Status: Amateur
Address: 5 Olvega Drive, Buntingford, Hertfordshire, CM17 0ED
Region: Hertfordshire, East of England
Contact Name: Matt Hudson
History: In the beginning In the early months of 1960, following the cessation of the “Hoddesdon Choral Society” and their sister organisation the “Hoddesdon Orchestra” a letter was sent to the Mercury by Mrs Winefride Walshe and Mrs. Sybil Abrahams bringing to attention “…a complete vacuum in this district as far as musical ‘activity’ is concerned…” and within this letter, proposed the formation of an Operatic society at Hoddesdon with the idea of staging performances of light-opera, principally Gilbert & Sullivan. There was enough interest from this letter to take matters forward and the society came into existence at an Inaugural General Meeting held in the Parish Room, Mill Lane, Broxbourne on Thursday, 2nd June, 1960. Suggested names for the company were “Hoddesdon Operatic Society” or “Hoddesdon and District Operatic Society” before settling on “East Herts Operatic Society”. Mr. President The first President and Chairman of the Company was Harold Abrahams (1924 100m Olympic Champion, depicted in the Oscar winning 1981 film “Chariots of Fire”) and the company Producer would be his wife, Sybil Abrahams, a former mezzo-soprano singer for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. A committee was formed and they planned to present their first production in April the following year. The starting membership fee was agreed at ‘one guinea’ or £1 1s. 0d. (the equivalent of £16.07 today). A shortlist comprising of “Iolanthe”, “The Gondoliers” and “The Mikado” was proposed and the company agreed that their first show would be “The Mikado”. Our First Performance On 10th April, 1961 EHOS presented “The Mikado” at the Baas Hill Secondary Modern School. It was given an extremely favourable reception by the audiences and by the press, and the society declared the first show a success. The choice of venue was deemed very fortunate as there was a lot of help and support from the Governors, Headmaster and Staff of Baas Hill School. The Hall was noted as having great acoustics for the performance. The show made a profit of £11 12s. 0d. (£177.48). Following the first show, the company made donations to the Hoddesdon branches of St. John Ambulance and Red Cross and also to Queen Victoria Cottage Homes. The Loss of our Producer The Society was unfortunately only to have Sybil Abrahams as their producer for the first 3 productions as a few months after the closing of “Iolanthe” in April 1963, Mrs. Abrahams would suddenly collapse and die in June 1963 whilst watching an excerpt of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, which she had produced for the Great Amwell midsummer festival. Her loss was a blow to the society and she was deeply missed. As a memorial to Sybil, Mr. Abrahams would donate to the society, two large make-up mirrors for the dressing rooms. The mirrors were figured with Sybil’s profile and signature and were presented to the company by Mr. Abrahams on the opening night of “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1965. Change of Venue As the company grew in reputation, the performances would change venue from Baas Hill School to East Herts College to take advantage of the increasing audience numbers. The College would see 10 years of performances by EHOS from 1964-1976 before moving to the Broxbourne Civic Hall, now re-branded as The Spotlight Theatre, which has been (mostly) the venue for EHOS’s productions onwards. Since 1970 the society had traditionally performed a major show and a smaller musical revue within the year, and this tradition is still upheld of sorts (the small musical revue is sometimes substituted for a small play). Since Spring 2008, the smaller show of the year has been performed at Victoria Hall Theatre, Old Harlow – A venue we instantly fell in love with and thoroughly enjoy our ongoing association! (Especially the sprint to the back stage door in full costume!) The Loss of Abrahams 14th January, 1978 marked the passing of the Society’s President and Chairman and for that year “Iolanthe” was performed as a tribute to Mr. Abrahams. He had continuously held the position of President and Chairman since the founding of the society 17 years previously. He was once complimented upon his “Effortless Leadership” for which he was said to reply “There is nothing effortless about it”. Modern Day The society has encountered the same problems that all theatrical societies face. With members leaving the company due to moving away from the district, work and family commitments or a few have made the leap from the amateur theatre to the professional world. Dwindling audience numbers, questionable show choices and never having enough men are all noted as constant issues raised at the Annual Meetings – A tradition that is continued in modern day Annual Meetings across the Amateur Dramatic Groups of the nation. Perhaps nothing much has changed since the foundation of the company 50 years ago. It is a warming thought that although a lot has changed in the outside world since 1960, within the Amateur Dramatic world, the concept of a collection of enthusiastic amateurs putting on a show to entertain an audience remains as constant as ever.
Website: www.ehos.co.uk
Phone: 01992 479188
Email: info@ehos.co.uk
Number of members: 35
Productions per year: 3
Performances per run: 3
Regular Venues: Spotlight Theatre, Hoddesdon
Membership required for participation?: How to Join: ONSTAGE When is the best time to join? New members are welcome to join at any time, but it is usually during the audition process for a show. Audition details will be posted onto the website and sent in an email mailing list. As EHOS usually put on two shows a year in March/April and in September, the auditions are a week or two after the previous show has finished. All you need to do is come along to the audition meetings (usually referred to as the “First Rehearsal” or “Read Through”) and you’re away! Do I need previous experience? Absolutely not! We have a wide range of acting experience within the company – from the completely talentless to professional actors! Personality is just as important as any acting experience and you should be keen to learn and not take yourself too seriously. How much does it cost to take part? Annual subscription is £15 for the year if signing up at the AGM or £25 if you wait to sign up later in the year. It is payable upon joining, and expires in October each year. All performing members must also pay a production fee for each production in which they appear, whether as a principal or as a member of the chorus. This is usually decided by the show producers and declared at the audition meetings. The scripts may need to be hired, in which case a deposit will be required, refundable when the script is returned after the show in original condition with all marks fully erased. We will usually supply main costumes, but you may also need to find or buy some accessories, eg belts, shoes or a shirt. If specalised items are required for a show and we need to hire costumes, we may ask for a deposit that will be refundable at the end of the production providing the costume is returned in the same condition it was provided in. If necessary this will be declared at the audition meetings. There are no daily or weekly rehearsal fees. What happens at an audition? Auditions are held for chorus and principles and you have to be a member before you are able to audition. There will be opportunities to become a member at the audition meetings, as well as on the actual audition days. You perform in front of an audition panel, mainly consisting of the director, committee members, EHOS members or invited guests. Chorus auditions are usually seen in small groups and consist of a small dance piece and song (if singing is required). Principle auditions will usually be seen one by one and may consist of a small dance piece, one or two songs and a bit of acting, plus any further audition piece requested by the director. You will be informed of what is expected for your audition at the meetings – they are likely to be pieces from the actual show you are auditioning for. Will I be able to audition for the main parts? All members are entitled to audition for ANY role, and assistance will be available within the pre-audition rehearsals. Become a Member To become a member you will be required to fill out a membership form and to pay your membership fee – it’s that simple! You will be presented with a copy of the Society Handbook that gives you an overview of the Society, the rules the govern EHOS and our Code of Conduct. How to Join: BACKSTAGE An amazing amount of work goes into creating an EHOS show. While the performers are demonstrating their abilities on the stage, there are many others without whom the show wouldn’t even take place. Fancy being an all important cog in the EHOS machine? We have a number of sub-committees that help to organise and co-ordinate vital elements of our shows and the Society. Have a look below and see if any of these vital roles catch your eye… then contact us for more information! WARDROBE Come and help us dress the cast. The Society has a large store of costumes which are added to regularly. By assisting our Wardrobe Supervisor you can either make new costumes or adapt existing costumes. STAGE CREW The show cannot go on without the stage crew, moving scenery, and generally being the key element to the show’s smooth operation. SET BUILDING The Society is lucky to have storage facilities in Cheshunt in which we are able to build complete sets for some of our shows before moving them to the theatre. FRONT OF HOUSE PUBLICITY MAKE-UP DIRECTOR We are always on the look out for talented Directors for our productions. If you would like to find out more information or to apply to Direct for EHOS, then please click visit www.ehos.co.uk ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CHOREOGRAPHER
Do you enjoy messing about with a hammer and nails or are you a dab hand with the paint brush? If yes, our backstage team needs you!
Are you sociable? Then join our friendly front of house team who greet the audience, direct them to their seats and sell them their programmes.
Good on the phone and time to spare… our publicity team needs you. Commit to just one show a year for a couple of months – it could make all the difference.
Ah, the smell of greasepaint! The company needs to look good, so if you’ve an eye for eyeliner or are fab with foundation, join the gang.
A show is the Director’s opportunity to make their vision of a story come to life through coaching, explaining and of course, directing the cast in what to do!
A second set of eyes can sometimes be the savior of a production. The Assistant Director helps the Director in many duties, as well as being an organisational whiz.
With so many musical numbers to position people through, the Choreographer is very important! They position people, teach dance routines, and add to the general aesthetic direction through a show.
Does the society run a youth group?: No
Associated Admins
Name | Username | Photo |
---|---|---|
Paul Johnson | MrSardines2 | ![]() |
Admins can request Sardines reviews, upload shows and add auditions
East Herts Operatic Society (EHOS)
Report SocietyEHOS ( East Herts Operatic Society) are one of the counties leading theatre companies.
With the aim of producing at least two fresh and innovative pieces of theatre every year at The Spotlight Theatre (Broxbourne), Hertford Theatre and in Harlow.
A fun theatre company to be part of which are always open to new members on or off stage.
- : Amateur
- : East of England
- : Hertfordshire
- : Matt Hudson
- : 5 Olvega Drive
- : Buntingford
- : Hertfordshire
- : SG9 9FJ
- :
In the beginning
In the early months of 1960, following the cessation of the “Hoddesdon Choral Society” and their sister organisation the “Hoddesdon Orchestra” a letter was sent to the Mercury by Mrs Winefride Walshe and Mrs. Sybil Abrahams bringing to attention “…a complete vacuum in this district as far as musical ‘activity’ is concerned…” and within this letter, proposed the formation of an Operatic society at Hoddesdon with the idea of staging performances of light-opera, principally Gilbert & Sullivan.
There was enough interest from this letter to take matters forward and the society came into existence at an Inaugural General Meeting held in the Parish Room, Mill Lane, Broxbourne on Thursday, 2nd June, 1960. Suggested names for the company were “Hoddesdon Operatic Society” or “Hoddesdon and District Operatic Society” before settling on “East Herts Operatic Society”.
Mr. President
The first President and Chairman of the Company was Harold Abrahams (1924 100m Olympic Champion, depicted in the Oscar winning 1981 film “Chariots of Fire”) and the company Producer would be his wife, Sybil Abrahams, a former mezzo-soprano singer for the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
A committee was formed and they planned to present their first production in April the following year.
The starting membership fee was agreed at ‘one guinea’ or £1 1s. 0d. (the equivalent of £16.07 today).
A shortlist comprising of “Iolanthe”, “The Gondoliers” and “The Mikado” was proposed and the company agreed that their first show would be “The Mikado”.
Our First Performance
On 10th April, 1961 EHOS presented “The Mikado” at the Baas Hill Secondary Modern School. It was given an extremely favourable reception by the audiences and by the press, and the society declared the first show a success.
The choice of venue was deemed very fortunate as there was a lot of help and support from the Governors, Headmaster and Staff of Baas Hill School. The Hall was noted as having great acoustics for the performance.
The show made a profit of £11 12s. 0d. (£177.48). Following the first show, the company made donations to the Hoddesdon branches of St. John Ambulance and Red Cross and also to Queen Victoria Cottage Homes.
The Loss of our Producer
The Society was unfortunately only to have Sybil Abrahams as their producer for the first 3 productions as a few months after the closing of “Iolanthe” in April 1963, Mrs. Abrahams would suddenly collapse and die in June 1963 whilst watching an excerpt of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, which she had produced for the Great Amwell midsummer festival.
Her loss was a blow to the society and she was deeply missed. As a memorial to Sybil, Mr. Abrahams would donate to the society, two large make-up mirrors for the dressing rooms. The mirrors were figured with Sybil’s profile and signature and were presented to the company by Mr. Abrahams on the opening night of “The Pirates of Penzance” in 1965.
Change of Venue
As the company grew in reputation, the performances would change venue from Baas Hill School to East Herts College to take advantage of the increasing audience numbers.
The College would see 10 years of performances by EHOS from 1964-1976 before moving to the Broxbourne Civic Hall, now re-branded as The Spotlight Theatre, which has been (mostly) the venue for EHOS’s productions onwards.
Since 1970 the society had traditionally performed a major show and a smaller musical revue within the year, and this tradition is still upheld of sorts (the small musical revue is sometimes substituted for a small play).
Since Spring 2008, the smaller show of the year has been performed at Victoria Hall Theatre, Old Harlow – A venue we instantly fell in love with and thoroughly enjoy our ongoing association! (Especially the sprint to the back stage door in full costume!)
The Loss of Abrahams
14th January, 1978 marked the passing of the Society’s President and Chairman and for that year “Iolanthe” was performed as a tribute to Mr. Abrahams. He had continuously held the position of President and Chairman since the founding of the society 17 years previously. He was once complimented upon his “Effortless Leadership” for which he was said to reply “There is nothing effortless about it”.
Modern Day
The society has encountered the same problems that all theatrical societies face.
With members leaving the company due to moving away from the district, work and family commitments or a few have made the leap from the amateur theatre to the professional world.
Dwindling audience numbers, questionable show choices and never having enough men are all noted as constant issues raised at the Annual Meetings – A tradition that is continued in modern day Annual Meetings across the Amateur Dramatic Groups of the nation.
Perhaps nothing much has changed since the foundation of the company 50 years ago. It is a warming thought that although a lot has changed in the outside world since 1960, within the Amateur Dramatic world, the concept of a collection of enthusiastic amateurs putting on a show to entertain an audience remains as constant as ever.
- : www.ehos.co.uk
- : https://www.facebook.com/ehosperform
- : https://twitter.com/ehosperform
- : 01992 479188
- : info@ehos.co.uk
- : 35
- : 3
- : 3
- : Spotlight Theatre, Hoddesdon
- :
How to Join: ONSTAGE
When is the best time to join?
New members are welcome to join at any time, but it is usually during the audition process for a show. Audition details will be posted onto the website and sent in an email mailing list.
As EHOS usually put on two shows a year in March/April and in September, the auditions are a week or two after the previous show has finished.
All you need to do is come along to the audition meetings (usually referred to as the “First Rehearsal” or “Read Through”) and you’re away!
Do I need previous experience?
Absolutely not! We have a wide range of acting experience within the company – from the completely talentless to professional actors!
Personality is just as important as any acting experience and you should be keen to learn and not take yourself too seriously.
How much does it cost to take part?
Annual subscription is £15 for the year if signing up at the AGM or £25 if you wait to sign up later in the year. It is payable upon joining, and expires in October each year.
All performing members must also pay a production fee for each production in which they appear, whether as a principal or as a member of the chorus. This is usually decided by the show producers and declared at the audition meetings.
The scripts may need to be hired, in which case a deposit will be required, refundable when the script is returned after the show in original condition with all marks fully erased.
We will usually supply main costumes, but you may also need to find or buy some accessories, eg belts, shoes or a shirt. If specalised items are required for a show and we need to hire costumes, we may ask for a deposit that will be refundable at the end of the production providing the costume is returned in the same condition it was provided in. If necessary this will be declared at the audition meetings.
There are no daily or weekly rehearsal fees.
What happens at an audition?
Auditions are held for chorus and principles and you have to be a member before you are able to audition. There will be opportunities to become a member at the audition meetings, as well as on the actual audition days. You perform in front of an audition panel, mainly consisting of the director, committee members, EHOS members or invited guests.
Chorus auditions are usually seen in small groups and consist of a small dance piece and song (if singing is required).
Principle auditions will usually be seen one by one and may consist of a small dance piece, one or two songs and a bit of acting, plus any further audition piece requested by the director.
You will be informed of what is expected for your audition at the meetings – they are likely to be pieces from the actual show you are auditioning for.
Will I be able to audition for the main parts?
All members are entitled to audition for ANY role, and assistance will be available within the pre-audition rehearsals.
Become a Member
To become a member you will be required to fill out a membership form and to pay your membership fee – it’s that simple!
You will be presented with a copy of the Society Handbook that gives you an overview of the Society, the rules the govern EHOS and our Code of Conduct.
How to Join: BACKSTAGE
An amazing amount of work goes into creating an EHOS show. While the performers are demonstrating their abilities on the stage, there are many others without whom the show wouldn’t even take place.
Fancy being an all important cog in the EHOS machine? We have a number of sub-committees that help to organise and co-ordinate vital elements of our shows and the Society. Have a look below and see if any of these vital roles catch your eye… then contact us for more information!
WARDROBE
Come and help us dress the cast. The Society has a large store of costumes which are added to regularly. By assisting our Wardrobe Supervisor you can either make new costumes or adapt existing costumes.
STAGE CREW
The show cannot go on without the stage crew, moving scenery, and generally being the key element to the show’s smooth operation.
SET BUILDING
Do you enjoy messing about with a hammer and nails or are you a dab hand with the paint brush? If yes, our backstage team needs you!The Society is lucky to have storage facilities in Cheshunt in which we are able to build complete sets for some of our shows before moving them to the theatre.
FRONT OF HOUSE
Are you sociable? Then join our friendly front of house team who greet the audience, direct them to their seats and sell them their programmes.PUBLICITY
Good on the phone and time to spare… our publicity team needs you. Commit to just one show a year for a couple of months – it could make all the difference.MAKE-UP
Ah, the smell of greasepaint! The company needs to look good, so if you’ve an eye for eyeliner or are fab with foundation, join the gang.DIRECTOR
A show is the Director’s opportunity to make their vision of a story come to life through coaching, explaining and of course, directing the cast in what to do!We are always on the look out for talented Directors for our productions. If you would like to find out more information or to apply to Direct for EHOS, then please click visit http://www.ehos.co.uk
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
A second set of eyes can sometimes be the savior of a production. The Assistant Director helps the Director in many duties, as well as being an organisational whiz.CHOREOGRAPHER
With so many musical numbers to position people through, the Choreographer is very important! They position people, teach dance routines, and add to the general aesthetic direction through a show. - : No
Past Productions
Production name | Author Credit | Main Image | Venue | Date of production |
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