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Shakespeare to full-scale musicals such as 'Jesus Christ Superstar', or classics such as 'A Streetcar Named Desire', BMDS has been there, done that, and printed a T-shirt. The Society stages some five or six shows a year at its Daylesford premises, and puts on its annual Christmas production at the City Hall Theatre, as well as a choral group called the Daylesford Singers, which performs regularly. In addition to its own productions, the Society is often pleased to help other arts organisations with theirs. Help has been given to such groups as The Bermuda Festival, The Gilbert and Sullivan Society, The Menuhin Foundation, Circle Theatre, the Bermuda Ballet Association and the Jabulani Repertory Company, to name just a few.

But if all you're after is a convivial atmosphere, good company and a stint behind the bar, BMDS has that too. It is, in short, a membership club for trained and untrained amateurs with an interest in all aspects of theatre production and stage management. Membership is open to all.

The Society was founded in 1945, by theatre-lovers with no place to go other than the big drawing room at Newstead. The group used to meet thereafter in the homes of its members to read plays, stage rehearsals and hold musical evenings. From early beginnings as a play-reading society the Society quickly expanded into a full production outfit, mounting shows of ever-increasing complexity at numerous locations over the years including Cavendish Hall, St. Mark's Church Hall and the Armoury Building on Reid Street. These venues also became homes to the Society and its growing membership, until 1972, when the Society had grown sufficiently to afford the luxury of the glamorous premises now housing its clubhouse and theatre. The building, known as Daylesford, was a private home for many generations until it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. However, after purchase, it was fully re-furbished in three stages, resulting finally in a charming and economical members bar, meeting rooms, and a modern, technically well-equipped theatre.

The Society's facilities are available to all members, any of whom can put forward suggestions for a play or presentation of some kind in Daylesford's 120 seat theatre. Productions, such as the annual Christmas Show, are also mounted in the larger City Hall Theatre. Whilst BMDS shows generally are of a very high standard, thanks to the wealth of expertise which the Society has built up over the years, members of all levels of ability are actively encouraged to try out for shows, whether actors, technicians or production assistants. Training workshops in the various branches of theatre, both artistic and technical, are organised from time to time, and novices are always encouraged to take on a supporting position with more seasoned members during the run of a show, before being thrown in at the deep end on their own.

When the theatre is quiet, there is still much to be had from the Society in the way of weekly dinners, fun-nights and organised events such as the annual "Superbowl" party, car-rallies, quiz nights, musical evenings and sing-alongs.

The Society itself is run by an elected executive, for which any member can stand. The Executive is responsible for all aspects of the running of the Society. A list of the serving Executive is posted on the Society's notice board. Any officer would be pleased to answer your questions on the Society, or to introduce you to its activities.

If you would like to join BMDS please complete a Membership Application Form and return it to the Membership Secretary. Sorry, applications are NOT accepted through the Internet.