Merrow Dramatic Society
Where Local Amateur Talent Shines
What's On?
MDS Youth Company are excited to present
Matilda the Musical Jr!
Inspired by the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda the Musical Jr is an adaptation of the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis Kelly.
The tiniest mite packs the mightiest sting! The story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
After the great success of our musical 'The Addams Family' last year, MDS Youth Company is back.
Dates: Friday 30th - Saturday 31st May
Times: 1.30pm and 6.30pm (both days)
Venue: Tormead School, Guildford GU1 2JD
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR. is presented through special arrangement with and all authorised materials are supplied by Music Theatre International mtishows.co.uk
October Show Auditions
Two short comedies - one hilarious night!
Come and audition for MDS’s Autumn show
"The Committee", (when amateur theatre goes wrong).
Two behind the scenes comedies - ‘Making Theatre History’ and ‘The Crying Dame’ - that prove the real drama happens offstage!
Show dates are 23rd to 25th October 2025 at Tormead School Theatre.
Auditions are open to those aged 17+ and will be in person.
An audition pack will be sent out at least two weeks before auditions dates.
Dates:
Tuesday 1st July - 7.30-9.30pm
Wednesday 2nd July - 7.30-9.30pm
Venue: St. John's Church Centre, Merrow GU4 7AA
To book your audition email:
[email protected]
Panto Auditions!!!!
Is it your time to shine on stage?
Do you have a flair for the dramatic.....or downright silly?
Join us for a magical, musical, and marvellously madcap adventure as we bring the classic tale of Dick Whittington to life for our next Panto, in January 2026.
We're looking for performers to join our cast.
Singing, dancing, slapstick and silliness - come and be part of the magic!
Dates:
Sunday 13th July - Juniors 4-6pm & Adults 6-8pm
Tuesday 15th July - Juniors 6-8pm & Adults 8-10pm
Venue:
St. John's Church Centre, Merrow GU4 7AA
To book your audition email:
[email protected]
Our Sponsors
We thank our sponsors for their generous support
Local Guildford resident Rosie Nixon is proud to sponsor MDS's production of Matilda.
Rosie is an author, broadcaster and the founder of Rosie's Reinvention Retreats for midlife women.
Her new novel Bad Influence will be published this summer and she is also the author of the Be Kind book.
Rosie is a passionate supporter of the arts and young people. You can read more about her work here: www.rosienixon.co.uk or @rosiejnixon.
Bigmore Associates provides expert financial services for all of life’s important moments.
From your first home purchase to pensions and investments to estate planning, it is our goal to help you manage and align your finances with what matters most to you.
Who are we?
Welcome to Merrow's heartbeat for theatrical excellence, nestled in the heart of Guildford, Surrey.
Discover the Legacy: Since the 1920s
We're not just a drama society; we're a living legacy.
Merrow Dramatic Society has been delivering top-tier performances for over a century, dating back to the glamorous 1920s.
Unveil Our Vibrant Community Spirit
Merrow Dramatic Society isn't just about the stage; we're an integral part of the Merrow community.
Our repertoire spans from riveting plays to soul-stirring poetry evenings, immersive play readings, show-stopping musical theatre, and a lineup of fabulous social events.
Spotlight on Premier Venues
Our productions shine at the professionally-equipped theatres.
And the magic of our annual pantomime, a beloved Merrow tradition since the '50s, unfolds at the Merrow Village Hall.
A Theatrical Spectrum: Classics to Thrillers
Dive into a diverse selection of theatrical experiences, from intense classics to sidesplitting comedies and spine-tingling thrillers.
We're committed to showcasing local talent, and we warmly welcome new members of all ages, whether your passion lies on or off the stage.
Join us today and become a part of Merrow Dramatic Society's rich tapestry of theatrical excellence.
Let's bring your talents to life on the Merrow stage!
Committee 2024 - 2025
Chair: Jonathan Burston
Vice-Chair: Elena Mason
Treasurer: Sam May
Secretary: Cathy Greaves
Committee Members: Christina Mason, Rob Greaves, Sarah Wood, Katy Lucas, Ellie Plaice, Liz Drain, Ellie May, Alastair Watson
Our Last YC Show - The Addams Family
This year's MDS Youth Company musical production of 'The Addams Family' was a creepy, kooky hit! Directed by Christina Mason, Elena Mason and Alastair Watson, and choreographed by Jo Burston. We performed at St Catherine's School in Bramley, a beautiful new venue for MDS. We were fortunate to have such an amazing home for this show.
The scenery was beautiful, and really allowed the audience to be drawn into the mysterious world of the Addams family. We worked with 'World of Wigle' set company to find the perfect set for this show.
The stars of this show, the fantastic young performers in our Youth Company, have been widely commended by audiences, crew and the venue for their professionalism both on and off stage. This cast worked very hard, not only to produce such wonderful performances on stage, but to build their skills in acting, singing and dancing, and also their confidence. The creative team were lucky and proud to see this development over the course of the rehearsal period. Each and every one of the cast should be extremely proud of the work they produced, and the bar has certainly been set for all future Youth Company performances.
Thank you to our crew (Steph, Rob, Diane, Will and Rosie), headed by Stage Manager, Daniel Bundy, and Lighting Designer, Kevin Wright. Also a massive thank you to Rob and Duncan from St Catherine's for all their support during show week. We hope to be back soon! Thank you to John from Front of House Photography for these gorgeous photos.
Finally, thank you to everyone who supported the show - both those who bought tickets, and those who helped out front of house and back stage. This experience really drummed home that MDS is all about "family first, and family last, and family by and by"!
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