It’s a rite of passage, it’s a uniquely bush experience, and something that generates a lot of excitement and anticipation.
It’s Country Date Night!
The next show for CADS is One Night Only – Country Date Night, as the name suggest, is on for one night only on Saturday 26 August.
A mix of past and present country love songs will be delivered in a cabaret-style performance by a small but spicy cast made up of Micheal Lowe, Heidi Willsher, Rechell Naughton, Ben Foley, Sheridan Riles and Jane Wray.
It’s a show aimed at aged 18-100 (but if you’re over 100 we’ll still let you in). The special host and absolute local legend Buckets O’Brien will navigate the night as MC.
Tickets will be available through Trybooking.com from 4th August with two ticket options to select from:
Option one: VIP date night table for two $120 – includes two tickets to the show, a bottle of bubbly on arrival, charcuterie board for two, choc dipped strawberries, a professional couples photo and exclusive attention throughout the show.
*hurry! only 6 VIP tables on offer!
Option two: Couples ticket (admits 2) for $70 long table seating and BYO.
You can bring a date. You may even meet a date at the show (no guarantees). Or you can come dateless.
Follow us on socials to keep up with all the latest and greatest on offer with CADS. There are lots of exciting shows in rehearsal for delivery before the end of the year!
Every now and then we all need a bit of spring clean, so we’ve taken on a new website to show what we’ve done, what we’re currently doing and what we have plans for.
Please give us your feedback so we can adjust it to fit the needs of not just CADS but also the community. It’s a work in progress and we have A LOT more content to add, so please be patient.
You can make comments on posts, email us, contact us on Facebook or any way you see fit. But please, no messenger pigeons. We’re still cleaning up after the last lot.
So, again, welcome abord. We hope the new site is useful and even inspires a few more people to get involved… not just on stage… but behind the scenes and all the other many voluntary roles that makes this organisation truly an inclusive community group for everyone.
Helen Campbell is receiving double the recognition for her musical talents this year.
Not only was the music-loving 92-year-old recognised as the Crookwell Australia Day Citizen of the Year, but she has also received Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Ms Campbell said she was overwhelmed but excited to have received the honour.
“I thought they’d got the wrong person when I first received the letter,” she said.
“I really can’t imagine why I would receive an award for something that I just naturally love to do.”
Ms Campbell received the OAM for her service to music through education and performance, and she sure knows how to put on a show.
Over 32 years, Ms Campbell directed 22 musicals with the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) and loaned her expertise to the Kids Acting on Stage (KAOS) group.
Before assuming the role as CADS Musical Director, she taught full-time as a Music, English and History teacher at Crookwell High School for 10 years. Later she swapped down to part-time work.
OAM recipient: Helen Campbell cutting her celebratory cake. Photo: Robert Bill.
In her spare time, Ms Campbell played the organ at the local Uniting Church and was a member of the Crookwell Community Singers and Choral Society.
Ms Campbell said her love for music began when her mother gave her a piano as a young child.
“Music has provided me with such joy throughout my life and I just hope that I’ve been able to extend that to other people,” Ms Campbell said.
While she played her last children’s show two years ago, Ms Campbell continues to do just that, entertaining her fellow residents at Viewhaven with her piano playing.
Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) is excited to receive $50,000 under the NSW ClubGrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants Program to replace its existing stage and theatre lighting with LED lighting to reduce power usage.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman and her husband Michael paid a visit to Crookwell Memorial Hall to meet with CADS and Kids Acting On Stage (KAOS) members on February 8 to see how the grant will be used.
CADS members Robert and Simon Bill, Dallas Atkins and Rob Huskinson have been busy for weeks pulling down and installing the new lights, which will be ready for the next KAOS and CADS productions.
The existing stage lights are original to the hall, with CADS adding other theatre lights over time.
CADS’ power usage was at capacity, leading to blown fuses on show nights. It was frustrating for the crew as it meant they were always on alert and often had to cut back on the number of lights used in the productions.
The lighting and sound technicians are all volunteers and would spend many hours trying to program what is needed against what could be used with the existing lights.
On the nights of the productions, they spend time running from the front mezzanine area to backstage, in the middle of productions if something trips. However, it won’t be an issue with the new LEDs.
Theatre is a wonderful way of bringing people from all walks of life together, forming strong lasting friendships.
CADS productions have been bringing the community together for a light-hearted night of entertainment for over 30 years, which is especially important in hard times and drought. Audience numbers have proven this is successful in our community.
We are proud of what we have already achieved and intend to continue this for future generations. Keeping our theatre operations upgraded will ensure this can happen.
The stage is being set and rehearsals are on by the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) for their upcoming play The Vicar of Dibley.
Set in a fictional village called Dibley, the play has several funny incidents leading up to the marriage of characters Alica and Hugo.
The stage play has been written by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter and is an adaption of British sitcom The Vicar of Dibley, by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer.
Robert Bill, president of CADS, said the play is being staged in Crookwell for the first time after permission has been sought from UK-based Tiger Aspect Production.
“The play is very entertaining with funny one line deliveries. There are nine local actors taking part in the play, including two who are from Goulburn. The rehearsals for the play are on and everyone is doing a great job,” Mr Bill said.
“We decided to stage the play in Crookwell as we are coming out of COVID-19. We want people to come together for a social gathering, enjoy the evening and have a laugh.”
He urges everyone to come and see the play. “We look forward to people coming and enjoying themselves,” he said.
The play is being staged as restrictions after COVID-19 are being eased. However, the organisers will ensure that necessary precautions are taken and appropriate social distancing measures are implemented.
The play will be staged at Crookwell Memorial Hall and bookings can be made through the Crookwell Visitor Information Centre on (02) 4832 1988. It will be held on November 6-8, 13-15 and 19-21.
There is just one week to go until the premiere of the anticipated Crookwell Amateur Dramatics Society (CADS) performance.
The opening night of Back to those Music Hall Days will be held on Friday, June 21.
The cast and crew will take the stage, but for now, let’s take a look behind the scenes with some of the people involved in the production.
CHRIS CROKER & ANNETTE PRELL
Chris Croker and Annette Prell reunite on stage for Helen Campbell.
Performers Chris Croker and Annette Prell rejoined CADS this year as a tribute to Helen Campbell.
“I heard that Helen Campbell is hanging up her boots, or gloves, and this is her last year as a pianist,” Mr Croker said.
He joined CADS 30 years ago has performed regularly ever since.
“Every musical production I have been in has been with Helen. This is my mark of respect, for a wonderful lady who has always put up graciously with mine and others antics,” he said.
Both he and Ms Prell have years of on-stage experience, she joined in 1994.
“Family commitments have kept me busy but I’m thrilled to be back,” she said.
“My big motivation for coming back this year is naturally Helen, she is CADS personified.
“Although, I have had to work around family, this year, I have pulled out all stops to be here.
“Already, I have fallen back into the fun, friendships and getting silly together but as well there is a level of professionalism expected.
“We are asked to do everything to the best of our ability which can be fun or funny,” she said.
Meantime Mr Croker returns to the stage for the challenge.
“It is a discipline to work together as a team and achieve the best we can without letting anyone down. Performing is much the same as sports its just a different discipline.
“In theatre, you work with people of all different walks of life and of all ages. You make friends with older and younger people who share a common interest.”
Back to those Music Hall Days is a return to CADS’ old time music hall days first staged in the 1990s.
“For a small town, we produce shows of a very high standard on a shoestring budget.
“CADS has always produced entertaining shows and this will be no different,” Mr Croker said.
KEVEN BREEN & NIC BENSLEY
CADS newcomers Keven Breen and Nic Bensley.
It will be the first time that Kevin Breen and Nic Bensley take to the stage with CADS, and the choreography is proving to be the biggest challenge.
“Remembering the lines and choreography is challenging but lots of laughs,” Mr Breen said.
Mrs Bensley added, “At the moment, I am pretending to know the words and those choreography steps.”
The cast and crew have been rehearsing for weeks, and the curtain is about to be raised.
“Sure it will come together as it always does,” she said.
Both of the newcomers have seen past productions.
“I have been to about ten of the previous CADS shows as a spectator and wondered what it would be like to be a part of this group, so here I am and now I know,” Mr Breen said.
“They [the cast] are friendly and cooperative fellow performers and I am enjoying it.”
Mrs Bensley said she loved the stage.
“I thought it was time I did something for myself,” she said.
“It looked like fun and I wanted to work with Anne Cleary and the crew.”
“I have found great camaraderie and laughs and I can’t wait for the fame,” she joked.
DES ROWLEY & WAL SMART
Veterans of CADS Des Rowley and Wal Smart have a combined 43 years on stage.
“I’ve been with CADS for 23 years and I don’t think I have left ‘Them Music Hall Days’,” Mr Smart said.
“One of the best parts of CADS is when you go in a show you renew old friendships and make new ones and that’s great.”
His challenge is recalling whether he is supposed to be downstage, front of stage, backstage or on stage.
“My biggest issue is remembering where I am supposed to be on stage and being put in the front row so everyone can see you’re in the wrong place. But other cast members ‘push’ me into place.”
Meantime Mr Rowley was in the audience for two Music Halls before he joined CADS 20 years ago.
“I decided to see how a show was put together. I went to a muster – been here ever since – no one is excluded,” Mr Rowley said.
“I just love the involvement of all cast, directors, and crew.
“The best part, for me, has been the many new friends, feeling the audience excitement and watching their enjoyment. I guess travelling from Goulburn can be hard but it’s well worth it for the end result.”
The show will be held over the last two weekends in June. For information and bookings contact the Crookwell Visitor Information Centre, 4832 1988.
Production: BACK TO THOSE MUSIC HALL DAYS Director: ANNE CLEARY Musical Director: HELEN CAMPBELL Stage Manager: ROBERT BILL
The Potato Festival has been put to rest for another year and the Crookwell community prepares to hunker down for the winter recess, or does it? Not on your Nelly.
The Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society, known more commonly as CADS, is gearing up for an extravaganza of musical entertainment next month, as it presents its fifteenth Music Hall show since it reformed in 1987. This one will be a celebration of good times past.
Back to those Music Hall Days will see a return to the good old days of CADS in the 1990s with a selection of some of their popular ‘old time’ musical numbers and skits. Not only will the material be plucked from the archives, but so too will be a number of cast members who took part in those early shows.
Thirty of CADS’s leading characters have responded to director Anne Cleary’s call for a special show to honour musical director Helen Campbell who turned 90 in February. And it’s not just Mrs Campbell who admits to having the energy for another show.
Those cast members making a return to resurrect their roles on stage are 25 years older than when they originally played their parts or sang their songs. The high kicks originally required may now be more like gentle knee bends, but the cast is up for the challenge.
It will be the greatest of pleasures to welcome back to the stage old time favourites Annette Prell, Debb O’Brien, Chris Croker, Christine Bentley, Stephen Rigby, Margaret Wheelwright, Ken Wheelwright, Tory Simmons (Croker), Narelle Kennedy, Andrew ‘Boots’ Harborne, Sarah Lowe and Des Rowley.
CADS stalwart performers Heather Davies, Wal Smart, Michael Lowe and Rechell Naughton, all recently seen on stage, will be joined again this year by Rob Huskinson, Maggie Rikard-Bell, Lyn Green, Margaret Hudson and CADS’s latest newcomer to the stage from the 2018 Lady Godiva, Dallas Atkins.
For the very first time, Darren ‘Buckets’ O’Brien will be making it a full family affair as wife Rie and teenage children Ellis and Misha join him on the Memorial Hall stage.
CADS has always encouraged new members to its ranks. This year’s production welcomes making their CADS debut, local student Nic Bensley and Kevin Breen from Goulburn. Chris Hinton, recently known to CADS patrons for his direction of Cinderella in 2016, will fill the role of Music Hall Chairman, so capably controlled through the 1990s by the irrepressible Phil Meckiff, now retired to the South Coast.
Of course, no CADS music hall can happen without the magic fingers of Mrs Helen Lowe as she once again takes her rightful place alongside Mrs Campbell in ‘tickling the ivories’ for their fifteenth music hall. These two ladies form the keystone of CADS’s live musical performances. Many times they have enjoyed the accompaniment of Drummer Boy Dale Chalker who will once again be keeping the beat.
What is going to make this show something special is its salute to those music hall days that have been such a standout feature of CADS offerings over the last 32 years.
The effort required to stage the music halls is enormous. The search for material, the construction of sets and lighting design, the organisation of casting and scheduling of rehearsal times, make music hall productions a time-consuming and exhausting venture which takes many months of preparation by a small group of dedicated theatre-loving volunteers.
Some behind-the-scenes drivers who have remained loyal and committed to the success of CADS since 1987, seldom – if ever – missing a production, deserve highlighting.
The triumvirate of Robert Bill, Sandra Bill and Rhonda Cummins ensure CADS and KAOS (Kids Acting on Stage) get a theatre event happening at Crookwell Memorial Hall every year. Simon Bill, son of Robert and Sandra, is also now invaluable to the production team as CADS’s lighting designer.
While CADS will continue the tradition of providing quality entertainment for the good folk of Crookwell and surrounds for many more years to come, it will, sadly, be the Rowley Champagne Coach’s last hurrah.
CADS patron Desley Rowley has been responsible each show for gathering the troops from out of town, literally in the thousands over many years, organising the coach, the driver and tables for two of CADS’s BYO Supper Shows performances.
Departing from Goulburn, theatre-goers from Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra climb aboard the 56-seat coach which offers a bottomless glass of champagne, served with Desley’s famous Cote d’Or chocolates and fresh strawberries.
The cast has been known to hold up their performance, waiting for the merry revellers to arrive. “Sydney people are fascinated, they have never seen anything like it,” Desley says. “I love seeing their reaction. A man from Canberra turned to me one night and said, ‘Desley, this is amazing.’ He has been coming ever since.”
The call is going out now to all entertainment-loving citizens of the Upper Lachlan to acknowledge and celebrate Helen Campbell’s 32 years continuous commitment to CADS including musically directing 15 music halls.
It’s also timely to pay tribute to CADS patron Desley Rowley for her tireless organisation of those well-travelled champagne coaches as they make their final road trip to Crookwell in June.
“Back to those Music Hall Days” will see a return to the good old days of Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society in the 1990s with a selection of some of their popular ‘old time’ musical numbers and skits. Not only will the material be plucked from the archives, but so too will be a number of cast members who took part in those early shows.
It will be the greatest of pleasures to welcome back to the stage old time favourites Annette Prell, Debb O’Brien, Chris Croker, Christine Bentley, Stephen Rigby, Margaret Wheelwright, Ken Wheelwright, Tory Simmons (Croker), Narelle Kennedy, Andrew ‘Boots’ Harborne, Sarah Lowe and Des Rowley.
CADS’ stalwart performers Heather Davies, Wal Smart, Michael Lowe and Rechell Naughton, all recently seen on stage, will be joined again this year by Rob Huskinson, Maggie Rikard-Bell, Lyn Green, Margaret Hudson and CADS’ latest newcomer to the stage from the 2018 Lady Godiva – Dallas Atkins.
For the very first time, Darren ‘Buckets’ O’Brien will be making it a full family affair as wife Rie and teenage children Ellis and Misha join him on the Memorial Hall stage.
This year’s production welcomes some making their CADS debut, local schoolie Nic Bensley and Goulburnite Kevin Breen. Chris Hinton, recently known to CADS patrons for his direction of Cinderella in 2016, will fill the role of music hall chairman, so capably controlled through the 1990s by the irrepressible Phil Meckiff, now retired to the south coast.
Of course, no music hall can happen without the magic fingers of Mrs Helen Lowe as she once again takes her rightful place alongside Mrs Campbell in ‘tickling the ivories’ for their 15th music hall. These two ladies form the keystone of CADS’ live musical performances. Many times they have enjoyed the accompaniment of “drummer boy” Dale Chalker, who will once again be keeping the beat.
What is going to make this show something special is its salute to those music hall days that have been such a standout feature of CADS offerings over the last 32 years. The effort required to stage the music halls is enormous. The search for material, the construction of sets and lighting design, the organisation of casting and scheduling of rehearsal times, make music hall productions a time-consuming and exhausting venture which takes many months of preparation by a small group of dedicated theatre-loving volunteers.
Some behind-the-scenes ‘drivers’ who have remained loyal and committed to the success of CADS since 1987, seldom if ever missing a production, deserve highlighting. The triumvirate of Robert Bill, Sandra Bill and Rhonda Cummins ensure CADS and KAOS (Kids Acting On Stage) get a theatre event happening on the stage of the Crookwell Memorial Hall every year. Simon Bill, son of Robert and Sandra, is also now invaluable to the production team as CADS’ lighting designer.
And while CADS will continue the tradition of providing quality entertainment for the good folk of Crookwell and surrounds for many more years to come, it will, sadly, be the Rowley Champagne Coach’s last hurrah.
We pay tribute to CADS patron Desley Rowley for her tireless organisation of those well-travelled Champagne Coaches, as they make their final road trip to Crookwell in June.
Desley has been responsible each show for gathering the troops from out of town, literally in the thousands over many years, organising the coach, the driver and tables for two of CADS’ BYO Supper Show performances.
Departing from Goulburn, theatre-goers from Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra climb aboard the 56-seater coach which offers a bottomless glass of champagne, served with Desley’s famous Cote d’Or chocolates and fresh strawberries.
For ticketing information and bookings, contact the Crookwell Visitor Information Centre ph 4832 1988. “Back to those Music Hall Days” will be held over the last two weekends in June. In response to demand, there will be two theatre seating matinees, an opening night half price special and three BYO supper table shows.
The countdown has begun for the Crookwell Amateur Dramatic Society’s (CADS) production of Lady Godiva.
With a short season of five performances, including one matinee on Sunday, June 24, Lady Godiva will be a winter-warmer full of slapstick tongue-in-cheek humour – a recipe that has proven popular with Crookwell and district audiences for many years.
Judith Prior’s theatre restaurant scripts have seen a regular airing on the stage of the Crookwell Memorial Hall in between CADS’ hugely popular music hall variety shows.
Anne Cleary and her right-hand “Jill-of-all-trades” Rhonda Cummins, are directing this year’s production.
Chosen for its bawdy humour, distorted history and musical moments to warm the cockles as Crookwell plunges into winter. A simple set, minimal props, and costumes as creative as the imagination requires, made the choice a no-brainer.
Mrs Helen Campbell, also a stalwart of the CADS Music Halls, will be accompanying the cast members on piano.
An ensemble cast of nine as opposed to a music hall cast of thirty, has made rehearsal time more streamlined this year.
A six weeks rehearsal period consisting of three nights a week has meant a big commitment by the actors. CADS prides itself on plucking every day ordinary local people out of their daily routines and transforming them into polished entertainers.
This year’s cast is no exception as we welcome back to the stage CADS regulars Richard Ferris, Heather Davies, Michael Lowe, Colleen O’Reilly, Andrew “Boots” Harborne, Brenda Proudman and Rochell Naughton.
The youngest cast member Holly Couggan is making a return to the stage following her debut last year in “Outback Debutante Ball”. CADS welcomes to its ranks newcomer to Crookwell Dallas Atkins – another local willing to get up on stage in the name of entertainment.
Recent years has seen other events take over the busy month of November, so this year CADS decided to trial a change to June. So, on a chilly Crookwell winter night or afternoon, treat yourselves to an entertaining show of Lady Godiva in the well heated hall.
Shows will run from June 22 to June 30. Tickets can be purchased at the Visitors Information Centre.
K.A.O.S staged three performances of Funhouse Variety Concert at the weekend, with positive reviews from the audience.
The hot ticket of the weekend was Saturday night’s performance, which sold 71 tickets.
It was Rob Huskisson’s first time in the director’s chair, after starting with CADS and K.A.O.S 14 years ago.
“I wanted it to be an enjoyable time for all the kids,” Mr Huskisson said.
“It has been fun, challenging, and very rewarding through rehearsals.”
It comes down to hard work from the 23 kids, and the dedication of the parents to get them to rehearsals, he said.
He said the cast had met all his expectations. “I was quietly confident,” he added.
“There were a few nerves on Friday night, they were excited to get going, they put on a great show.”
By Sunday afternoon they had performed the show twice already, and except for an audio slight at the start of the performance, (the first and only of the weekend), K.A.O.S pulled it off without a hitch.
Members of the audience were dancing in the aisles to rock band Undressed to Impress, and comedy skits had the crowd in stitches.
The youngest performing member was 3-year-old Alec Gardiner, and the eldest Abby Woods, 14.
The show included solo and group performances of classic songs, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Give Us a Home Among the Gum Trees, and We Are Australian. Joke sequences, and comedy skits.
