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Viva Mexico was two lovely hours of extravaganza ....
VIVA Kirtonia! I have carried out my annual search for superlatives on the occasion of CODS (Crediton Opera and Dramatic Society's) presentation of Viva Mexico! and the best and most appropriate I can come up with is an extravaganza! A fantastic show, for two hours taking us away from all the problems brought on by the recession, leaving the theatre with a great deal to remember and talk about when browsing through the programme again. The programme itself was a superb production with brilliant photographs of many of the cast peering through an assortment of large cacti, also many of their faces attached to caricature bodies, also rehearsal photos of the cast appearing to be very happy, if not always so! Congratulations, too, for the excellent publicity in the Courier and around the town which, I am certain, resulted in full and happy houses throughout the run. Requiring such a large floor space for such a big cast the set was a bit simpler than that in many past productions, but there were touches of genius in the lowering the top of the arch to reveal the Aztec Princess, whilst the flea circus was itchially brilliant. Although there were many outstanding comical moments throughout the show, I will only mention one particular member of the large cast who were all excellent. He would be the short-notice replacement for Pablo, who managed the difficult but extremely funny moving around the screens with Pepe in the bedroom scene, whilst at the same time saying his lines. I am sure that well before the final night he had thrown away the bit of paper! This reminded me that what appears to be a major disaster when lines are forgotten or a bit of the set falls down; on-stage it seems a long silence before the dialogue is resumed, but in fact some of the audience may not even have noticed it and will have forgotten it within a few moments, but this may not apply in the dressing-rooms after the act! Congratulations to the whole company for a wonderful show. Our enjoyment of the evening was heightened by our carrying out a very large picnic hamper, the major prize in the evening's raffle, a very rare event. Not picnic weather, but we enjoyed the contents a few days later. Thank you CODS! Peter Phillput
Letter to Crediton Courier from Bill Rimmer. Congratulations to CODS for another successful production. It was written as an amateur show apparently but performed very professionally by our local society. It was a jolly "fun" show with enthusiastic contributions from the leading characters, Ben's impetuous dashing about was infectious, but very able portrayed another side in his duet with Sheena whose singing was outstanding. Hilary was the confident matriarchal figure along with faultless renditions of her musical contributions. Siggi`s "over the top" humorous characterisation as Mendoza and Nick as Pepe.An outstanding performance from a young man in his debut role. What would we do without the "all singing all dancing"chorous line? As usual we have an "intimate" theatre atmosphere created with a set that would do credit to a performance in a professional theatre. It would be remiss not to congratulate the team who produced the programme. The art work, layout and printing were on a par with any big city theatre productions. Was there a downside? Yes the people of Crediton, the readers of this newspaper. It would have been nice if more of you had managed to come and support this CODS production. People packed the seats to see Oliver! and Superstar. Please take a risk and see the lesser known shows. This is a ready made "live" show, of professional standard, on your doorstep. No great distances to travel to incur expenses of fuel and accommodation. The society have put on a production during the Easter holidays for the past 47 years, so there is no excuse, so make a date in your diary for next year (8th -13th April ). It doesn't matter what the show is, we know it will be good and enjoyable. It supports the local community and is an appreciation for all the hard work and expense the society incur to keep "live" theatre in Crediton. Bill Rimmer. Gloria & Bernie Little .... Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed Viva Mexico. Everyone has really worked hard and it shows. It looked like you were all enjoying yourselves to which makes it a win win situation. Hope CODs were at least able to break even, the people who didn't go missed a great show. Best wishesGloria & Bernie Little
Barbara Williams - Viva - well done CODS we loved it, lots of brilliant dancing and singing. John and Nick fabulous. Hilary - you are your mum - no that's a compliment honest! All the cast - great. A fun evening. Freya won a prize in the raffle. It was an amazing Mexican Fajita kit. Well done to whoever thought of that and put it together. She can't wait to take it home and make it. (Comment posted on Facebook, April 2012) Janice Taylor - Went to see the CODS show, Viva Mexico, last night with family aged from 10 to 91, we all loved it. The singing, the dancing, so much energy and so many laughs! Brilliant! If you haven't got tickets already, try and get some for one night this week - it is on until Saturday. (Comment posted on Facebook, April 2012) Tony Hutchings - VIVA MEXICO! Will you please pass on my very best wishes and appreciation of a thoroughly enjoyable evening yesterday. Joan and I both thought it a super production and congratulations to all concerned. Please also pass on my thanks to Carole Stoyle (I don't have her email address) for the welcome drinks and nibbles. Much appreciated after a 70+ mile drive. Wishing you all continued success. April 2012
Sheila Job - What a fantastic concert! Well done to you all. Sept 2011
Judy Tucker - Very much enjoyed the CODS concert last night and full of admiration for the slickness of the catering too! Sept 2011
Paul and Issy Penny - We very much enjoyed the concert of Saturday, very well done to you all. Sept 2011
Debbie Cureton - Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed Jesus Christ Superstar, brilliant! This was my first time at a CODS performance and I loved it. Well done to all those involved. May 2010
Sue Digby - Fabulous show, Tuesday. Well worth the 120 mile round trip from 'proper' Pirate country! Best wishes! May 2008
Carole Rimmer - A superb show last night, shame about the sound, but we loved it. The set was spectacular and had some great touches, even the names on the map. It was exciting, funny and colourful, and it's great to see CODS in such fine fettle and with new young faces and enthusiasm. By performing in the round, you change a dingy barn of a school into a cosy little theatre. The foyer was beautifully decorated and set the scene as soon as one entered. Best wishes for the rest fot he week. April 2008
Duncan Wright - Gosh! I found the site by accident today. Looking back at the photographs brought back many memories, it is nice to see that CODS is still going strong, and that I can now keep up to date from the other side of the world. I was in Iolanthe 1993, Merry England in '94, then Trial by Jury as the usher. I now live in Fremantle Western Australia with Melanie and our 8 year old daughter Emily. we moved here from Exeter about 10 years ago and run our own Fashion and Commercial Photography studio. G&S is quite big here but not the same with the AUzzie twang!!! Best of luck with the upcoming show and I look forward to keeping up to date from now on. Best weishes to all who might remember me. 2008
Keir Sims - What a cracking web site. Jacki, as in Hayes, directed me to it. In the photos, I recognise some whose thespian sell-by date is long gone. I was a set painter in the first Pinafore, afeared to do anything else. Regards to all, from a sunny Spanish shore an ex Don and Duke. 2008
Anton Rich (Tenor, English National Opera) - To all concerned, What memories this site has brought back, seeing all those photos and particularly those of my talented father, Arthur. Even some of myself with Dad in Fledermaus! Best wishes to you all. 2008
Neil Rich - Hi there, Really enjoyed browsing through your website. My Dad (Arthur Rich) was a member of CODS from The Gondoliers in the 60's through to the 80's. My brother (Antony)sings with English National Opera - his first operatic role was in CODS Die Fliedermaus in the 70s! My sister Fran Pennington was also a member during the late 60s/ early 70s. As a small child I got roped in as various swordbearers, pages and stableboys. In your 60s archive there is a photo which presumably has not been identified with a particular show titled "Anyone Know?" It's from Merrie England. Check it with the full cast shot from the same archive. I always thought that this was the best of that first crop of shows. A really good score with some belting tunes, lovely costumes/scenery and a really strong cast with some very talented singers and actors....Paul Evans, Keir and Shirley Sims, Mary Discombe, Vera Hamish-Wilson, Robin Turner (and the old man) to name but a few. I think the producer was Walter Hosegood. However, my main reason for e-mailing......Would you be interested in having some downloadable audio files on the site from earlier productions? If so, I can let you have some. My father was a very talented amateur singer. He died back in the early 90's. Some years ago my brother put a letter in the local paper to see if anyone had any recordings of his singing. John Cope (another CODS talent) had some 1/4 inch tapes in his attic of four shows - "Ruddigore", "Oklahoma", "Patience" and "The Quaker Girl". These were basic home tape recordings with one mic probably at the side of the stage. Remarkably, the tapes were still in reasonable, playable condition. The recording quality wasn't great but with a bit of processing and noise reduction I managed to convert what I thought were the best performances (and some were really very good) into quite acceptable digital wav files. Obviously, there's quite a bit of Arthur Rich but there are also solos, duets, ensembles and choral performances from other cast members. Anyway, if you're interested in a copy mail me back or 'phone me and I'll happily send you a CD. 2008
Derek Lion 1925 - 2009
Members of the Society were very sad to hear of the death of Derek Lion.
Derek, together with his wife Olive, were founder members of CODS, (or COS as it was then) way back in 1965.
Through the years Derek participated in many shows and was a very active participant in the management
of the Society, serving in most offices, including Chairman.
Quoting from Hilary's tribute at his funeral service, ' Derek believed in treating people with respect
and, as a consequence he was respected in return. He was regarded as a man of inordinate good sense
and sound judgment who, whatever the circumstances, could be relied on to give good advice.
He was a pragmatic, methodical man and a stickler for following the correct procedures, which made
him much sought after and a valued committee member.'
Those of us who knew Derek in the Society will readily agree with these sentiments and remember him with great affection.
During his time in Crediton Derek was involved in a great number of organisations and
associations where he also made a significant contribution to his local community.
A quiet man, quick witted and wonderful sense of humour, he was also very modest .
While he was a key figure in the early development of the Society the accompanying photographs
had to be cropped from his favourite place on the stage ... the back row of the chorus!
Derek's long association with CODS is now being actively continued by Hilary, Jo and Philip
as they tread the boards in 'The Baker's Wife'.
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