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.

Our evening commenced with an exhibition of memorabilia in the Studio.
and what a stunning display we were greeted with! It was like walking
into an Aladdin's cave. Even the lighting had been arranged to the
best effect. It was quite breathtaking the scale of the items that we
had on show. It was a shame that we could not keep the exhibition open
longer, but the Studio is a busy place and we had to take it down on
Monday 17th, but not before quite a few other members had a good browse
through the albums and programmes. We have to extend a great big thank
you to Mary Dickinson, Rosalie Raymond, Hazel West Manning and Pauline
Smith, Masterminded by Ann Jenkin. The flower arrangements were
provided by Jan Beyts. I understand that there were other helpers
including Judy Yeates, so thanks to all of them and any one I may have
forgotten, please forgive me. They have all worked SO hard.

We then moved on to the Hotel du Vin for a glass of champagne and
further catching up with old friends, listening to the smooth sounds of
Anthony Witt playing songs from the musicals that we have done in the
past. After the buffet, we were treated to an excerpt from our new
show, Little Shop of Horrors. Thanks go to the members of the cast who
performed for us. Our President, Simon Williams, who was unable to be
with us because of his West End commitments, sent us good will wishes
and Bill Port, the theatre historian, gave us a potted history about
the founding of the Society and proposed the toast to the to the
ongoing health of the Society.

The final treat was a magnificent celebration cake, which was made by
new member Susan Rusman

The design was of red theatre curtains with edible gold comedy and
tragedy masks on a dramatic black background. The cake was lemon
madiera with a lemoncello butter icing... hmmm deeelicious! A big thank
you to Susan for providing "the icing on the cake" making the evening a
roaring success.

No gathering of HAODS members would be complete without a rousing
chorus of a song or two and who better to lead us in this than our very own
Curly, Big Alan Elston himself.  Turning out at the last minute, he helped us
raise the roof with a wonderful chorus of Oklahoma! Well done Al!!

So here’s to the big 100 !  I wonder if we will get a card from the Queen?

Julie Huntington  

For one night only, Raymond Burton at the Studio (formerly The Green Room) behind the Kenton Theatre.

"WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?"

A broad mixture of show songs, popular ballads, old classics, rock 'n roll with some audience participation . Along with a super Pizza supper.

Tickets £10 (including Supper) pre-booking necessary from Ann Jenkins on 07712 003133.

BAR -  RAFFLE  - All proceeds to the HAODS Kitchen Fund

DING DONG MERRILY ON HIGH

It is that time again put the date in your diary.  Monday 13th December - 8.00 p.m. in the HAODS Green Room.

We will supply the mull wine but if you could bring some mince pies.

Come and sing your heart out and have start Christmas with friends.

 Have you got your tickets yet for the Halloween Murder Mystery Evening-Saturday, 30th October - 7.30 p.m. in THE HAODS GREEN ROOM

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.