Dolgellau Amateur Dramatic Society was brought into existence in 1978. Doctor Terry Ogden and some like-minded thespians joined together to form the society and performed for a number of years in Neuadd Idris.
Like many societies of our kind we have had our share of ups and downs and we are very dependent on the enthusiasm of our active members to perform productions year on year.
The acquisition of the building in Glyndwr Street was an achievement of which we are justifiably proud although it was considered a dreadful risk at the time.
The first years saw a reroofing of the building thanks to the Princes Trust followed by the creation of a raked seating area.
Our first production in the new venue was “An Inspector Calls” by J B Priestley in 1992.
A grant from the National Lottery and a loan from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts, enabled the Society to add an extension to the existing building thus giving us more back stage facilities and a club room which is available for committee meetings and less formal gatherings, as well as being the place where patrons can enjoy refreshments during intervals in performances.
The seating capacity of the auditorium is around 72 but is seldom fully booked although we have had full houses and even turned people away on occasion.
Throughout the year, the company presents at least one play, monthly "Entertainments" ( formerly poetry and prose readings) and hosts professional theatre companies and live music. The big production of the year is usually the annual pantomime. Of course, we are entirely in the hands of our active members and at present, we sometimes lack people brave enough to walk on stage but we carry on.
The Saturday Entertainment evenings, which are staged once a month from January to December in the Club Room, are usually well attended by a dedicated audience and sometimes feature the poetry and prose of society members.
Any member can offer to organize an Entertainment evening and there are no set themes. They used to take place on the third Friday of the month but are now usually on Saturdays and if you're not sure how to go about it just ask a committee member for help.
The building is available for hire for theatrical uses and private functions.
Dolgellau Amateur Dramatic Society is a registered charity and exists financially, largely on membership fees and donations and on the generous grants from various Council and charitable bodies. We have a constitution and a properly elected committee who take care of the day to day running of the Society and we work very hard to achieve our main aim of bringing live entertainment to the community and hope we deserve your support in doing this.