Welcome
Welcome to caods – Chelmsford’s leading amateur musical and dramatic society. Providing local audiences with West End style quality productions since November 1920, caods uses professional directors and musicians to support its talented amateur cast. Affiliated to the National Operatic & Dramatic Association, caods has achieved rare status in winning numerous NODA awards for its productions in recent years.
caods present two shows a year at the Chelmsford Theatre, and with its newly refurbished, yet intimate auditorium, and state-of-the-art staging and lighting perfectly showcases the society’s top-drawer productions. caods appeal for Chelmsford audiences seems to be our ability to simultaneously surprise and delight. From Gershwin to Berlin, Lerner & Loewe to Lloyd Webber caods eclectic mix of musicals ensures continued success and an enviable reputation.
caods has charitable status and has been self-funding since its inception.
We Will Rock You! Important Information
If you’re a current members/member in the May 2023- May 2025 membership year, we would like to inform you of some changes to the audition process for your next production, We Will Rock You. This is due to waiting for so so many years for this show, and it is only available for a short 12 month period.
The auditions being held on Sunday 19th October are for members only from the May 2023-May 2025 membership years
If any parts or dancers/ensemble spaces are not filled, due to lack of numbers or unsuitability for a role, we will continue with the auditions for new members on Wednesday 22nd October, if not required these auditions will be cancelled.
Please note, the Wednesday (22nd Oct) date is not an opportunity for current members to submit a late audition, nor will we be accepting any video auditions for this show. Vocally this is very different to what we have done in the past and you may be asked to express yourself differently in the audition itself. You may also be asked to play a character you have auditioned for in a slightly different way on the day, these two reasons are why there will be no video auditions.
The Open Evening on the 1st October will be open to all, and the audition process explained to new members both on the evening and on our socials.
Tickets are on sale now on the Chelmsford Theatre website
NODA Awards
We are delighted to share that our production of Kiss Me Kate has been awarded Best Musical in District 8 at the NODA awards. This recognition highlights the skill and dedication of our cast and crew and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to excellence within the Chelmsford arts community. Thank you to all who have supported us throughout this process.
caods celebrates 100 years
caods is celebrating it’s 100th anniversary! On 8 November 1920 the first public meeting of Chelmsford Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society was held at the Corn Exchange in Chelmsford ahead of their first production, HMS Pinafore. It is safe to say that we haven’t looked back since!
Since then caods has performed 171 shows, with only a break of eight years around WW2. Why not can take a look at our full History and Past Shows – here is our first cast member photo from HMS Pinafore performed in April 1921. caods have consistently pushed the limits of our Society to bring the best of theatre to Chelmsford, as can be seen by our many Awards.
Eric Smart at Broomfield Hospital Radio recently dedicated a show to 100 years of caods with memories and songs from our recent show. You can listen to the programme here.
From operas to dramas, circus tricks to full prosthetics and everything in between caods thank all our members, helpers, supporters and audiences over the years for our continued success. Here’s to another 100 years!