The ODS Story

Overton Dramatic Society owes its origins to founder members Stella Holbrook and Janet Eves. Casual discussions about a drama group quickly led to an initial meeting of like-minded enthusiasts, chaired by drama teacher John Baxter.  Staging of the first plays, "The Monkey's Paw" and "Fumed Oak", followed in the spring of 1980, and ODS was born. 

Clive and Meg Green joined the society soon after those first spring shows, and with Clive's professional acting and directing experience, the play "The Happiest Days of your Life" was performed in the autumn, using lighting kit borrowed from the local WI, and scenery and set cobbled together from sheds and attics. 

Membership grew with each performance until it was  large enough to be able to perform the very first  pantomime, "Cinderella", in 1982.

Between the spring of 1980 and today, the Society has performed over 84 shows, and as well as running two very successful shows each year, the society packs in a busy social calendar centred in the village.  ODS also offers equipment hire and advice to other societies and groups.