PODS came up trumps at NODA’s West Midlands Region Annual conference and Awards Ceremony in May 2023. Our summer 2022 show Mad about Musicals directed by Judy Megarry won an award for Best Concert, whilst our December 2022 panto Maid Marian and the Merry Men was a worthy nominee – just pipped at the post by Kay’s Theatre Group’s Little Red Riding Hood.
Nominations don’t come lightly after stiff competition from some 200 Societies across NODA’s West Midlands region. NODA structures our region into ‘districts – PODS being in District 10 conquering Worcestershire West – where our NODA rep Bruce Wyatt assessed and nominated just three from the many productions he’d attended. So tremendous congratulations go to Hannah, Lindsey, and Judy and well done everyone involved in each winning production.
“For a great evening’s entertainment prior to Christmas at No.8 Pershore, it was very well worth a trip to PODS Christmas Spectacular with no less than 43 items of music, dance and amusing sketches and a total cast of 60. After an opening company number dressed in sparkling green costumes and a warm welcome from David Hemming, the stage was set for an evening of variety directed by Judy Megarry with Andrew Hermming and his MD’s baton, plus a variety of numbers from 7 choreographers.
Sparklejollytwinklejingley from Elf the Musical, was led with strength by Owen Roberts, with Hannah Eakins, Tim Shackley and the Company and this was followed by the very nice melodic voice of Briony Stevens with ‘Once Upon a December’ from Anastasia, accompanied by Connor Holman. Susan Perry, Sue Poultney and Suzie Tapley then provided an amusing sketch when the story of Snow White was given a politically correct language make-Over in ‘A Pantomime for the Modern Age’ – actually a scary thought that traditional stories could move in that direction!
Dream of Christmas’ involved the dancers dressed in white with red trimn and it was good to see Leila Parker en pointe and three good male dancers (Connor Holman, George Organ and Owen Roberts). I particularly enjoyed ‘Mary, Did You know’ acapella and The Perfect Year’ sung by Judy Megarry and David Henming with great feeling. ‘All Alone on Christmas’ was led in great uoice by Kiaragh Brouwn, and Steve Miller and Paul Tapley sang The Little Drummer Boy’ – a number of great qualities. There was some nice harmony in Hey Mr Snowman’ led by Hannah Bengough, with Sarah Stanley, Suzie Tapley and Julie Parker. A Yorkshire Nativity’ that followed, was great fun. Steve Miller sang ‘Have YourselfA Merry Little Christmas’ well, and ‘Joyful, Joyful’ led by Freya Kirby and the Company was literally joyful. The final number of Act 1 Christmas Medley’ was an extravaganza of individual costumes at which the company were having a great party.
The beginning of Act 2 was the moment for involving all 60 performers at the Wassail. The Company were smartly dressed in black, with red ties for the gentlemen and red corsages for the ladies, all backed by a star cloth, providing a magical scene. ‘Catch a Snowflake’ was uplifting, an alternative 12 Days of Christmas’ was very funny, Follow That Star’ was a good number, but perhaps the wow number of the evening for me was the Company number Bethlehem’, which raised the roof!
Later Suzie Tapley sang an impressive Nella Fantasia’ and Underneath The Tree’ looked very effective with snow falling on stage accomparnied by a suitable mouing projection rear stage. Tim Shackley and the Company with a signed version of Merry Christmas’ and Blue Christmas’ sung by Paul Tapley with Sam Godber, Pete Hallett, Lindsey Kirby and Rachel Sampson were very good. ‘A hand For Mrs. Claus’ was in the capable hands of two good singers Kiaragh Brouwn and Freya Kirby and Hallelujah’ sung by Andrew Hemming, David Hemming, James Megarry, Steuen Miller and Paul Tapley with a single piano accompaniment (and effectiue dry ice) was excellent. Tessa Sheehy led Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day’ with great strength and the last four numbers of the show bringing it to a close that followed, were equally as good.
The open set with raised rear platform and a Large number of effective projections added to the atmosphere, but I must give a special mention to the Wardrobe Team who provided the cast with some superb costumes numbering no less than around 500. Next year PODS will celebrate 35 years of performing and | Look forward to Priscilla Queen of the Desert’, the Musical in June.”
PODS member Marianne Jones recently received her 25 year National Operatic and Dramatic Society (NODA) medal. Here’s the story that she shared with us when her medal was presented at our Annual General Meeting on the 5th April 2017.
Marianne
In the early 1990s, when my daughters were teenagers, I went back to work as a school secretary in a large secondary school in Birmingham. I was in the staff room one day, putting letters into pigeonholes, and singing something from South Pacific, when one of the teachers, Ray, (who incidentally was on a ‘free period’ and the only other person in the room) asked if I liked singing. We talked about liking music, the radio always being on as a child, and mum always singing whilst she did her housework. The result of this conversation was an invitation to audition to join the Bournville Musical Theatre Company based at the Cadbury Chocolate Factory in Bournville. Their next production was ‘South Pacific’. Talk about fate! Ray said they needed younger members in the company. I didn’t like to tell him I was 42!
I’d never done anything like it before, and a whole new world of musical theatre opened up for me. Like many people, the mere mention of ‘amateur’, and falling scenery, poor sets and sound production spring to mind, but the BMTC was a fabulous company with a very good set up. After a few months, I found the confidence to audition for principal roles and was pleased to get parts in productions including Carousel, Calamity Jane, Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady and my favourite, Irma, in Anything Goes. I was always happy to be in the chorus too. I couldn’t believe that I’d found such a wonderful pastime.
Many people don’t realise that there’s 750 seater Concert Hall within the Cadbury factory and this is where our shows were performed. The Art Deco hall, built in 1927, wasn’t particularly conducive to big musical productions as it was built for organ concerts and cinema, but we got used to the lack of the usual sort of dressing rooms and back stage space and put on some super shows – sometimes being accompanied by the smell of chocolate! One time, we were putting on a concert and in my hurry to change for the finale, I fell down some steps under the stage, banged my head and hurt my arm. I was on my own at the time, but eventually the security staff were alerted and I was stretchered to the medical unit. I was dressed in a very tarty costume with wild hair, heavy make-up and fishnet tights. I can remember the security chap (who incidentally looked terrified) saying ‘Excuse me madam, but you didn’t come dressed like that, would you like me to enquire as to where your clothes are?’ I ended up at A & E, with a broken arm, the biggest lump on my head, and lots of bruises – and getting some very strange looks!
Our last show at Cadbury’s was in the year 2000, to allow for refurbishment of the building, and continued putting on productions at Birmingham’s Crescent Theatre.
When my husband and I left the city behind in 2008, I really didn’t think I’d find another musical company to match the BMTC. I’d had a great send off when I left Bournville to move near to Pershore and there was even talk of a company called PODS which was very good but ‘they had a waiting list and no way would I get in there’. But a visit to a shop in Pershore where I met Mary turned out to be very fortuitous, as she told me that PODS were auditioning for chorus members for Into the Woods after the production of Kiss me Kate. What’s more, they always needed altos. We went to see Kiss me Kate and were absolutely knocked out. It was fantastic and I knew I had to join this company.
I must mention my husband Rod who has been such a huge support; ferrying me to and fro, calming any nerves, selling programmes and raffle tickets, and, in the early days, looking after our daughters during rehearsals and show week.
I am very happy to receive the 25 year NODA award after being a member of two great companies. PODS is such a well-regarded Society and the last few years have been very enjoyable, enabling me to keep up my association with NODA. Here’s to the next few years!
11th January, about 3pm sat at my desk at work (should have be working….shh!) dialling tone…. Sue answers:
Me: “Hi Sue, It’s Hannah….”
Sue: “Hello Hannah, sorry I missed you earlier, anyway I suppose you’re anxious to know the outcome! I just want to say well done in last nights audition Hannah, it took us a very long time to decide…. you were all so good…. but we’d like to offer you the leading part, Congratulations!”
Me: “Oh! Thank you!”
I don’t really remember much of the conversation after that! My colleague was doing a dance in her chair at the news and I was in complete shock!
There was no time for it to settle in, rehearsals 7:30 that evening!
Everyone was so lovely, congratulating me, telling me it was about time (This is my 1st leading role) and telling me how wonderful I’m gonna be! (No pressure!)
I was so filled with excitement and nerves (more of one than the other!) that I could only manage to thank people and grin like a Cheshire cat.
The first few weeks of rehearsal were a little strange for me as Anne (my character) isn’t in the 1st act all that much so I didn’t see much of the rest of the company and my friends for a while. I felt a little disconnected and I think this why it took me so long to accept the fact that this wasn’t a dream!
The news sunk in properly on publicity photo evening (mid Feb). I rushed from work in Worcester to Number 8 had my wig put on, touched my make up, up and put on my costume. I stopped. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and thought…. “Well, this is it, I’m Anne Pornick.”
Having the photos taken was something I’d not experienced properly before, it’s a strange situation! Especially when you are trying very hard not to laugh when you have to stare at your leading man in the eyes for what feels like an hour! Then there is the smiling, constantly, the biggest least fake smile you can manage! Cor’ it don’t half make your cheeks ache!
I’m happy with the photo they went with for the publicity shots I think it’s really sweet (I’ve posted it below so please have a look!) It’s very odd seeing your face smiling out at you from shop windows, big banner on the Facebook page and as a massive poster in the Number 8 foyer! Although a lot of people don’t recognise me as I have short ginger hair, so it’s very far from my natural look!
We are now 8 weeks away from show week, I keep flicking through my diary to check my plans and I stumble across SHOW WEEK (written in massive letters!)
I’m not really sure how it makes me feel…. I mean I am nervous obviously but there’s a large wave of determination mixed in. I will try my hardest and that’s all I can do and I will not let the nerves beat me!
For a really long time I have avoided leading parts as I didn’t think I was good enough and solo singing terrifies me. But there was something about Anne that I loved, that I couldn’t ignore. She is feisty and determined yet soft and gentle. I really hope that I do her justice!
I can’t wait to see you all there 5th to 10th June, I hope you’ve booked your tickets!
Pershore Operatic and Dramatic Society 