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 have achieved rare status in winning numerous NODA awards for its productions in recent years.

caods presents two shows a year at the Civic Theatre, and with its modern, 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.

Shake Your Groove Thing!

 
caods is heading Down Under with this glitzy, musical comedy about three friends bringing their show to the middle of the Australian outback. With a hit parade of dance floor favourites including It’s Raining Men, I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love the Nightlife, this wildly fresh and funny musical is a journey to the heart of fabulous! Take a look at some of the photos on our Current Show page and get your tickets before they all go!
 
Tickets are now on sale at the Chelmsford Theatre Box Office.
 

Standing Ovations for Fabulous Cast

caods had an emotional rollercoaster of a show with ‘Calendar Girls‘, one minute we were laughing and the next we were crying. With very brave ladies bearing all on stage, a fantastic cast and crew, and standing ovations from wonderful audiences it is a show caods will not forget for a while. Thank you for those who came to support us and you can see reviews and photos in our Past Shows page.
 
caods supported both Blood Cancer UK and Cancer Research UK at the show in memory of our dear friend Lynette Sullivan.
 

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 166 shows, with only a break of eight years around WW2. Why not can take a look at our full History and Past Shows – from our first cast member photo from HMS Pinafore performed in April 1921 to our most recent shows of Shrek The Musical in February 2020 and Sweet Charity in September 2021. 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 thanks all our members, helpers, supporters and audiences over the years for our continued success. Here’s to another 100 years!

Audiences Say…

“Congratulations to you all. I brought a coach party to your afternoon matinee yesterday, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the show immensely, and thought it was your best ever. Such an enormous cast, and the dancers were so all together, professionals could not have done better. The main characters were excellent, such strong voices – I certainly could not have been able to remember all that script!!!”

— Audience member, My Fair Lady, March 2019