New-look theatre springs into action for packed season

WITH the panto season entering its final few days, many theatre fans will be looking forward to seeing the results of an 18-month multi-million revamp of Darlington’s former Civic Theatre, now renamed the Hippodrome.

In addition to rejuvenating the main auditorium, the complex now also boasts the Hullabaloo, a new 170 seat studio theatre next door.

Theatre bosses have lined up a busy spring programme to entice people back to the venue.

A series of week-long shows for all tastes kicks off with New Jersey Nights (January 16 to 20), a celebration of the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

Son of a Preacher Man (February 6 to 10) is an all-new show directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood featuring the greatest hits of Dusty Springfield.

The theatre also welcomes back one of the all-time greats with Blood Brothers (February 20 to 24) followed by the David Walliams classic Awful Auntie (February 28 to March 4).

Critically acclaimed smash hit comedy The Play That Goes Wrong comes to Darlington from March 5 to 10 followed by the magic of Disney music with A Spoonful of Sherman (March 12 to 14).

The Middle Ground Theatre Company brings the world stage première of Ruth Rendell’s (writing as Barbara Vine) murder mystery Gallowglass (March 27 to 31).

Darlington Operatic Society returns to the Hippodrome with the feel-good musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (April 18 to 28) and for added glitz and glamour there is The Rat Pack Live (May 8 to 12).

The Touring Consortium Theatre Company has presented some of the most thought-provoking theatre in Darlington including To Sir With Love, A View From The Bridge, Regeneration, Brassed Off, Brave New World and Of Mice And Men.

This season they return with Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (May 15 to 19) starring Phil Daniels.

Celebrating the world’s greatest pop star, Thriller Live is a spectacular concert featuring the songs of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5 (May 28 to June 2).

Broadway’s smash hit musical comedy, Thoroughly Modern Millie, starring Hayley Tamaddon, comes to Darlington from June 11 to 16, swiftly followed by This Is Elvis (June 25 to 30) which recreates all the drama leading up to the 1968 Comeback Special TV show.

For lovers of comedy, Joe Pasquale stars as Frank Spencer in an all-new stage show of the popular TV show Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em while All Or Nothing – the Mod Musical follows the rise and demise of the Small Faces.

A whole host of star performers will be appearing in the first half of the year.

Patrick Monahan, Jimmy Osmond, That’ll Be The Day, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia, Tom Allen, The Hallé, Tony Law, Sing-a-ling-a Beauty & The Beast, The Illegal Eagles and Stewart Lee are among those who will be gracing the stage.

Other shows include, Madame Butterfly, 70s chart toppers Smokie, Peppa Pig and Friends for the young ones, Bobby Davro and Dani Harmer in the Easter Pantomime Beauty & The Beast, opera star Russell Watson and top tribute act Rumours of Fleetwood Mac.

Veteran entertainer Ken Dodd will be back once again, while Steve Steinman’s Meatloaf Story will roll out all the hits.

The BBC Big Band, The Carpenters Story, English Youth Ballet, Jason Cooke, Liza Pulman, Brian Conley and Gilbert O’Sullivan are also part of the eclectic line-up.

More big names and blockbuster shows are in the pipeline for 2018 and beyond.

For further information and to book contact the box office on 01325 405405, or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome .co.uk to choose seats online.