History:
The Dorking Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society put on its first show, The Mikado, in 1927. When the Dorking Halls were built in 1931 they opened with the Society’s production of The Gondoliers. After the war the society was re-established and in 1947 became Dorking Dramatic and Operatic Society. Since then it has staged a big musical every year in the Dorking Halls, breaking only for b
uilding refurbishment. With a production budget of over £35,000, the big show gives actors and backstagers, both old hands and newcomers alike, the experience of playing to packed houses. The Green Room:
Thanks to its supporters and members, DDOS is in the fortunate position of being able to undertake a host of theatrical activities throughout the year in the Green Room Theatre. Tucked quietly away behind the Dorking Halls, this compact 86 seat theatre enables members to stage a variety of plays and musicals in a friendly and informal atmosphere. This makes many aspects of theatrical work accessible to all. Being based in a building which was only ever supposed to provide temporary barracks for the Canadian Army in WWII does provide challenges in terms of dilapidations and the staging of productions. Thankfully, due to a small but dedicated team of backstagers, refurbishment work is ongoing and work in the last year included updating the dressing rooms and rebuilding the off-stage area to compliment the ‘revolving’ stage platform built in 2009.
