirls perform their old numbers, sometimes accompanied by the ghosts of their former selves.

YOUNG CAST- aged late teens, early 20’s
The Past (1920 to 1939)
Young Sally, Phyllis, Buddy, Ben (Acting, Solo singing, Dancing), Young Stella (Singing, Dancer), Young Heidi (Solo Singing), Young Vincent and Vanessa (Dancers), Dance Chorus.

The afternoons are getting darker... The evenings are getting colder... The nights seem to be filled with unearthly wails and howls... No it's not the effects of Raffles rehearsals - Halloween is on its way! Get yourself ready for the scariest night of the year by spending Saturday 30th October at the spooky HAODS Halloween Murder Mystery in the gruesome Green Room. Dodge the trick or treaters, dig out your scariest costume and come along to be treated to a terrifying evening of Halloween fun. Even the food is frightening; guests will be served rich Blood Soup for starters, followed by a wicked Witches Platter. A glass of wine will also be included - choose the red if you dare!

Tickets are £10, and fancy dress is entirely optional. For more details and to ask for tickets, please contact Ann Jenkin on jenkinann@yahoo.co.uk or on 07712 003133.

HAODS is an extremely social society, with a wide range of events and activities open to its members. We are very lucky to have a team of people who are dedicated to organising various socials throughout the year. Other exciting events coming up are:

Club Lunch in the Green Room with lovely hosts Claire Wallis and Daisy O'Halloran. This will be held on Saturday 18th December at 1pm.

Get into the festive mood in time for Christmas with the HAODS Christmas Carol Evening on Monday 20th December at 7:30 in the Green Room.

For more details on any upcoming events please contact Ann Jenkin. Come along and join in the fun, and support your society at the same time!

Alan Elston is playing Sir Stamford Raffles in the UK Premiere of Raffles os Singapore at the Kenton from 12 - 20 November.

Sir Thomas Stamford Bingley Raffles - Man, Lover, Hero. What a fascinating man he was. When an actor takes on the role of a real life character, they have a great responsibility to accurately portray this person - especially when the character is a well known historical figure. The actor must invest a great deal of time to research the background to the story, in order to afford the character necessary depth. The combination of bringing my research, and the detail in the script together to bring this character to life has been fascinating.

His father, Captain Benjamin Raffles, was a slave-trader in the Caribbean, and Sir Stamford was born on a ship called Anne in 1781 off the Jamaican coast. Living in this environment had a profound affect on Raffles, and when he later became Lieutenant Governor of Java he began freeing slave some 20 years before slavery was abolished by law. He was just 14 when his father died, and to support himself he began working with the East India Company. Hungry for knowledge, he continued to self-educate himself, and was later renowned as a linguist and botanist, founding London Zoo. He also stopped the exploitation of the people under his administration by introducing land ownership and free trade. Initially a costly measure, but ultimately led to Singapore to become a hugely successful commercial centre in Southeast Asia.

Sir Stamford was a great man, and like all great men those around him often paid the price for his single-minded, idealistic vision that drove his success and eventual downfall. He was strong-willed but often perceived as arrogant. His ability to aggravate those around him, both personally and professionally, ultimately provoked plots to bring him down.

I hope to be able to bring out all these sides of his character with my performance!

Welcome to the future of Stage Whispers - the e-newsletter! From next month (hopefully!), all members who were previously receiving an email with an attached electronic version of Stage Whispers, will now receive an e-newsletter instead. Thanks to the hard work of webmaster Dean Beedell, we will soon be using this effective and up to date technology to distribute information to HAODS members. We are very excited about this development, and we hope that you are too!

Because of these changes, you may have received an email about a username/password for the HAODS site. This is because the tool that we are using to create the e-newsletter needs to use your email address to send it to you automatically. So, we are registering 155 email addresses in this tool, which means that 155 emails will go out in a week or so time with the new version of Stage Whispers attached.

We will send an email shortly to each of you giving you a username and password. You can use these to log onto the HAODS website if you want to. You don't have to! You can opt out of receiving the newsletter at any time, or opt back in at your leisure. It's completely up to you! You can even contribute an article if you like. All contributions are very gratefully received. You can either put them on the blog page, or email them to Samantha Fields. This is your society, and we want your help to keep all communications lively and interesting!

If you have been receiving the newsletter as a hard copy in the post, and you would now like to receive the e-newsletter instead, please let us know your email address and we will happily add you to the list.