CAODS bring West End to Lincoln
Stroll down Sunset Boulevard with the County Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society this November as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.
The society, known as CAODS, is aiming to deliver a West End-worthy production directed by a double-award winning team and performed by a talented Lincolnshire cast.
“Any big anniversary in a society’s history offers a chance to look back and celebrate all the wonderful productions that have been presented over the years and the 75th anniversary of CAODS is no exception,” explained Kate Fenn, Society Secretary.
“However, it also provides a wonderful opportunity to look ahead to the future as we continue with this year’s wonderful performance of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard.”
The creative team behind this year’s musical production includes director Lyndon Warnsby, Musical Director David Williams, and costumier Helen Symonds, who all previously worked together on the award-winning production of Sweeney Todd at New Theatre Royal in 2022.
“CAODS is privileged to have such wonderful people on board to make sure that Sunset Boulevard is performed to an extremely high standard,” added Kate.
The musical is based on the 1950 Noir/Comedy film of the same title and revolves around character Norma Desmond, a faded star of the silent screen era, who lives in the past in her old mansion in the fabled Los Angeles boulevard. Part murder mystery, part romance, the story takes the audience through a magnificent and tragic tale.
Stars who have previously played Norma include Glenn Close and, more recently, Nicole Scherzinger, who was due to open on Broadway on September 28, after a West End run.
“When Lyndon told me that he was going to be doing Sunset, I just thought oh my goodness, this is going to be amazing,” said Helen Symonds, Costume Designer and Creator.
“Lyndon has got such an amazing vision and when I did Sweeney with him, I realised how amazing his vision was, but we’re very much on the same page. He can tell me what he’s thinking and I can visualise exactly what it is.”
Helen is working to bring typical Hollywood glamour to the stage for the autumn production, with nods to the period but teases that there will also be some surprises.
“Visually it is going to be something very different and something we’ve not done before, which is very challenging for me but I love challenges.
“I give actors a costume story and then you see them using it and turning it into their performance. Working with the cast in that way is really rewarding because you see your input into the production. Seeing the overall aesthetic and the show come together at the end, I feel very lucky to be doing this job.”
Helen explains that she thinks the 75-year-old society stays motivated to continue because of its strong support network, positive environment, and encouragement from previous audiences.
“There’s been so many comments where they’ve said ‘it’s West End quality, you pay so much money to see a show like this’, so it just fuels it, and because of the committee and the team, it’s got a really good quality to the productions.
“It’s like they’ve set this standard and it’s just getting better and better and better. I’m excited to see where they’re going to be in another 10 or 20 years!”
County Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society (Lincoln) will be performing Sunset Boulevard at the New Theatre Royal from 1 – 9 November. Tickets are available online at www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk or by telephoning 01522 519999.