Welcome
Welcome to caods – Chelmsford’s leading amateur musical and dramatic society. Providing local audiences with West End style quality productions since November 1920, caods uses professional directors and musicians to support its talented amateur cast. Affiliated to the National Operatic & Dramatic Association, caods has achieved rare status in winning numerous NODA awards for its productions in recent years.
caods present two shows a year at the Chelmsford Theatre, and with its newly refurbished, yet intimate auditorium, and state-of-the-art staging and lighting perfectly showcases the society’s top-drawer productions. caods appeal for Chelmsford audiences seems to be our ability to simultaneously surprise and delight. From Gershwin to Berlin, Lerner & Loewe to Lloyd Webber caods eclectic mix of musicals ensures continued success and an enviable reputation.
caods has charitable status and has been self-funding since its inception.
Fully Casted!
The casting for an our production of ‘A Chorus Line’ is now complete and we are thrilled to announce that we have assembled an exceptional cast. This iconic musical is set to come alive on stage, showcasing the incredible talent and passion of our performers. Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this exciting journey!
Gill Plumtree
We are extremely sad to announce that Gill Plumtree, CAODS’ President passed away peacefully this morning. Gill became a member of CAODS in 1975 and was our President for the last 19 years. She was very proud to say that between her and her husband John, there had been a Plumtree as CAODS’ President for around 50 years!
Gill represented CAODS at NODA functions and welcomed many a dignitary to the theatre to see our shows. In truth, there are not many people who were more dignified than our Gill-a beautiful lady, with a heart of gold and a very calm air about her. Gill supported the committee with many words of wisdom over the years. She always attended our Preview Mornings, Open Evenings and Coffee Mornings, as well as speaking at the AGM every year.
Gill will also be remembered for the many roles she played, such as Dolly in Hello Dolly, Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, Golde in Fiddler on the Roof and Bloody Mary in South Pacific. She had the most beautiful, rich singing voice, perfect for Mother Abbess in the Sound of Music, (“Climb Every Mountain”) and anyone who was lucky enough to share the stage with her in Carousel, when she played Nettie, did not have to dig too deep to find the emotion required for the scene, when she sang “You’ll Never Walk Alone”!
Gill’s last show performing with CAODS was Titanic in 2012. She played first class passenger, Ida Strauss, which was appropriate, because Gill was a first class lady on stage and off. We will miss her very much at CAODS. She was a very special person, a friend to many, and such an important part of the CAODS family. We are all very lucky to have known her.
caods celebrates 100 years
caods is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary! On 8 November 1920 the first public meeting of Chelmsford Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society was held at the Corn Exchange in Chelmsford ahead of their first production, HMS Pinafore. It is safe to say that we haven’t looked back since!
Since then caods has performed 171 shows, with only a break of eight years around WW2. Why not can take a look at our full History and Past Shows – here is our first cast member photo from HMS Pinafore performed in April 1921. caods have consistently pushed the limits of our Society to bring the best of theatre to Chelmsford, as can be seen by our many Awards.
Eric Smart at Broomfield Hospital Radio recently dedicated a show to 100 years of caods with memories and songs from our recent show. You can listen to the programme here.
From operas to dramas, circus tricks to full prosthetics and everything in between caods thank all our members, helpers, supporters and audiences over the years for our continued success. Here’s to another 100 years!