Henley in Arden Drama Society (HADS)

01/11/2026

Licensed Chaperones Required!
We are looking for licensed chaperones for the upcoming production of Treasure Island, which features 4 children. We need help to fill our chaperoning timetable for the following dates:
* Tech Rehearsal: Sunday, 13th December (Daytime)
* Dress Rehearsals: Monday, 14th and Wednesday, 16th December (Evenings)
* Performances: Thursday, 17th to Sunday, 20th December (Evenings, plus Matinees on Saturday and Sunday)
If you are able to help please send us a message, or email [email protected]

30/10/2026

20/10/2026

All aboard! We’re down to our last handful of matinee tickets, and evening seats are vanishing quickly. Book your passage now before the ship sets sail without you! 🏴‍☠️🦜☠

11/10/2026

🏴‍☠️ CAST ANNOUNCEMENT: Billy Bones! 🏴‍☠️
Avast ye! We are thrilled to announce that Bob Atkinson will be stepping aboard as the infamous Billy Bones in our upcoming pantomime, Treasure Island!

Bob made his memorable HADS debut in Goldilocks and the Four Bears, juggling roles as Goldilocks’ Father, the Policeman, and most iconically a show-stealing dancing cow.

This year, he’s hanging up the hooves and udder nonsense to trade them for cutlasses and high-seas shenanigans.

A veteran of the Birmingham Youth Theatre who graced the Birmingham Rep stage in his younger days, the recently retired Bob has temporarily parked up his beloved camper-van to join our crew once more.

Will Billy Bones manage to keep hold of the treasure map, or will the black spot find him first? 🗺️⚓

🎟️ Treasure Island runs from 17th – 20th December 2026 at Henley-in-Arden Memorial Hall. Don’t miss the boat, get your tickets now!

07/10/2026

We asked Henrietta Hawkins the ultimate question... and she’s keeping her secrets! 🍺🤫 To find out what’s brewing at the Admiral Benbow, you’ll have to come and see Treasure Island for yourself! 🗓 17th – 20th December 2026 📍 Henley Memorial Hall

06/10/2026

Lisa is thrilled to be making her HADS debut as Maggie in Treasure Island and even more excited to be sharing the stage with her family!

Lisa has been treading the boards for over 20 years and dancing since the age of four. Her favourite roles have included the feisty title role in Calamity Jane, Laurey in Oklahoma! and Mary in Jesus Christ Superstar.

She is looking forward to joining the HADS family on stage this Christmas and hopes you enjoy this swashbuckling adventure as much as she enjoys being part of it!

05/10/2026

Rehearsals for Treasure Island are well underway, and things are already getting properly chaotic! Lines are being learned, songs are being sung, and the comedy routines are taking shape.

We’ll be introducing the rest of our brilliant cast throughout the week, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve been up to behind the curtain.

🗓 17th – 20th December 2026
📍 Henley Memorial Hall
🎟 Book your tickets now before they walk the plank! www.hads.org.uk

04/10/2026

Every good ship needs a pair of completely clueless deckhands, and who better to steer the Hispaniola into trouble than our trusty duo, Fore & Aft! Taking on these hilarious nautical roles are HADS royalty Sheena Ison and amdram veteran Pauline Gunton.

Sheena has been lighting up the Henley stage for over twenty years, with roles ranging from classic drama in Thérèse Raquin to comedy gold in Hi-de-Hi! Having firmly established herself in the baddie camp as Cinderella’s wicked stepmother and Greta Grimm in Goldilocks, she is taking a well-earned break from true villainy to bring pure, bumbling comic chaos to the high seas!

Pauline brings over forty years of stage experience, from musical classics like Calamity Jane and Annie Get Your Gun in Yorkshire, to thigh-slapping principal boy antics as Dandini in Cinderella. An active HADS member since 2013, she relishes every opportunity to get audiences laughing.

Together, Sheena and Pauline are trading evil schemes and snivelling sidekicks for sailor hats, custard pies, and plenty of slapstick hilarity this December in Treasure Island!

03/10/2026

Every Treasure Island needs a Long John Silver and we have Justin ably stepping (hopping?) into the role! Audiences will fondly remember him in full flamboyant glory as the outrageous Dame Clarissa Clutterbuck in Goldilocks and the Four Bears. Beyond the world of slapstick and petticoats, Justin is a frequent performer at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Bear Pit Theatre. Trading Clarissa’s oversized bloomers for a cutlass and tricorn hat, Justin takes to the high seas as the cunning pirate Long John Silver in HADS’ production of Treasure Island.

01/10/2026

David (Jim Hawkins) is excited to be treading the boards once again for his first role with HADS.

After a few years away from the theatre stage—most recently performing in a cover band—David is thrilled to return for Treasure Island. Favourite past roles include Paul in Kiss Me Kate, Frank in Seven Brides and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Huge thanks to his wife, Lisa, and daughter, Isla (also in the show!), for encouraging him to get involved. Enjoy the panto mayhem!
Tickets: www.hads.org.uk