On 11th October 1934 RAODS was founded, and on 26th February 1935 we presented our first show (The Mikado). So we are now in the middle of our 75th year celebrations, which continue throughout 2010.

In 1982 we acquired the Plaza (built as a cinema, and derelict for many years), refurbished it, and re-opened it as a theatre with our first production (Jack And The Beanstalk) in January 1984. At that time many individuals and organisations in and around Romsey were kind enough to donate funds to sponsor auditorium seats. A full list of all these kind people is permanently in our records. And if you are one of those original sponsors, or are associated with one of them, please accept our sincere thanks. The sponsor's plates you funded are to be framed, and placed in a prominent position in the theatre.

In the 25 years since Jack And The Beanstalk, RAODS have presented over 170 more shows at the Plaza - often including Invited Audience nights for a variety of good causes. The venue has also been used by other important local groups, such as the Michelmersh Band, Ocean Brass, and many schools in the area. At RAODS we have done our best to make sure that the local community gets full value from this wonderful asset. But ...

The Plaza, having been in use as a theatre for 25 years, is in need of refurbishment. Funds raised by RAODS members have paid for the upgrading of the Greenroom - it is now in use as a bar, coffee area, meeting space (available for hire!) and a small studio theatre. Also via RAODS funding, the front of the building has been repainted and the stair lift replaced – and the Plaza Bar will be painted in the near future. There is just one more thing we'd like to do during our 75th year - and that is repaint and re-upholster all 231 auditorium seats.

To help fund this upgrading of all the seating, we would like to invite you to take part in our 75th anniversary celebrations, by sponsoring one (or more) seats - at a cost of £75 per seat. Sponsors' plates will be approximately the shape and size as shown below, with your choice of wording. This will be strictly on a first-come first-served basis - with the earliest responses getting the widest choices of seats ! If you would like to sponsor seats in this way, please either write to the address shown above (marking the envelope SPONSOR SEATS) with your name and contact details or email the same information to sponsor.seats@raods.org.uk.

If you have ever seen a show at the Plaza, or ever intend to, please take this opportunity to help us Keep Theatre Live In Romsey! And many thanks for your time.