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 written by Julie Huntington
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? And come together it did in spectacular fashion for the Koncert for Kay on Saturday 21st May, a memorial tribute to our friend Kay Macara, who sadly passed away last October after a long, valiant battle with cancer.
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 and was was persuaded to even tread the boards "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 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.
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