Welcome
This is the website of Betchworth Operatic and Dramatic Society, commonly known as 'BODS'. We are a friendly society with a long tradition of high-quality music and drama productions at Betchworth Memorial Hall (between Reigate and Dorking) as well as varied social events. Feel free to explore information here about our history, past productions and future plans. Then come and join us !
BITS and BODS
Performances: 13-16th May, Betchworth Village Hall
A miscellany of music and drama to celebrate 90 years since the very first BODS production. Includes a Gilbert & Sullivan medley and a selection from Salad Days, My Fair Lady and The Merry Widow, both specially devised by Alison Cooper and Ian Stone
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Cast |
David Ames, Diana Barnsley, Julie Bickerdike, Lynda Barrett-Mercer, Dee Coutts, Julian Edney, Sarah Esser-Haswell, Jane Flanders, Ellie Hubbard, Gerald Hulf, Jane Johnson, Virginia King, Gail Lowe, Diane Mayall, Neil Mayall, Roger Nelson, Sue Nelson, Kieran O'Neil, Joanne Packham, Jane Seymour, Linda Slater, Emoke Soproni, Jane Straker, Peter Telford, Peter Thomas, Stephen Tickell, Christina Usher, Neil Williams |
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Narrator |
David Longes |
| Directors | Alison Cooper, Gail Lowe, Diane Mayall, Stephen Tickell |
| Musical Director |
Ian Stone |
| Lighting | David Ames |
| Choreographer | Gail Lowe |
Acting Workshop 2026
All are welcome to a BODS acting workshop on Saturday 31 January. We've been fortunate to receive a small grant specifically to run a workshop from the All England Theatre Festival fund, which we were eligible for after our entry in the 2025 Southern Counties festival
This enables us to offer a one-day event with a professional tutor for just £10 per person. It will be led by David Rowan, an experienced actor who amongst various activities is associate director of the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival and also runs an annual young people's summer theatre course for Oxted Players
Taking place at Reigate Methodist Church, from 10-4 with a light lunch and tea/coffee breaks provided, the programme will be a relaxed opportunity to develop your acting skills, including:
- Finding greater freedom to express character and comedy physically and vocally.
- Focus on character work (physical, vocal) with improv and fun theatre games
- Exercises in groups and pairs (but avoiding any embarrassment or exposure)
No prior experience is assumed, with the emphasis on fun and trying out things we wouldn't have time for in a normal rehearsal. It's aimed at adults, but under-18s can attend if accompanied. To book your place please fill in the form at forms.gle/r7SGqZzzzzwPRsRq5 by 25 January, or contact us for more information
Lucky Stiff
Performances: 5-8 November 2025, Betchworth Village Hall
Director: Fiona Kuhn-Thompson
Musical Director: Paul Thompson
From the writers of Ragtime and Seussical comes a madcap musical caper bursting with laughs, romance, and roulette.
Meet timid shoe salesman Harry, who must wheel his uncle’s corpse through Monte Carlo for a shot at six million dollars - while a short-sighted accidental murderess, a seductive nightclub singer, and the world’s most earnest dog-lover complicate everything.
With sparkling songs (“Good to Be Alive,” “Times Like This”), dazzling disguises, and whip-smart farce, Lucky Stiff zips from East Grinstead to the French Riviera at breakneck speed.
Grab your friends, place your bets, and join us for a killer night out where the only sure thing is big, uproarious fun.
This is the first BODS full production staged completely 'in the round'. The audience will be seated all around the action which takes place in the middle of the hall rather than on the stage
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International
Cast
| Harry | Peter Telford |
| Vinnie | David Longes |
| Luigi | Roger Nelson |
| Annabel | Jane Khan |
| Rita | Diane Mayall |
| Dominique | Emoke Soproni |
| Landlady | Ellie Hubbard |
| Solicitor | Joanne Packham |
| Emcee | Gerald Hulf |
| Spinster | Julie Bickerdike |
| Punk | Linda Slater |
| Trucker | Dee Coutts |
| Nun | Jane Johnson |
| The stiff | Madalyn Cross |
| Ensemble | Kelly Cross, Margaret Longes, Tracey Hulf Gerald Hulf, Christina Usher, Stephen Tickell Julie Bickerdike, Linda Slater, Dee Coutts, Jane Johnson, Gail Lowe, Joanne Packham, Adrià Tarrida, Ellie Hubbard |
Production Team
| Director | Fiona Kuhn-Thompson |
| Musical Director | Paul Thompson |
| Stage Manager | Neil Mayall |
| Sound & Lighting | David Ames |
| Musicians | Paul Thompson, Ian Stone |
| Props | Dee Coutts, Joanne Packham |
| Production Secretary | Linda Slater |
| Costume | Julie Bickerdike, Fiona Kuhn-Thompson |
| Poster | Fiona Kuhn-Thompson, Stephen Tickell |
| Programme | Stephen Tickell |
| Photography | Geoff Martin |
| Front of House | Jane Flanders, Carole Clark |
