Past productions & more on the illustrious history of the society..

A very large range of musical shows have been produced by KODS. Here is an example of some of them! The Societies first production was Gilbert & Sullivan's "Patience", produced in 1916. This was followed by "The Gondoliers" in 1917, "The Mikado" in 1918 and "Trial by Jury/HMS Pinafore" in 1919. Through the intervening years, the list includes shows seen less often today, such as the "Arcadians" (1931) the "Gypsy Princess" (1933) "Floradora" (1935) "Rose Marie" (1936) "Good Night Vienna" (1937) to name but a few! There was a gap between 1940-46 during WW2. But in 1947 it was business as usual, with "A Waltz Dream", followed in 1948 by "The Lilac Domino"..KODS turned their hands to "Oklahoma" in 1955 to be followed by several return visits to this popular show in latter years. Other Rodgers & Hammerstein shows include "The King & I" (1966), "The Sound of Music" (1971) &"Carousel" (1973). Cole Porter shows have seen the light of day on occasions, with "Kiss me Kate" brushing up our Shakespeare in 1974 and 1993. "My Fair Lady" was staged in 1972, 1980 and 1995. Click here.. to see photos and articles. Shows of recent times have included "Follies" (1997) "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1998), and "Guys & Dolls" (2004) "Me and My Girl" staged at the Rose Theatre, 3rd-12th March 2005.Click here.. for or pictures & more information. In 2006, our Musical was "My Fair Lady", which played to full houses on each occasion at the Rose Theatre, between 2nd - 11th March 2006. Click here.. to view photos of the show and information about the cast and synopsis. There are also details about the Rex Harrison/Audrey Hepburn film. The lively musical, "Anything Goes" is was another sell out - staged at the Rose Theatre between 1st -10th March 2007. To view pics, cast list and synopsis, please click here. 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' was staged at the Rose Theatre 6-15th March 2008, with a matinee on the 15th; it played to full houses and received a glowing review in the local press. Kathryn Knight made her debut in the leading role as Milly, with Darren Richards as Adam. The show was produced by Nigel Preece. To view the archive page with cast details and pics, click here. Dramas of varying natures - (though predominantly comedies) have been produced annually since 1979 drawing on the wide comedy talents of the members of the society. Plays produced each year since 1979, have ranged from "Not Now Darling" (1979) "No Sex Please We're British" (1994), to the wonderful "Noises off" complete with revolving set in 1996..Which reminds me..has Chris ever found that plate of sardines?.. Of recent years, our offerings have been "Out of Order" (1999)..requiring a previous Chairman to hang from a window and then a door..and act dead for half the show, keeping strangely quiet apart from the odd groan! "Not Now Darling!" returned in 2000 to be followed by "A Chorus of Disapproval (2001). "The Mating Game" (2002), "Stepping Out" (2003) and "Daisy Pulls it Off!" in Sept. 2004. "Key for Two" a tale of lost memories, mistaken identities and lies.. was staged in September 2005. The 2006 play, "Pardon Me, Prime Minister" by Edward Taylor & John Graham continued the successful box office runs of such farces, with Charlie Coombes making his debut as Director, Nigel Preece taking the role of the troubled Prime Minister..and John Jones taking the role of his Chancellor.. was staged between 6th-9th Sept.'06 at the Rose Theatre. To view pictures of the production, see the programme and details of the cast, please click here.. . Our Play in 2007 was the hilarious comedy, "Murdered To Death" by Peter Gordon. It had a cast of baddies, a pretend Frenchman, an elderly aunt and concerned niece - plus various other house guests..and of course a visit from the village busy-body, Miss Maple - played with gusto by Daphne Knight! The butler, played by Frank Bonney took care of the sherry, leaving little for the guests! Things went with a bang, which was mostly due to the buffoonery and sharp-shooting of Inspector Pratt (Nigel Preece) and long suffering Constable Thompkins (Ian Jones). It was a spoof in the best of the Agatha Christie tradition, and played to full houses between 12th-15th September 2007. Click here to take you to the archive page. A Musical Tribute to celebrate the life of Graham Wyer was performed by family and friends at KODS and CTOS on Saturday 17th June 2008 in St Mary's and All Saints Church, Kidderminster.. A wonderful evening of Graham's favourite songs and music from shows was conducted by Sue Preece and compered by Stephen Wyer. Please click here to read more about Graham's major contribution to amateur theatre in our area, he is much missed. The KODS play performed in October 2008 was 'Secondary Cause of Death', a sequel to last years play by Peter Gordon. Inspector Pratt (Nigel Preece) was back and the bodies piled up in the quiet country hotel, complete with resident nurse! Click here for pics and more details.. We hope to have more memories, photos from our previous productions when the Webmaster has time to put it together.. In the meantime, please send any contributions for inclusion, (click on "contact us") they will be gratefully received and add to some of the tales that go with this list of over a century of amateur theatre productions in Kidderminster..so watch this space!!