On 16th July, Alton Operatic & Dramatic Society were presented with a prestigious Accolade of Excellence by NODA (National Operatic & Dramatic Association) for their 2004 play "Curtain upon Murder". Alison Crow who produced the play received it on behalf of AODS from the NODA area Representative, John Haslam (photographed with some of the producer and some of the cast). John praised the actors and set, and said, "that the excellence of the direction and performers was such that the sequence of unexplained murders kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The audience were all quite relieved when it turned out at the end that they needn't have worried!" Alison said afterwards "that the actors and back stage crew, make-up and wardrobe teams at AODS made everything possible as they were a golden team to work with, I’m so very proud of them. This was truly a team effort." Jean Gebbett, Chairman of AODS said "This was a great event for AODS, and we are very proud of our producer, actors and backstage crew who produced such a professional play."

The cast of our highly successful November drama Curtain Up on Murder

Curtain up on Murder (Alton Assembly Rooms 11-13 November) was a triumph for AODS. Slick and pacey, with convincing characterisations and faultless delivery, genuine tension, and a twist at the end so surprising that it drew a round of spontaneous applause from the audience, it was am-dram at its best, reminding us what a uniquely-enjoyable kind of entertainment local productions can provide.

Bettine Manktelow’s play was a good choice; the theme of an am-dram rehearsal that goes disastrously wrong (or appears to) provides a delightful excuse for a bit of outrageous melodrama. So, no sooner has the cast recovered from its hilarity when a ‘corpse’ gets a fit of the giggles, than they find themselves locked into their end-of-pier theatre, with phones dead, and a storm building outside. Then the murders begin. And then they start to wonder about the strange caretaker, well-portrayed by Clive Winchester, whose resonant voice has previously remained anonymous in the chorus of many AODS musicals.

Miriam Baldwin, in another striking debut, managed the difficult trick of making the genuinely-terrified Ginny distinct from the Ginny who is only pretending to be terrified. Pippa Mills was a delight as always as the homely but doomed Moppet. Pip Cooper, who has previously graced the Selborne Players’ stage, was utterly convincing as Alex’s cheated partner Linda. Sarah Waller, though a relative newcomer, was also excellent as the deeply sinister Sandra.

But it was in the central ménage a trois of the play, drawn with subtlety and insight, and not a little pathos, by Manktelow, that the special distinction of this performance lay. Dom Magenty, who has admittedly served time on the professional stage before coming to RAF Odiham, carried the complex role of Alex with complete conviction. And Barbara Rayner as the good-timing prima donna Sylvia, and Jason Davenhill as her husband the director who pretends indifference to her dalliances but admits his inward tears to Moppet, were both superb. The fact that these two are also playing the leads in AODS’ March musical Crazy for You speaks as much for their stamina as it bodes well for that production.

Well done to producer and director, Alison Crow, and all of the cast and supporting crew. You gave us a most enjoyable evening and you have done the society a great deal of credit.