Status: Amateur
Address: Heathfields Hall, Heath Lane, Dartford, Kent, DA12TW
Region: Kent, South East
Contact Name: Sam Mason
History: It was back in 1906 that three local residents decided to form a local Operatic Society to offset “the perceived lack of facilities for entertainment” in Dartford. An advert in a local paper asked “gentlemen and young ladies with good voices and good figures” to come forward. From this somewhat sexist advertisement, just sufficient interest was generated for the Dartford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society to be formed. Rehearsals started in the local Temperance Hotel, soon moved to the nearby Bucks Room, for "The Mikado", subsequently performed on four evenings at the Conservative Hall in Spital Street in April 1907. Although the estimated budget of £50 was exceeded by some 100%, the box office receipts came in at £105, so the Society was solvent and on its way. Ticket prices for this first show ranged from one to three shillings (5 -15p), a sum regarded as unreasonably high by one of the local papers! The subsequent years have not all been glamour and bright lights. The early decades were constrained by a chronic lack of finance and a limited choice of shows (the first seven were all G. & S.) and interruptions for both world wars. Up to the 1940's it is unlikely the Society would have survived without constant fund-raising by members and financial support from a small number of local benefactors. In 1933 the Mayor of Dartford became our President, a continuing tradition. For many years the Society led a nomadic existence with shows performed initially in Dartford, then the Princesses Theatre, Crayford (1919 -1955), the Regal (later the ABC) Cinema in Bexleyheath (1956- 1972), before a welcome return to Dartford and the North West Kent College of Technology (1973 -1982). One hundred years and some two hundred musicals later, DAODS continues to strive to provide "facilities for entertainment" not only for the town but now for a much wider catchment area than could ever have been imagined by the Founders. Since the opening of the Orchard theatre in 1982 two main productions, renowned for their constant high standards, great costumes, professional lighting and full orchestral support have taken place here every April and October - forty-seven so far. Shows now cost upwards of £40,000. Without a permanent base for rehearsals it was in the 1980's the members decided that they needed their own headquarters. After some serious fund-raising and following protracted discussions with Dartford Borough Council, the offer of some land in Heath Lane, Dartford was agreed on a thirty-year lease and the building of Heathfields Hall commenced. Heathfields Hall is now used for all rehearsals and is equipped as a theatre for small-scale productions - no less than nine in the last fifteen months. The provision of Heathfields has also had a huge influence on the Society's well-being, community links and range of activities, which included the start up of our own Youth Theatre in 1994. DAODS now has a vibrant membership of all ages including many who show their skills with their backstage support. With continuing support from you, the public, for which we warmly thank you, the Society looks forward with confidence to the next one hundred years.
Website: https://www.daods.co.uk/
Phone: 07730 539582
Email: daodscom@gmail.com
Number of members: 125
Productions per year: 2
Performances per run: 5
Regular Venues: The Orchard Theatre & Heathfields Hall, Dartford
Membership required for auditioning?: yes
Membership required for participation?: yes
Does the society run a youth group?: yes
Associated Admins
Name | Username | Photo |
---|---|---|
Paul Johnson | MrSardines2 | ![]() |
Admins can request Sardines reviews, upload shows and add auditions
Dartford Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society (DAODS)
Report SocietyOur society continues to bring the very best amateur productions to the area and we intend to keep coming and presenting both well-established and new productions for you. Aside from our two main shows a year at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, we have our own premises at Heathfields Hall in Dartford where we rehearse and where we, and other groups within the society, can stage smaller shows.
We have a thriving Youth Group full of extremely talented youngsters and we also have a hard working group of members in the form of the Good Companions; and countless members and patron members who partake in hall productions. These groups and members work tirelessly to provide invaluable support and much needed funds to the society. Their enthusiasm and friendship is a lesson to us all and if you ever have the opportunity to see any of their performances you will not be disappointed.
- : Amateur
- : South East
- : Kent
- : Sam Mason
- : Heathfields Hall
- : Heath Lane
- : Dartford
- : Kent
- : DA12TW
- : It was back in 1906 that three local residents decided to form a local Operatic Society to offset “the perceived lack of facilities for entertainment” in Dartford. An advert in a local paper asked “gentlemen and young ladies with good voices and good figures” to come forward. From this somewhat sexist advertisement, just sufficient interest was generated for the Dartford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society to be formed. Rehearsals started in the local Temperance Hotel, soon moved to the nearby Bucks Room, for "The Mikado", subsequently performed on four evenings at the Conservative Hall in Spital Street in April 1907. Although the estimated budget of £50 was exceeded by some 100%, the box office receipts came in at £105, so the Society was solvent and on its way. Ticket prices for this first show ranged from one to three shillings (5 -15p), a sum regarded as unreasonably high by one of the local papers! The subsequent years have not all been glamour and bright lights. The early decades were constrained by a chronic lack of finance and a limited choice of shows (the first seven were all G. & S.) and interruptions for both world wars. Up to the 1940's it is unlikely the Society would have survived without constant fund-raising by members and financial support from a small number of local benefactors. In 1933 the Mayor of Dartford became our President, a continuing tradition. For many years the Society led a nomadic existence with shows performed initially in Dartford, then the Princesses Theatre, Crayford (1919 -1955), the Regal (later the ABC) Cinema in Bexleyheath (1956- 1972), before a welcome return to Dartford and the North West Kent College of Technology (1973 -1982). One hundred years and some two hundred musicals later, DAODS continues to strive to provide "facilities for entertainment" not only for the town but now for a much wider catchment area than could ever have been imagined by the Founders. Since the opening of the Orchard theatre in 1982 two main productions, renowned for their constant high standards, great costumes, professional lighting and full orchestral support have taken place here every April and October - forty-seven so far. Shows now cost upwards of £40,000. Without a permanent base for rehearsals it was in the 1980's the members decided that they needed their own headquarters. After some serious fund-raising and following protracted discussions with Dartford Borough Council, the offer of some land in Heath Lane, Dartford was agreed on a thirty-year lease and the building of Heathfields Hall commenced. Heathfields Hall is now used for all rehearsals and is equipped as a theatre for small-scale productions - no less than nine in the last fifteen months. The provision of Heathfields has also had a huge influence on the Society's well-being, community links and range of activities, which included the start up of our own Youth Theatre in 1994. DAODS now has a vibrant membership of all ages including many who show their skills with their backstage support. With continuing support from you, the public, for which we warmly thank you, the Society looks forward with confidence to the next one hundred years.
- : https://www.daods.co.uk/
- : https://www.facebook.com/pages/DAODS/149169085604
- : https://twitter.com/DAODSofficial
- : 07730 539582
- : daodscom@gmail.com
- : 125
- : 2
- : 5
- : The Orchard Theatre & Heathfields Hall, Dartford
- : yes
- : yes
- : yes
Past Productions
Production name | Author Credit | Main Image | Venue | Date of production |
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