Chichester Amateur Operatic Society (CAOS) was formed as a Gilbert and Sullivan society and the first performance by the society was the Pirates of Penzance on the 18th January 1911. Although still performing the occasional Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, the society became more ambitious turning to Pantomime, Old Tyme Music Hall and musicals such as Die Fledermaus, The Merry Widow, Waltz's from Vienna, Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, Brigadoon, The Boyfriend, and Underneath the Arches. With this more ambitious programme, it was decided to rename the society in 2003 CAOS Musical Productions. Our rehearsal evening is on Fridays at St Wilfrid's Church Hall, Chichester. We endeavour to cater for all ages and our current memberships spans over 60 years.
CCADS was founded in 1992 and aims to produce high quality theatre, enhance the performing skills of its members and make theatre available to those who would not otherwise experience it. We pride ourselves on the wide range of plays and musical productions we stage and to the high standard of talent and versatility within the group. CCADS supports charitable causes where possible. We currently have a membership of 40 people of all ages, and rely solely on our members and ticket sales to fund productions. Membership & Inquiries: c/o Maria Pegden 38 Snowberry Crescent, Havant, Hants PO9 2FE ccads@musicdramastage.com
Centrestage Productions Youth Theatre (CPYT) are always looking for new members – whether as an actor/actress aged between 11 and 18 (soon to be 7-18) or as part of the Organising Team / Production Team (18+). We are based at The Arch, Station Lane, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire (opposite Chandlers Ford Railway Station). We currently hold weekly evenings in addition to our two major productions a year. These sessions help with building confidence to perform in front of an audience, provide performance ‘tools’ to help. If you are in school years 7 or 8, come along on a Monday evening 1830-2030 at a cost of £2 per week. If you are in school years 9+, come along on a Wednesday evening 1900-2200 at a cost of £2 per week. No experience necessary – all we ask is that you bring along ENTHUSIASM!.
If you’re interested, get Mum or Dad – or if youre 16+, call yourself to find out more about what we do and how we may be able to help you gain more from performance.
Theres a wealth of experience in the performance and performance related activities within CPYT – take advantage of it and get involved. You never know – it may open up a whole new world of opportunities for you.
CPYT depends on the dedicated support of our many volunteers who give up their spare time to support us. Any relevant skill you may have may be of great help.
Chameleon Theatre Company has been presenting plays to the people of Chandlers Ford since 1965. We are a small company and perform and rehearse at the Ritchie Memorial Hall in Chandlers Ford. We put on four productions, including a pantomime, each year and participate in the one act play competitions staged by Totton Drama Festival and the Eastleigh Drama League. We rehearse on Tuesday evenings at 7:30 in the Ritchie Memorial Hall. In addition the cast will meet at one member's home for further rehearsal as necessary, usually on Thursday evenings. Contact us via our website or chameleons@chameleontheatre.co.uk
“I love acting. It is so much more real than life.” Oscar Wilde 1854-1900 The Cheriton Players was formed in 1961 and has since put on well over 100 productions, nearly all of them in our very own Cheriton Village Hall which, although small, can seat 80 and has staged such large-scale shows as Salad Days, My Fair Lady, Oliver! and A Christmas Carol. The Players usually stage two shows a year – one in the autumn, one in the spring – but this varies a little depending on the type of show. NEW MEMBERS Cheriton Players warmly welcome acting or backstage help from local residents of all ages in any capacity. No previous experience necessary. The Players produce two shows a year and have an active membership. If you are interested in joining this thriving group, please email us thecheritonplayers@gmail.com
Winchester If you are interested in joining please contact: The Membership Secretary, The Chesil Theatre, Chesil Street, Winchester SO23 OHU
The Chesil Theatre Company (Winchester Dramatic Society) is the premier amateur company in the Winchester area having full control of its own premises. With more than 200 members, the company produces 6 plays each year and runs two successful workshops for young people on a weekly basis during school term time. The Company also has an active social programme and, through membership of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) gives members access to national and regional training and workshops in theatre skills. We always welcome new members, and not just aspiring actors. Like all amateur groups we tend to have a shortage of those with technical skills and particularly seek the involvement of set builders and designers, lighting designers and operators, sound technicians and stage managers, property managers and wardrobe experts as well as those wishing to help with administration, box office front of house or just be supporting audience members. Contact: chesilinfo@chesiltheatre.org.uk
We are the premier musical theatre company providing high quality amateur productions for the Rushmoor and surrounding area. Our diverse range of award winning productions include some of the best and newest releases available for groups to perform, challenging and delighting our performers and audience alike. We are an extremely social and friendly company, welcoming new members of all ages to join us wherever your talents lie – whether it be in performing, directing, technical support, or any of the many interesting roles that surround a large musical theatre group.
Collingwood RSC (Random Salad Company) is one of the longest standing Amateur Dramatic Societies in the area, existing in one form or another for over 60 years. Based in the Millennium Hall, HMS Collingwood, we put on two main shows a year. One in the spring for the RNTA Drama Festival, and the other near Christmas: our renowned Pantomime. The group is made up of service and civilian members, within HMS Collingwood and the local community. Whether you want to strut your funky stuff on stage, or you have the urge to do lighting, sound or stage-hand; experienced or novice - we want you! There is also the opportunity to be part of the team that go to the Edinburgh Festival, also travel the country with WARCRAFT (stage-fight display) and LUDIUS GLADIATORIA (re-enactors). WARCRAFT and LUDIUS have now merged into one group, still doing the same things, but known as "DEED OF ARMS". "The world is but a stage and us actors upon it... be ot ro ton be ot, tath si eth nestquoi"
Copythorne Amateur Theatrical Society was founded in 1995 by the members of the Copythorne branch of the Royal British Legion. Through three shows each year, the society aims to provide an interest to individuals, entertainment to the local community and support to local charities. The majority of our members live in the local area, but some come from as far as Hythe, Romsey, Southampton and Winchester. We are always looking for new members (particularly adults) both on and off stage. All you need is enthusiasm and an ability to enjoy yourself! If you are interested in joining C.A.T.S. please contact us chairman@copythornecats.com
Formed in 1996, the Crofton Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) produce at least 2 shows a year; a comedy and a Christmas pantomime. CADS perform at the Crofton Community Association, Stubbington, and rehearse on Thursday evenings from 8pm to 10pm. We have about 20 members, some with considerable experience. Most live in the Stubbington area. Our objective is to perform imaginative productions for the enjoyment of the local community. In 2006, our 10th anniversary year, we performed the wartime comedy 'Allo 'Allo, set in Rene's cafe. It was both a sell-out and also very enjoyable. The pantomime was Sleeping Beauty. Rehearsals: Thursday evenings 8-10pm and additional rehearsals when required. Crofton Community Centre Stubbington Lane, Stubbington, Fareham, Hampshire Contact via our website or social media
Founded in 1982 we are a large and successful local amateur dramatics group with members drawn from the North Hampshire and West Surrey areas. We perform a variety of different productions including comedies, plays, pantomimes, farces, musicals and old time music halls. We also arrange various social activities for members of the group including play readings, theatre visits and social evenings and quizzes. Contact: via website or Twitter
We are based at The Reading Rooms, Reading Room Lane, Curdridge, Southampton, SO32 2HE Curdridge is near Botley
CADG is a very friendly group, enjoying their pastime and reaching for the highest possible standard. Based in Curdridge, Hampshire, our members come from the surrounding towns and villages, including Curdridge, Botley, Bishops Waltham, Hedge End, Eastleigh. Productions are twice a year at the Curdridge Reading Rooms - end of March and end of November. Audiences are entertained to a mixed repertoire of comedy and drama. Recently, the Group has branched out into pantomime and the last production was a musical extravaganza. Shakespeare evenings are also popular with the members as well as theatre outings and other social events. Rehearsals are held three months before a production and are at the Curdridge Reading Rooms every Monday and Thursday starting at 7.45pm. If you love theatre and would like to be part of our team why not come along one evening. You do not have to be an actor, there are plenty of opportunities to be part of the backstage crew, front of house, or just support our audience. More details can be found on our website www.curdridgedrama.co.uk. We are also on Facebook.
Dalian Players operates primarily within the east side of Southampton. Dalian Players is acknowledged as a welcoming and friendly group, and are involved in a number of formal drama plays, informal pantomimes and a leading entertainment arm of Woolston Methodist Church. We generally rehearse on a Tuesday evening 7.30-9.30pm and a Thursday evenings on the run up to a show 7.30-9.30pm. We sometimes rehearse more depending on the needs of the production and have more rehearsals during the actual production week. We traditionally stage two to three main productions a year. A pantomime in January/February (4 performances) and a play in May (3 performances) and in October (3 performances) each year. We have also been involved with other community groups,Woolston Festival, Rising Stars to name a few.
Founded in 1933, Denmead Operatic Society is now one of the leading amateur operatic societies in the South of Hampshire, dedicated to promoting the operatic and dramatic arts in the region, through performances, concerts and workshops. The Society specialises in the works of W.S. Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan, but also encompasses some of the less frequently performed operettas and musicals of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In recent years, we have branched out into other areas such as revue style shows, old time music hall and concerts of favourites from the West End and Broadway shows, and mainstream musicals, such as Fiddler on the Roof and Anything Goes. Seventy-five years on, Denmead Operatic Society continues to flourish with some 40 members, many of long-standing and considerable experience, and others of the younger generation who we hope will continue the high standards which have been established and maintained over the years. We rehearse every Tuesday evening from 7.30 to 10pm at Horndean Junior School, Five Heads Road, Horndean. Why not come along and try us out? denmead.operatic@hantsweb.org.uk
The Downland Singers is a group of enthusiastic singers in our 18th year, based at Denmead Community Centre. Recent productions have earned us two accolades of excellence from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) Southern Area for 'The Best of Gilbert and Sullivan' at the Havant Arts Theatre, and our Christmas concert "Christmas Adventure" at the Hambledon Village Hall. In addition to our annual productions and carol concerts we readily accept invitations to give concerts in our community for charitable purposes. We support a local charity each year - examples are Rowans Hospice, British Kidney Patients Association, Cancer Research UK, RNLI, Guide Dogs for the Blind, and this year we have chosen Mencap. We are also able and delighted to provide an ensemble for important occasions like Birthdays, Anniversaries and Weddings, subject of course to availability and agreement of costs. We meet on Tuesdays 7:30pm. To 10:00pm at The Denmead Community Centre, School Lane, Denmead. We welcome applications for membership. Our current membership is 30 and we encourage youth to join. If you are interested in becoming a member you will be invited to attend a Tuesday evening rehearsal at Denmead so that you can get a feel of what we do before making any commitment. If this hasn't put you off, you will then be asked to provide a simple audition (designed to minimise any terror the word 'audition' may imply) to ensure that you have a basic level of musical and presentational ability. The individual standards amongst members is quite varied, with some able to produce solo and ensemble performances at the drop of a hat and others quite happy to remain as chorus singers. We meet for 40 weeks a year and there are membership, music and uniform costs.
Eastleigh Operatic and Musical Society (EOMS) has been entertaining audiences for many years with a wide variety of musicals, operettas and musical comedies, and we now perform two full stage shows a year at The Point, Eastleigh. We are a lively and friendly group and new members of all ages are always welcome, whether you would like to join the Society as a chorus member, a potential principal, to help back stage or front of house or even produce, direct or play the piano at rehearsals! Our two productions take place in the Spring - usually in May - and in the Autumn - usually in November. Productions run for one week. We rehearse throughout the year, with a break in the Summmer, rehearsals take place at 7.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the new community centre (aka Guide Hut!) in Hoddinott Road, Eastleigh (Google map). We also run a junior group - Footlights Youth Theatre (formerly EOMSJS) - for young people from the age of 8 to 18. Rehearsals for the Junior group normally take place on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The society was originally known as Eastleigh Orchestral and Operatic Society and performed its first show, The Mikado, at Eastleigh Town Hall (now The Point) in 1937. Over the years, the society has performed operettas, modern musicals, pantomimes and concerts, and taken part in charity productions and carnivals. EOMS is an amateur company, affiliated to the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA)
East Worldham Players
East Worldham
we have been running for three years and put on several shows in the village hall and local pub.
Emboîté Dance School is based in North Hampshire, with classes catering for communities in and around Tadley and Sherfield Park, Basingstoke. Our philosophy is to promote passion for dance, music and artistry. We take pride in engaging our members to support and encourage one another, creating a positive environment in which everyone can 'fit together'. Contact: info@emboite.co.uk
Mixed voice development choir - a choir with a difference. The Emsworth Community Singers started out as The Meridian Singers and after a change of direction, became a Vocal Development Group - now named The Emsworth Community Singers - to emphasise the focus on Community. This group is different from the usual amateur group in that it offers development opportunities for novices as well as accommodating more experienced singers, and under the umbrella name of Meridian Music, incorporating "The Joy of Singing" - we offer training schemes and performance opportunities all through the year, ranging from a charity concert - to a full blown musical or opera production. With the emphasis on promoting all round personal well-being; health, and balance, linking up with other amateur organisations in the process, generous donations from all concerts and activities are forwarded to The Musician's Benevolent Fund and a recent Concert held on 11th September, 2010 at St James' Church, Emsworth, raised £1,400 for the hospices (St Wilfrids and The Rowans Our current membership is 50 and increasing - but after 60 there will have to be awaiting list, and new members can join our secondary group for Development whilst they wait to join the main choir. Do you sing? - Then you are welcome to join us. Music to suit all tastes and styles. Opportunities to learn and progress, singing for pleasure and performance. Meetings on Wednesdays 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. at International House, Pastoral Centre, High Street, Emsworth. No audition required, no experience needed and no need to read music. Approximately 3 events every year
Award winning ENCORE Youth Theatre is Winchester’s only youth theatre specialising in musical theatre. We want everyone who joins us to achieve their greatest potential; growing as unique individuals as they develop both performance and inter-personal skills. All of this takes place in a fun, safe and welcoming environment with a group of young people who, very quickly, become "family". Our greatest aim is that when someone leaves ENCORE, they do so with the best of friends and the happiest of memories. Every year, we build a vibrant company of approx. 50 young people, aged 11+, recruited from schools and colleges around Hampshire. Our members, old and new, become a dedicated team who want to work hard and enjoy themselves creating the best shows possible which leaves their audiences cheering for more. As well as performing on-stage, members have the chance to get involved behind the scenes by becoming part of our youth committee. They help run the company in areas such as production, marketing, fundraising and finance. Auditions are held in July and rehearsals take place every Sunday from September until February. Production Week is at the Theatre Royal Winchester during February half term. ENCORE is a Community Interest Company. All adult supporters, many of whom work in the professional theatre, give their time for nothing more than the love of, and a commitment to, the ethos of the company. Contact: info@encoreyouththeatre.co.uk
Excelsis is a chamber choir founded in 2007 in Grayshott, on the Hampshire-Surrey border. We rehearse at King Edward's School, Witley, on Wednesday evenings. Contact: membership@excelsis-choir.co.uk
