Priority bookings will be taken on 0779 448 7822.

Director: Daphne Herbert Musical Director: Dave Whittle
Choreographer: Claire Yates

Here are the long awaited pre-audition/audition dates for the show:-

Pre-audition 1……(children only)……………….Monday 30th January 2012…..7pm
Pre-audition 2……(adults only)…………………….Thursday 2nd February 2012….7.45pm
Pre-audition 3……(adults+children)………………..Monday 6th February 2012……7pm
Pre-audition 4……(adults+children)……………Thursday 9th February 2012….7.45pm

Auditions………..(Principals + children for Oliver + Dodger roles only)………………………………………………Sunday 12th February 2012…..2-5pm

Auditions………..(Adult chorus + minor parts + children’s chorus)…………………………………………………Monday 13th February 2012…7pm

All will take place at Christchurch Hall, Malvern Rd, Cheltenham

First rehearsal will be on Monday 20th February 2012 at 7pm.

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We’ve just had a the crit report back from NODA Regional Representative Frankie Telford, who summarising line was “Congratulations everyone on a well presented, entertaining evening”

Download the full report here.

Cheltenham Operatic and Dramatic Society
The Playhouse Theatre, Cheltenham
Saturday 22nd January 2011

All aboard for this jolly 60s romp, an appetising slice of nostalgia that will foster comforting images of
sunny getaways on these cold, dark winter nights.
Fed up with the English rain, Don and his fellow mechanics head for the Med, bumping into the
glitzy and giggly Do-Re-Mi girls en route, before picking up runaway celebrity Barbara, with all the
inevitable consequences.
There are no passengers on this trip, however. Every one of the animated, 18-strong cast contributes
mightily to the vacation cause, right down to the wimpish Greek ferry steward and the inept border
guards, and it’s all driven headlong by capable anchorman Steven Bennett in the role of Don.
Michael Sheldrick as Steve again displays his remarkable talent for playing off-beat geeks, and Ria
Westhead shines as the sweet and companionable Barbara. Her touching duets with Don border on
the spinetingling. Chasing after her rebel daughter, Jo Chisholm adds considerable clout as Barbara’s
headstrong mother Stella, whilst Colin Cooper is hilarious as her hapless, henpecked husband Jerry.
Meanwhile, a toast to Chris Hannant as Cyril who delivers the best speech of the entire show, and
whose outrageous Hawaiian shirt is so loud, it makes those worn by Milton Jones look positively mute.
The band under Dave Whittle provides stable accompaniment to the legendary Cliff Richard songs,
with segues comprising some of The Shadows’ greatest hits, including Foot Tapper. Very apt – I defy
you not to, and you’ll find it equally hard to stop gazing at Michael Barwick’s impressive, life-size
reconstruction of that iconic London bus.
A few first night glitches, some occasionally flat singing and a variable sound balance were amply
redeemed by Toni Coles’ well-crafted choreography and the many spirited, harmonious ensembles, in
particular Bachelor Boy, In The Country, Do You Wanna Dance? and Living Doll, featuring an inflatable
one (honestly) that generated plenty of chuckles.
Journey’s end is the immortal title song capping a warm, witty and highly enjoyable production. Let
the CODS take you for a ride; this tour is worth every penny. I say “Yeah!”

Simon Lewis

Photos from The Scarlet Pimpernel

You can read more on the Join CODS page.