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.

Newer members of the society and visitors to the website are probably not aware that in the late 1960's, after a period of professional management, the theatre which originally opened as such in 1805, was in severe financial difficulties and in danger of closure. The members of HAODS at that time (some pictured right)  agreed to take over the running of the theatre and guaranteed payment of the outstanding debts. For many years thereafter the committee of HAODS also ran the theatre, although over the years other local residents who were not on HAODS committee became involved in the theatre management . Even now there is an overlap between the two organisations and at the present time three members of the HAODS committee are also involved as Trustees or managers of the theatre. Many other HAODS members are of course involved both as Friends of the Theatre and as Volunteers ,either Front of House or backstage.

The Campaign has already begun with some welcome generosity following a Celebrity Luncheon, With A Song In My Heart with Vince Hill, Fashion Show, Kenton Strictly Dance-athon and An Evening with Pam Ayres.  Pam Ayres supports The Kenton on BBC TV

Please help us to preserve this jewel in the crown of Henley.

Members and visitors may also not all be aware that in January this year the Trustees of the Theatre obtained from the owners of the Freehold the option to purchase the Theatre premises at the fixed price of £300,000 at the end of a period of six months I.a. at the end of July 2010. This would secure the future of the premises as a Theatre - hopefully for another 200 years - and make it possible to update and improve the facilities, both backstage and Front-of -House. 

However for this to be achieved about £350,000 has to be raised before the expiry date for the option, and thereafter further considerable funds will be required to enable work to proceed on improvements etc . To this end the Theatre Trustees have started a "Kenton for Keeps" campaign with a programme of events and money raising activities which it is hoped everybody who loves the theatre will support, either by donations, GiftAided where possible, or by running their own fundraising events.
There are more details on the theatre website and GiftAid forms can be downloaded from there if you wish or obtained in the theatre foyer.

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