The Dryden Society

The Dryden Society is the resident performing arts society at Trinity College. We put productions on in Trinity itself, and provide some financial support for shows at other venues in Cambridge, the Edinburgh and Camden Fringe, and touring groups. Recent productions include ‘Like Rabbits’ (2026), ‘Comedy of Errors’ (2026) ‘Amadeus’ (2026), and 'Ghosts' (2025).

Of late, we have been delighted to welcome former Artistic Director of the National Theatre Sir Richard Eyre (2025), Old Vic Artistic Director Rupert Goold (2025), playwright Juliet Gilkes Romero (2024) and director Rebecca Frecknall (2024).

The Dryden Society led the inaugural Arts Week at Trinity (2025), which returned in 2026. We lead on a variety of events during the week and have been involved with the LGBTQ+ Arts Night in the Chapel, joint with the TCSU, since its inception.

We also host a New Writing 'Scratch Night' each Michaelmas term. This is hosted by our Shaffer Playwright in Residence who selects a 'winner': this individual will then be able to redeem funding from the society should they wish to stage a full-length production of their show in Cambridge.

We are both a social society and a producing society. All of our shows must have 'significant Trinity involvement' so do bear this in mind if you contact us with a funding application. The funding awarded may be proportional to the degree of Trinity involvement.