VODS is 60. Long live amateur performing arts!
“These days a lot of people are depressed and weary, but the theatre and performing arts give them hope. It offers an escape from everyday life.” - Kimberly Coetzee
One of the oldest amateur dramatic societies in the country recently celebrated its 60th birthday.
The Vereeniging Operatic and Dramatic Society, better known as VODS, was established in June 1961.
On 30 October 2021, the current and honorary members celebrated 60 years of local performing arts in style.
Kimberly Coetzee has been an integral part of VODS for over 30 years.
“Last year was a challenge, but we survived with smaller shows in our Club House,” she said.
She also mentioned the special show, Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue last December.
It was a tribute to one of VODS’ honorary members, Moya Parsons.
Moya was part of VODS for more than 50 years. She passed away on 25 September 2020.
At the formal celebratory function, the society looked back on 60 years of great shows in Afrikaans and English.
They remembered the founding members, Adolf Theron, Tienie van Wyk, and Eris Malan, and that very first full-scale operetta, The Merry Widow in 1964.
It was directed by Eris Malan with Adolf Theron as chorus master and Doreen Lotzof-Shapiro as musical director.
This venture was one of faith, as the society had only R52,00 in the kitty at that time.
The production was an unqualified success thanks to the enthusiasm of every member.
Throughout the years they had many great productions.
Kimberly said VODS opened the former Vaal Triangle Technikon Hall and at the same time celebrated Vereeniging’s 75th Anniversary with “The Gipsy Baron” by Johann Strauss in May 1967, directed by Charles Vernon and Doreen Lotzof-Shapiro.
The Society opened the Vereeniging City Hall with a bilingual revue, Koffiehuis Kabaret, in 1976 and a year later they had the privilege to open the Vereeniging Civic Theatre with Gigi by Lerner and Loewe.
This musical was directed by Malcolm Sykes and Jan Badenhorst.
Ten years later they joined in the Civic Theatre’s 10th anniversary with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed by Richard Loring, and with Moya Parsons as musical director.
VODS is still going strong. Kimberly says the Society will survive as long as there are members with a passion for the performing arts.
“These days a lot of people are depressed and weary, but the theatre and performing arts give them hope. It offers an escape from everyday life.”
“We are planning an awesome production for next year, along with the smaller shows and karaoke nights.
“People are welcome to join us. We are always looking for new members, be that as actors, singers, dancers, cleaners, supporters or stage builders and painters,” she declared.
To find out more visit their Facebook group, VODS.
