PREVIOUS PRODUCTIONS
(since 1952)

PICTURE GALLERIES

The John Westbrook Trophy

To remember John Westbrook, a long standing and much missed member of the Society, who died in 2009, we now present an annual award in his name - The John Westbrook Trophy - to the chorus member in our annual production who gave the most outstanding performance. The winner is chosen each year by Hilary Westbrook, John's widow.

The Early Years

Shows produced by the Denmead Amateur Operatic and Musical Society in the years leading up to the second World War:

NODA Awards

Each time we put on a major production, we submit the programme for the show to the NODA Southern Area Programme competition. We are proud to have won the following awards:

Closewood Hall - 1936

Hiawatha - 1938

Nativity Play

NEWSLETTERS

Worthy of Note is the newsletter of Denmead Operatic Society. It is sent out free of charge to Patrons twice a year, and is packed with information about what the Society has been up to, news of friends and members and details of our forthcoming productions. You may download back-copies of the newsletters (in Adobe Acrobat - pdf format) by clicking the icons below.

Edition	Click to view
Spring 2005
Winter 2005
Spring 2006
Winter 2006
Spring 2007

NODA PROGRAMME AWARD

Patricia Stallard, then Chairperson of Denmead Operatic Society, receives the NODA Basic Programme Award in 2000 for the programme produced for The Chieftain.

CHARITY WALK

Myrtle Williams, Denmead Operatic Society's Wardrobe Mistress, undertook a sponsored pram push from Emsworth to Chichester on September 22nd, 2001, to raise funds for the Society.

Farewell to Old Friends

We recently bade a sad farewell to two long-standing friends of the Society - June Parry and John Offord. Here, two members of the Society offer their tributes to two people who gave freely of their time and talents to the world of theatre in the Portsmouth area.

John Offord
1924 - 2007
Soldier - Teacher - Eccentric - Doyen of Portsmouth Theatre

John Offord, best known to members of Denmead Operatic Society as our Lighting Director, in the days when the Society did a full week's run at the New Theatre Royal, and Life Member of the Society, was laid to rest at Highlands Road Cemetery, Portsmouth on 2nd February 2007.

John's trenchant and erudite views on life, and deep knowledge of the Theatre, made him a wonderful companion. Educated at Portsmouth Grammar School, he was called up into the Army in 1942 and served in North Africa, Italy and Austria. He remained in the Army when the war finished and, at the end of a varied career, he was the last Commanding Officer of Southsea Castle when it was de-commissioned from military use.

John then turned to teaching and after qualifying he obtained a post at St John's College, Southsea, where he taught history and provided, for many, their first encounter with the world of theatre, sharing his enthusiasm for the stage and opera. When he retired in 1988, his time was devoted to keeping the New Theatre Royal alive, and running his own company of (mainly) professional actors: Apollo Theatre.

The funeral, which took the form of an Anglo-Catholic Requiem Mass, was attended by over 150 people and was a suitably dramatic occasion, with the sun streaming into the Church of the Holy Spirit, though air heavy with incense, onto the light oak coffin, just as the organist played Mozart's Requiem. The glass-sided hearse drawn by jet black heavy horses with black and gold drapes and plumes, fulfilled a long-standing wish of John's and ensured bravura last curtain call.

Neil Lander Brinkley

June Parry
1924 - 2006

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of June Parry, who died on December 15th 2006, aged 82 years. June was a great friend and Life Member of Denmead Operatic Society, and would have been known to many of our members who were with the Society in the 1980s and 90s.

She was a very talented lady who designed and painted the scenery for us. She also ran a costume hire business from her home. Many people will remember going to her large garden in Horndean and delving into the various huge garden sheds for a suitable costume to wear. She was always very hospitable and would make cakes and bring out tea while we worked away at painting the scenery in her garden.

I recall that she loved animals. Any waif or stray would be taken in and cared for. She had at least four dogs, a couple of cats and a parrot. A wild fox with a broken leg would also come for food, She was a familiar sight around the roads of Horndean, either with several dogs in tow or, in later life when her hip was giving her trouble, riding a bike or disabled buggy. She would always stop for a chat. I found out that she helped with a local disabled group and helped to raise funds for them.

Her husband, Lyn Parry, was for a short while Denmead Operatic Society's Producer. He was also very talented and could portray any character, male or female, with great skill. He also wrote wonderful poetry. They were a very happy couple.

The funeral was attended by Christine and Colin Cox, and John Westbrook on behalf of the Society.

Christine Cox

John Westbrook
1994 - 2009

It is with great sadness that we record the death of John Westbrook on Saturday 9th May 2009 in Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, shortly after his sixty fifth birthday.

John joined Denmead Operatic Society in 1976, starting as a member of the chorus, where he met his wife Hilary. John then progressed to take several parts including Guron in Princess Ida, 2nd Yeoman in The Yeomen of the Guard, and Captain Sir Edward Corcoran in Utopia Limited.

John will, however, be chiefly remembered for his efforts behind the scenes. He was the driving force behind the provision of stage sets and props for the shows. He organised a barn in which the scenery could be produced and stored, and was responsible for gathering together a team of "volunteers" to construct, paint and erect the scenery. John's efforts to support the Society did not end there - he organised the annual dinner dance, several trips to France and numerous other fund-raising events. Over the years he raised many thousands of pounds for Society funds. As a result of all these efforts, he was awarded Life Membership of the Society.

Although no longer an active singer, John continued to work as a member of the backstage crew during productions and was looking forward to helping with My Fair Lady before he contracted a serious illness, which quickly led to his untimely death.

John will be greatly missed by all who knew him and especially those who had the privilege of being able to call him "friend".

Colin Cox, Patron of Denmead Operatic Society

Keith Woodall
1944-2009

Sadly, we bade farewell to another former member and great supporter of Denmead Operatic Society - Keith Woodall.

Keith left the stage peacefully on August 19th 2009, after a short illness. The final curtain will be at Portchester Crematorium on Monday 7th September at 2pm. All friends are welcome - but please wear bright colours and include something blue, Keith's favourite colour.

Keith will always be remembered for his versatility on stage. Even if he was at the back of the chorus in a show, you could look at him and see something interesting and totally in character going on. Keith also had his own stand-up comic routine and could be relied upon for a constant supply of rather elderly jokes in the dressing room. In later years, you would always find Keith, accompanied by his wife Christine and his mother, supporting Denmead Operatic Society's shows and concerts, as well as those of many other local amateur groups.

Mark Donalds, Member of Denmead Operatic Society

Barbara Platt

- 2010

Sadly, we bade farewell to another former member of Denmead Operatic Society - Rosemary Barbara Platt.