The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society
One of the oldest amateur theatre societies in the United Kingdom
| The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society | |
.png){kind=logo} FHODS logo | |
| Organisation Details | |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | FHODS |
| Founded | 1902 (as the Folkestone Dramatic & Music Club) |
| Type | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Charity No. | 1180504 |
| Home Venue | The Tower Theatre, North Road, Folkestone |
| Location | Folkestone, Kent, England |
| Members | Open to all — performers, crew, front of house and volunteers |
| Website | towertheatrefolkestone.co.uk/fhods |
The Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society (FHODS) is one of the oldest amateur theatre societies in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1902, it is based at The Tower Theatre in Folkestone, Kent, which the society has owned since 2001. FHODS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered under charity number 1180504, and is a member of the Little Theatre Guild of Great Britain. It is one of the very few amateur theatre societies in the UK to own its own venue outright.
History
Founding: The Folkestone Dramatic & Music Club (1902)
The society was founded in 1902 as the Folkestone Dramatic & Music Club, performing at the Woodward Institute in Folkestone. In 1913 it was renamed the Folkestone Operatic Society, with operatic productions moving to the Pleasure Gardens Theatre — a venue that had first opened in 1851 and became the society's home for large-scale work.
The society closed for the duration of World War I (1914–1918), then resumed productions until the outbreak of World War II (1939–1945), when it closed once more.
Post-war expansion (1947)
The society resumed after the war and in 1947 added "Hythe" to its name, becoming the Folkestone-Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society, reflecting its growing regional membership. Productions in this period were spread across several venues: operatic work continued at the Pleasure Gardens Theatre, while dramatic productions were staged at the Leas Pavilion Theatre, Folkestone Town Hall, and Chichester Hall in Sandgate.
Ham Yard Theatre (1952–1963)
In 1952 FHODS acquired part of the Queen's Hotel annexe in Church Street, Folkestone, and developed it into the 57-seat Ham Yard Theatre — the society's first dedicated home for dramatic productions. Over the following years FHODS staged 114 productions there.
The closure and eventual demolition of the Pleasure Gardens Theatre in the 1960s brought an end to that chapter of the society's operatic history. Large-scale productions subsequently moved to other venues, including the Odeon and the Ritz in Hythe.
The Little Theatre, Sandgate (1963–2001)
In 1963 FHODS acquired a former church in Sandgate and converted it into the 104-seat Little Theatre, Sandgate, which became the society's primary home through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. The pantomime tradition, established in 1975, was initially performed at the Leas Pavilion Theatre before transferring to the Leas Cliff Hall, where it ran for over two decades. Having outgrown the Sandgate site, FHODS began looking for larger premises.
The Tower Theatre (2001–present)
In 2001 FHODS purchased The Tower Theatre — a former garrison church on North Road, Folkestone, originally built in 1941 as the Garrison Church of St Mark at Shorncliffe Camp. The building had closed in 1998, and FHODS undertook an extensive programme of restoration and development to transform it into a working theatre capable of hosting the full range of the society's productions. The Tower Theatre holds Grade II listed status, recognising its architectural and historic importance.
In 2007 FHODS staged Oliver! as the inaugural production on the newly developed main stage. In 2017, to mark ten years at the venue, the society mounted a second production of Oliver!.
Productions
FHODS stages between six and ten productions each year at The Tower Theatre, including musicals, dramas, comedies, an annual pantomime, and Youth Section productions. The society also hosts external hire events, tribute acts, community performances and concerts.
Youth Section
The FHODS Youth Section is a dedicated programme for young people, staging full productions on The Tower Theatre's main stage. It has developed a reputation for ambitious work and has helped a number of young members progress to drama school and professional theatre careers. The Youth Section is co-ordinated by Michelle Hartley.
Membership
FHODS is open to new members of all backgrounds and experience levels — both as performers and as volunteers in backstage, technical, and front of house roles. No prior experience is required.
Former Venues