Next event: Social Evening on Saturday 11th September 2010 for HD&OS members and guests. Director BARRY LEE will talk about his plans for Tomb with a View, Norman Robbins’ comedy thriller with great character parts for four men and six women Contact person: Peter Dukes 01992 586184 Next Drama Productions: 9 October 2010: A rehearsed play reading at the Studio Theatre. A selection from Talking Heads by Alan Bennett, subject to interest. 24 to 26th March 2011: "Tomb with a View" by Norman Robbins. See our Production and Events page for details of auditions, cast list etc.

HD&OS small but active drama section produces a variety of productions and events ranging from our large scale productions at Castle Hall to smaller events in our Studio Theatre at Bentley House. For Castle Hall, we select plays with wide public appeal. Our Studio Theatre is well suited to material for drama enthusiasts. Our most recent production was our November 2009 three episodes of "Fawlty Towers" by John Cleese and Connie Both, directed by Eric Martin, at Castle Hall (the predecessor to the Hertford Theatre) and with an impressive set created by Steve Onyon and colleagues. The episodes selected were A Touch of Class, Communication Problems and Waldorf Salad. In March 2010, we produced "The Accused" by Jeffrey Archer, directed by Cheryl Nicholson at Castle Hall. Again, we had several full houses and the reviews and audience feedback wee excellent. Other Castle Hall productions in recent years include "Amadeus" by Peter Shaffer, directed by Keith Thompson; "An Absolute Turkey" translated by Peter Hall from Georges Feydeau, directed by Eric Martin (2006); "Cold Comfort Farm" adapted by Paul Doust from the Stella Gibbons novel of the same name (2007), directed by Cheryl Nicholson; and four Canterbury Tales, as adapted by Jeremy Secker from Chaucer and directed by Keith Thompson (2007). Studio Theatre productions include selections from "Talking Heads" by Alan Bennett (2006), directed by Janie Barnes; and "Retreat from Moscow" by William Nicholson, directed by Barry Lee (2007). In November 2008, we had great fun with "'Allo 'Allo" by Jeremy Lloyd & Tony Croft, directed by Malcolm Hollow at Castle Hall in November 2008. We received excellent reviews not only for the acting but also the set design (by Alan Hobbs) and the production overall. And we sold more than 90% of the available tickets - over 1400!. HD&OS also enters plays in local festivals. For instance, our "Cold Comfort Farm" won the Tony Bentley Award - the adjudicator's award - in the 2007 Hertford Theatre Week. And with "Talking Heads" we won an award in the Welwyn Drama Festival of 2006. We also win awards regionally. For instance, "An Absolute Turkey" was chosen as the Best Drama Production of 2006 in our District of the National Operatic and Dramatic Association Eastern Region. For instance, we performed "The Nun's Priest's Tale" from Jeremy Secker's adaptation of Chaucer's Tales, directed by Keith Thompson, in the Welwyn Drama Festival.

FORTHCOMING PRODUCTIONS include the following: Three episodes of "Fawlty Towers" in November 2009. Director Eric Martin. "Nobody's Perfect" by Simon Williams at the Studio Theatre, in Spring 2010. Director Eric Martin. We are currently seeking ideas for the autumn 2010 production.

In addition to the variety of productions mentioned above, we also organise periodic social events.

We aim for variety in our dramatic life and new members are always welcomed. If you feel that you would like to join us, please see our membership pages.