Darlington Hippodrome Autumn 2023 Brochure

AUTUMN 2023

Season sponsored by

Shows shown in GOLD take place in The Hullabaloo

Enhance your visit

Discounts available

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Group discount

Family ticket

Baby ticket

- KEY TO SYMBOLS

Touch tours

Captioned performance

Relaxed performance

Post show Q&A

Hippo Lounge

Lookoutfor thesesymbols throughoutyour brochure

Open Monday to Saturday from 10am - 6pm (and on Sundays if there's a show*), our welcoming Hippo Lounge café is open to allyou don't need a ticket for a show!

This contemporary café offers free WiFi, a relaxing atmosphere, and a wide selection of locally sourced light bites including a new range of delicious sandwiches made fresh each day in the theatre, scones and savoury snacks such as sausage rolls (with a vegan option), steak pies and mini quiches from Bank Top Bakery, plus delicious doughnuts from Harry's Handcrafted Doughnuts. Our coffee is roasted locally by Railtown Coffee and our milk comes from Acorn Organic Dairy.

On show evenings the Hippo Lounge café and bar remains open until after the interval† so why not pop along early and grab a snack and a drink before you enter the auditorium.

* Open one hour before the show on Sundays.

† Hot food stops at 6pm.

A place to eat, drink and relax

Tuesday 19

September 7.30pm

Strictly Come Dancing's Ian Waite and Vincent Simone, joined live on stage by special guest vocalist Jai McDowall, winner of Britain's Got Talent

Be charmed by the magic of these two dancing legends along with their beautiful leading ladies and top-class vocalist on an enchanting journey from the sizzling samba to the passion of Argentine tango.

An unforgettable and spectacular show for all ages!

ticketsToppriceinclude ameet&greet with the stars oftheshow!

Tickets* from £16.50 to £38

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Secure My Booking

Protect your order from the unexpected for just £2.25 per ticket.

Ticket refund protection - provided by Secure My Booking - allows you to recover 100% of the paid ticket price (including levy and postage fees).

With Secure My Booking, you can apply for a refund in the event of:

• Accident, injury, or illness including COVID-19

• Severe weather preventing travel to the venue

• Travel delays due to breakdown or public transit failures ...plus much more.

Secure My Booking protection is non-refundable through Darlington Hippodrome.

For full terms and conditions scan the QR code or speak to a member of the box office team.

Friday 22 September

5.30pm & 8.30pm

Becky is the overly loyal maid-of-honour whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Sarah, on a wild ride down the road to matrimony.

Things go awry as competition between Becky and Sarah's new BFF (best friend forever) Tiffany over who is the bride's best friend, threatens to upend the wedding planning that has been in the making since primary school.

Prepare yourself for dance-offs, sing-offs and shout-offs at the 'hen do of the year'…held in a caravan! Grab your pals and throw on your garter for a hilarious night out filled with laughter and tears (and more laughter).

Tickets* from £18 to £32

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Monday 25 September 7.30pm

The genius, innovation and grandeur of the one and only Prince - this immersive stage show experience pays tribute to one of the greatest musical pioneers of our time.

Live performances from talented multi-instrumentalist Dale Ray, on vocals, guitar and piano, are a fitting commemoration evoking the wondrous and quixotic realm of Prince - his music, his art, his vision.

Expect a sensory spectacular created with a worldclass eight-piece band, bespoke costuming and production, and a raft of iconic songs - 'Purple Rain', 'When Doves Cry', 'Kiss', '1999', 'Little Red Corvette', 'Raspberry Beret', 'Diamonds and Pearls', 'Cream', 'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World', 'Let's Go Crazy!' and more.

Tickets* from £16.50 to £31

* Includes a £2 restoration levy G

Wednesday 27

September 7.30pm

A celebration of Motown legends

The Temptations!

From their first hit, 'The Way You Do The Things You do' in 1964, through the career highs of 'My Girl', 'Ain't Too Proud', 'Get Ready', 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' and 'Just My Imagination', this iconic group's musical legacy spanned more than 50 years and 24 Temptations.

Featuring a cast of dynamic West End performers and some of the nation's most talented musicians, Just My Imagination brings a fresh, exhilarating and incomparable night of sing along, dance along magic to Darlington!

Tickets* from £14.50 to £29

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Thursday 28

September 7.30pm

Award-winning Clive John pays homage to Cash's career as the Man In Black, alongside Meghan Thomas as his iconic wife June Carter and a genuine top-of-the-league band playing double bass, fender telecaster and acoustic guitars, drums, piano, trumpet and delivering four part vocal harmonies.

Delivering all the hits such as 'Walk the Line', 'Ring of Fire', 'Jackson' and 'Boy Named Sue' plus some of the more atmospheric songs from the later recordings, this is an emotional roller-coaster through Cash's career, packed into one fantastic evening's entertainment.

With standing ovations every night, the Johnny Cash Roadshow is the longest running, most recognised, biggest and best celebration of Johnny Cash in the world today guaranteed to leave you wanting more.

Tickets* from £16.50 to £31

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Directed by Gareth Tudor Price and adapted by Rob Fennah from Helen Forrester's million-selling book, By The Waters Of Liverpool revisits the characters, time and place that made Twopence To Cross the Mersey 'totally compelling' (Liverpool Echo)

During the Great Depression, Helen's father lost his fortune when the stock market crashed and the family were suddenly thrown into poverty. Leaving behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England, the Forrester's chose Liverpool as the place to start over. They were in for a terrible shock. Taken out of school to care for her younger brothers and sisters while her parents struggled to re-build their shattered lives, in 1935 16-year-old Helen is treated as an unpaid slave and desperate to escape; to educate herself and go out to work.

By 1939, now aged twenty and with Britain on the brink of war, she has still never been kissed by a man. But things start looking up for Helen when she meets a tall strong seaman and falls in love.

Tickets* from £16.50 to £32

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Friday 29Saturday 30

September

Evenings 7.30pm Saturday matinee 2pm

WINNER - THE BEST NEW MUSICAL

‘SHEER JOYFUL EXUBERANCE’ CITY AM

Greetings and salutations!

Following two smash hit West End seasons, a recordbreaking run at London's The Other Palace, and winning the WhatsOnStage award for Best New Musical, Heathers the Musical, the black comedy rock musical based on the eponymous 1989 film, comes to Darlington for the first time.

Westerberg High's Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers and her dreams of popularity may finally come true, mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.

Age guidance 14+

Tour

Backstage tour and lunch

11.30am Thursday

5 October - visit the website or contact the box office to book

Tickets* from £15.50 to £44

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Tuesday 3Saturday 7 October Evenings 7.30pm

Wednesday & Thursday matinee 2pm Saturday matinee 2.30pm

««««« 'Sheer joyful exuberance' City AM

«««« 'Stiletto sharp' Daily Telegraph

«««« 'Packed with talent' The Independent

ROYAL NORTHERN SINFONIA: BEETHOVEN'S SYMPHONY NO.5

£15 LuckyHipp seatsavailable onthisshow!

Monday 9 October 7.30pm Da-da-da-daaaa.

Perhaps the most famous four notes in history? Ubiquitous today, used in films from Howards End to Austin Powers, on TV, and even in video game soundtracks, those four notes were revolutionary, even a bit shocking, for the audience that gathered for the premiere back in 1808.

Experience that shock of the new with this performance from Royal Northern Sinfonia Drama, tension and emotion: an epic musical journey that all begins with those iconic four notes in a programme that includes Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's 'Idyll', Felix Mendelssohn's 'Violin Concerto', and Ludwig van Beethoven's 'Symphony No.5'.

Conductor Eduardo Strausser Violin Leia Zhu.

Tickets* from £14.50 to £26

U30s tickets* £5

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Multibuy discount - save 20% when booking for both Orchestras Live concerts at the same time

Take a lucky dip on where you sit...

...with a Lucky Hipp ticket for just £15. These tickets are limited, so book as soon as you can. Book over the phone or counter, or if you are booking online, instead of choosing your seats from the plan, select the Lucky Hipp button.

72 hours before the performance, you'll be allocated a full-view seat in the stalls or dress circle. Simple as that! Only applicable on certain shows. All seats within a booking will be together.

Lookoutfor theLucky Hippicon!

Tuesday 10

October 7.30pm

The ultimate celebration of the genius of Stevie Wonder.

Award-winning vocalist Noel McCalla, saxophonist Derek Nash (Jools Holland's R&B Orchestra) and their world-class band present a diverse catalogue of iconic backto-back hits including 'Superstition', 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered', 'Isn't She Lovely', 'I Wish', 'Sir Duke', 'Master Blaster' and many more. Featuring musicians who have previously performed with legends including Bill Withers, Amy Winehouse, The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, David Gilmour, Nile Rodgers, Martha Reeves, Chaka Khan, Jamiroquai, Booker T. Jones, Gregory Porter and Alfie Boe

««««« 'Breathtaking' Sunday Times

««««« 'Spine-tingling' The Guardian

Tickets* from £16.50 to £32

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Thursday 12

October 7.30pm

From the award-winning band that brought you the hit touring production One Night in Dublin, The Big Country Music Show has been wowing audiences and receiving outstanding reviews all over the UK. With a live seven-piece band with male and female vocalists, stunning harmonies, fiddle, pedal steel and banjo, expect two-hours of country music filled with hand-clapping, foot-stomping classics from the likes of Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and The Eagles. Featuring hits including 'The Gambler', 'Take it Easy', 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman', 'Ring of Fire', 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' and many more. If you like a little bit of classic country music then grab your partners and mosey on down.

Tickets* from £16.50 to £30

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Friday 13

October 7.30pm

Featuring the hits of the Bee Gees, Village People, The Jacksons, Sister Sledge, Rose Royce, ABBA, Donna Summer, Barry White, Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind and Fire, Gloria Gaynor, Billy Ocean, Weather Girls, Candi Staton, The Trammps, Gap Band, Wild Cherry and more. If you ever dreamed of going to New York's Studio 54, Disco Inferno takes you there in an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of everything D.I.S.C.O.

Pitch-perfect harmonies, a tight-asSpandex band and slicker-than-Saturday Night Fever choreography combine in one night at the disco you'll never forget. It's the funkiest get down in town - a HipShakin', Hotsteppin', Legwarmin', Flaresflappin', Afrogleanin', Ghettoblastin', Platformpoundin', Hustlebustin', Cooldiggin' revival of the sound, style and dance moves of the Seventies.

Tickets* from £14.50 to £29

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Saturday 14

October 2pm & 7.30pm

Sixties Gold is back with an explosive line-up featuring: Herman's Hermits, Marmalade, Steve Ellis (Love Affair), Spencer James (The Searchers), Dave Berry, The Fourmost and Gerry's Pacemakers

Hear all your favourite 60s hits including: 'There's A Kind of Hush', 'Silhouettes', 'Lovin' Things', 'Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da', 'Maria', 'Rainbow Valley', 'Bringing On Back The Good Times', 'Needles and Pins', 'Sweets For My Sweet', 'The Crying Game', 'Little Things', 'Hello Little Girl', 'I'm In Love', 'Ferry Cross The Mersey', 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and many more performed by your favourite 60s stars!

Tickets* from £17.50 to £43

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

A new story inspired by the classic novel by Mary Shelley

Written and directed by Séan Aydon

1943. Whilst Europe tears itself apart, two women hide from their past at what feels like the very end of the world. And one of them has a terrifying story to tell…

'I created life. You don't believe me but it's true. I didn't start from scratch of course but out of portions and odd ends I made something -alive. But what I created... it wasn't a superhuman. It was a monster.'

This new thriller inspired by the classic gothic novel and complete with a stunning original score explores the very fabric of what makes us human and the ultimate cost of chasing 'perfection'.

Frankenstein is an electrifying reimagining of the world's favourite horror story that will set minds and spines tingling.

Age guidance 12+

£15

Tickets* from £15 to £36.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Tuesday 17 -

Saturday 21

October

Evenings 7.30pm

Thursday matinee 2pm

Saturday matinee 2.30pm

Tour Backstage tour and lunch

11.30am Thursday

Following their critically acclaimed production of Grease earlier this year, DarlingtonOS is back and better than ever with Footloose

The Musical

Based on the 1984 screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose tells the story of city boy Ren, who has to move to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as Ren breaks loose and soon has the whole town up on its feet. Featuring classic 80s hits including 'Holding Out for a Hero', 'Almost Paradise', 'Let's Hear it for the Boy' and the unforgettable title track, Footloose is set to take Darlington Hippodrome by storm, bursting with youthful spirit, dazzling dance and electrifying music.

This is an amateur production.

Tickets on sale through DarlingtonOS only.

Ticket Hotline: 01325 244659

Book online: www.darlingtonos.org.uk

Tickets from £16 to £30

Wednesday 25

October - Saturday 4

November

Evenings 7.30pm

Saturday 28 October 2pm

No performance 29 October

Curious takeover

PRESENTED BY

Experience Darlington Hippodrome in all the colours of the rainbow at our Curious Takeover!

Join Curious Arts for a day of funpacked creative activities for all the family, including colourful arts and crafts, storytimes, express yourself glitter station, dress-up workshops and more!

Thursday 2 November 10am - 3pm

Duration: 5 hours (drop-in)

Tickets: Free

Age guidance: Families/all ages

ABOUT CURIOUS ARTS

Curious Arts is a Newcastle-based charity, committed to championing and developing LGBTQIA+ arts, artists and audiences across the North East of England and beyond.

Producers of award-winning Curious Festival, Curious Arts champion LGBTQIA+ communities through an annual programme of creative projects, events, artist development, youth groups, commissions and original touring works, working in partnership with cultural and community organisations based across the region. www.curiousarts.org.uk

Facebook: @teamcuriousarts

X: @CuriousArts

Instagram: @curious_arts

Supported by Darlington Hippodrome's Place for Everyone fund

Get moving

MONDAY MOVERS

Monday Movers is a movement and dance class aimed at people aged 65+ who are living independently, although any age is welcome! The class includes some chair-based exercise and optional movement within the space. Regular sessions lead to high quality co-choreographed pieces. Participants create beautiful art, develop balance and coordination, and make new friends.

11 September - 18 December

Mondays 9.30am - 11.30am & 11.30am - 1.30pm

Cost * £75 per term (11 sessions)

* Advance booking recommended.

Wednesday 8

November 7.30pm

Come together, right now - it's time to shake it up baby!

The incredible cast not only look and sound like John, Paul, George, and Ringo, they also generate that famed, incredible excitement of The Beatles - with the Fab Four's unique sense of humour thrown in for good measure too.

Enjoy 'She Loves You', 'A Hard Day's Night', 'Help!', 'I Feel Fine', 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', 'Hey Jude', 'Here Comes the Sun', 'Get Back' and more.

Playing to ecstatic sell-out audiences all over the world - The Magic of the Beatles is all you need for an unforgettable night of millionselling memories.

This is a tribute show and is no way affiliated with any original artists/estates/management companies or similar shows. Promoter reserves the right to alter the programme.

Tickets* from £16.50 to £35

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Poor old Fox has lost his socks! Are they in the kitchen or inside the clock? And Rat-a-tat-tat! Who's that keeping tired Rabbit awake? You can also join in with Pig and Hen's game of hide-and-seek and discover the special surprise Postman Bear is planning for his friends.

Packed full of toe-tapping songs, puppetry, and all the friends from Acorn Wood, this beautiful show from the team that brought you Dear Zoo Live is the perfect treat for children of all ages.

Tickets from £12 to £15.50

U16s tickets £12 to £13.50

Tuesday 14 -

Wednesday 15

November

Tuesday 14 1.30pm

Wednesday 15 10.30am & 1.30pm

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved Tales from Acorn Wood stories are brought to life on stage in an enchanting lift-the-flap experience.

Friday 17

November 7.30pm

The highly acclaimed show producer and No.1 recording artist, Steve Steinman, brings you his brand-new production featuring over 25 of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman's greatest hits. The show includes Steve's very own No.1 single 'Everything They Said Was True' written by John Parr and Meat Loaf and gifted to Steve. For over 30 years Steve has toured the world with his productions Anything For Love and Vampires Rock and is now touring his own original albums in his own right. With an incredible stage set, ten-piece live band combined with Steve's well known sense of humour and stage presence, the show can only be described as awesome.

The show will have you shouting for more as Steve and his cast of singers and dancers take you on a nostalgic trip back in time with 'Anything For Love', 'Bat Out Of Hell', 'Paradise By The Dashboard Light', 'Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth', 'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad', 'Dead Ringer For Love', 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart' and many, many more.

Tickets* from £18.50 to £38.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Spend here and support us!

Support your local theatre by treating yourself or a friend to a gift from our range of merchandise.

From candles crafted by local maker Askews, prints by Darlington-based artist Jonny Lancaster, to souvenir items featuring heritage images from the Hippodrome's archive - all profits are reinvested into the theatre.

Browse our selection at the box office, in the Hippo Lounge and at the bars.

Rhythm of the Dance is returning to the Hippodrome with a brand new 2023 Christmas production.

Join them on this festive journey and let the magic of Christmas begin with all your favourite festive songs being performed live by world class musicians, star vocalists and world champion dancers. Prepare to be taken on a special journey that is Irish in essence with that added touch of Christmas magic.

Tickets* from £18 to £32.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Saturday 18

November 2.30pm & 7.30pm

The Calendar Girls are back! This time with even more laughter, more songs and more iced buns!

Following the death of a much-loved husband, a group of ordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women's Institute are prompted to do an extraordinary thing and set about creating a nude calendar to raise money for charity.

Calendar Girls the Musical brings together a stunning cast of music, stage, and television stars, including five Mrs Johnstone's from Bill Kenwright's production of Willy Russell's smash hit Blood Brothers

Starring Tanya Franks (Eastenders), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans), Lyn Paul (The New Seekers), Amy Robbins (Coronation Street), Paula Tappenden (theatre star), Marti Webb (Tell Me on a Sunday) and Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle's War) as the ladies who turn preconceptions upside down - but are they prepared for the emotional and personal ramifications they will face as they each come in to bloom?

This brand-new production of the award-winning musical, written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, features a re-imagined book and new music! With unforgettable songs, each performance continues to add to the millions already raised for Blood Cancer UK and proves that there is no such thing as an ordinary woman.

Tickets* from £18.50 to £49

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

fast,Sellingbook now!

Monday 27

November 7.30pm

Direct from the West End and after two sell-out tours, the ultimate feel-good Irish-inspired Christmas show is back with an even bigger production for 2023. Fairytale of New York features all of your favourite Christmas songs including 'Driving home for Christmas', 'White Christmas', 'Oh Holy Night', 'Winter's Tale', 'Silent Night' and of course 'The Fairytale of New York'.

This world class show also features some of the greatest Irish sing-a-long songs of all time including 'The Galway Girl', 'The Irish Rover', 'Danny Boy' and 'Dirty Old Town'. This magical Christmas show will have people of all ages singing and laughing.

Tickets* from £18.50 to £31.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Tuesday 28

November 8pm

Do you believe in ghosts? Are UFOs real? Is the impossible possible? Join Danny Robins, creator of the smash hit BBC Radio 4 paranormal podcast Uncanny and award-winning West End play 2:22 - A Ghost Story, for the biggest ever investigation into the paranormal.

'Over the last few years hundreds of people have sent me their real-life stories of ghost and UFO encounters happening to ordinary people in everyday locations. In this live show I've picked some of the best stories I've received to scare you senseless! But we'll also be trying to solve the mysteries behind the stories. Prepare for an epic, creepy night as together, we try to crack that biggest of all mysteries - are we really aloneor is there something out there?'

Tickets* from £16.50 to £33

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH TOURISM IRELAND

Tickets* from £17 to £37.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Wednesday 29 November 7.30pm

Seen by over a million people, now in its 18th year - it's no surprise that this show is one of the biggest success stories in British theatre history.

Get ready for the biggest Motown party of the year. You will be going loco down in Acapulco as we take you back down memory lane with all the Motown classics from artists such as Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson, and many, many more. Celebrate the sound of a generation with one very special night of The Magic of Motown!

Tickets* from £16.50 to £34

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Thursday 30

November 7.30pm

Spend an evening in the extraordinary company of Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE - 'the world's greatest living explorer' - as he goes beyond his record-breaking achievements to explore the man behind the myth.

Live on stage, Sir Ranulph will share stories from his legendary exploits and adventures, telling untold tales of the world's most extraordinary feats of daring and exploration.

Taking us from his magical and mischievous childhood, through school misdemeanours, to his time in the military and beyond, Ran will also reveal for the first time his own personal heroes and the incredible lessons he learnt from them which have informed his hazardous profession.

Delivered in his own inimitable fashion and accompanied by stunning, never-before-seen images and home videos, this show guarantees to leave you entertained and inspired to seek out your own life adventures.

Age guidance 12+

Friday 8 December - Sunday 31 December

8 Dec 7pm | 9, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Dec 2pm & 7pm | 10, 17, 24, 31 Dec 1.30pm & 5.30pm | 12, 13 Dec 10.30am & 2pm | 15 Dec 12pm & 7pm | 26, 27, 28, 29 & 30 Dec 2pm & 6pm (No performances 11, 18, 25 Dec)

Much-loved pop and musical theatre star Gareth Gates is all set to headline the family Christmas spectacular Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Joining him is Jenny 'The Vixen' Ryan from ITV's The Chase, who will be playing the Wicked Queen, alongside hilarious comic and panto aficionado Josh Benson as the loveable Muddles. Completing the line-up are Jamie Jones as Mrs Nelly Night-Nurse and Marina Lawrence-Mahrra as Snow White.

With generous discounts for groups, concessions, and a special rate for schools available for selected performances, be part of the panto magic and book your tickets today - or you'll not be able to look yourself in the mirror!

Tickets* from £19.50 to £37.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Relaxed performance £10

Beat the winter blues

When you think reggae, there is only one name that comes to mind. The legend that was Bob Marley.

Legend - The Music of Bob Marley is an unforgettable evening celebrating this musical icon in one fantastic stage show extravaganza. Combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, a supremely talented cast recreate the timeless hits 'Could You Be Loved', 'Is This Love', 'One Love', 'No Woman No Cry', 'Three Little Birds', 'Jammin'', 'Buffalo Soldier', 'Stir It Up', 'Get Up Stand Up', 'Exodus', 'Waiting in Vain', 'Satisfy My Soul', 'Iron Lion Zion', 'I Shot the Sheriff' and many more reggae classics. A two-hour spectacular, showcasing the magic of Marley, Legend - The Music of Bob Marley captures the charisma and culture of an icon gone too soon.

Tickets* from £18 to £34

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Name a seat

Wednesday 24

January 7.30pm

'The highlight for me was Three Little Birds, everyone in the building was singing, en masse, 'everything is gonna be alright.''

BBC Radio Tees

Dedicating a seat can be a very special gift or a fitting tribute to a loved one. By naming a seat you will be supporting the future of Darlington Hippodrome with a donation of £200. The donation can be made in one payment or spread over 10 months.

For more information scan the QR code or contact hippodrome.boxoffice@darlington.gov.uk

VARNA INTERNATIONAL BALLET & ORCHESTRA SLEEPING BEAUTY

Every child's favourite fairy tale, this is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky's sublime score.

Friday 26 January 7.30pm

SWAN LAKE

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky's haunting and unforgettable score.

Saturday 27 January 2.30pm & 7.30pm

THE NUTCRACKER

This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve.

Sunday 28 January 2.30pm

Tickets* from £17.00 to £47.00

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Raymond Gubbay presents

Friday 26Sunday 28 January

Multibuy discount save20%when bookingformore thanoneVarna International Ballet performance

BOWIE EXPERIENCE

Tuesday 30 January 7.30pm

Tickets* from £14.50 to £29

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

THE ELO EXPERIENCE

Friday 2 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18 to £31

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

BELIEVE

- THE CHER SONGBOOK

Wednesday 31 January 7.30pm

Tickets* from £14.50 to £29

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

ED

BYRNE:

TRAGEDY PLUS TIME

Sunday 4 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £20 to £29.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

90S LIVE

Thursday 8 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18 to £34

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

THE HALL É

Saturday 10 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £15 to £35

U30s tickets* £5

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

GIOVANNI

-

LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU

Friday 9 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £20 to £122

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

THAT'LL BE THE DAY

Tuesday 13 - Wednesday 14 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £17 to £30

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

STEVE STEINMAN'S VAMPIRES ROCK

Thursday 15 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18.50 to £39.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

THE ELVIS YEARS

Friday 16 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £17 to £32

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

THE STORY OF GUITAR HEROES

Saturday 17 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18 to £29

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

DR MICHAEL MOSLEY AND DR CLARE BAILEYEAT (WELL), SLEEP (BETTER), LIVE (LONGER)!

Sunday 18 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18.50 to £33

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

QUEENZ - THE SHOW WITH BALLS!

Wednesday 21 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £16 to £29

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

CROONERS

Thursday 22 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18 to £30

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

RAVE ON - THE ULTIMATE 50S AND 60S EXPERIENCE

Friday 23 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £16 to £29

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

FASCINATING AÏDA

THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW!

Saturday 24 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18 to £32

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

RE-TAKE THAT

Tuesday 27 February 7.30pm

DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'

Wednesday 28 February 7.30pm

Tickets* from £18 to £34

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Tickets* from £16.50 to £32

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

FRANKIE BOYLE: LAP OF SHAME

Friday 1 March 7.30pm

Tickets* from £20 to £29.50

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

UK PINK FLOYD EXPERIENCE

Sunday 3 March 7.30pm

Tickets* from £17 to £30

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Julius Caesar. A divisive leader who holds awesome power. Concerned that Caesar poses a threat to democracy, revolutionaries embark on a violent plot to steal power. As their plans backfire, the world spins out of control. Chaos, horror, and superstition rush in to fill the void. What will be the cost to save Democracy?

Icarus Theatre Collective presents a boldly modern re-telling of Shakespeare's political thriller set in England of the near future. Using state-of-the-art digital technology and classic theatrical magic, an onslaught of social media is projected across the set along with integrated sign language from the performers. This highlights the parallels between the gossip-mongers and schemers of ancient Rome and the rise of populist politics and fake news today. It serves as a rich visual element, broadening access of all audiences, including those new to Shakespeare, learning English as a second language, or who are from the deaf community.

Tickets* from £14.50 to £33

* Includes a £2 restoration levy

Wednesday 6 -

Thursday 7

March

Wednesday 7.30pm

Thursday 2pm & 7.30pm

Dear Zoo - the timeless children's classic book returns to the stage! See our characters write to the zoo. Who will be delivered? A cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog and of course a perfect puppy. Help your children learn as the book leaps onto the stage and share a magical experience as the story unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction. This production will delight all those who have read Rod Campbell's book both young and old.

Tickets from £12 to £15

U16s tickets £12 to £13

Schools @ the Hipp

As a standalone activity or to complement a visit to a show, we can arrange a one-hour tour of the Hippodrome, introducing young people to the history of the building and what it would have been like to attend the theatre in the 1900s. Standalone tours are charged at £50 per class. If you are already bringing your class to a production, we can provide a free tour, either earlier that day or at another date.

During your visit, we can offer bespoke workshops to support the work that you are doing with your class, for example set design, technical demonstrations, and local history studies. These are typically charged at £75 per class for a one hour workshop.

Tuesday 12Wednesday 13

March

Tuesday 12 March 1.30pm

Wednesday 13 March 10.30am & 1.30pm

'We had a wonderful morning at the Hippodrome and would like to thank you and the team on the day for such an informative and well organised event. The children learnt a lot and really enjoyed the set design workshop.'

West Park Academy

Shaping a future.

Joining a family.

Teesside High School is a thriving independent school for boys and girls

aged 3-18.

In small classes, our pupils achieve exceptional academic progress and enjoy rich and varied co-curricular activities across the arts, music, sport and outdoor education.

We run private bus services from Darlington and the wider Teesside area.

Enquire now to join us. admissions@teessidehigh.co.uk

Spring into summer

NATHAN CARTER

Sunday 10 March

80S LIVE

Thursday 14 March

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC

Friday 15 March

STEWART LEEBASIC LEE

Saturday 16 March

THE MAKINGS OF A MURDERER

Sunday 17 March

THE DUBLIN LEGENDS

Tuesday 19 March

BEN FOGLEWILD

Wednesday 20 March

ELLEN KENT: LA TRAVIATA

Thursday 21 March

ELLEN KENT: MADAMA BUTTERFLY

Friday 22 March

JUSTIN HAYWARD

Tuesday 26 March

FASTLOVE

Wednesday 27 March

HOUDINI'S GREATEST ESCAPE

Tuesday 2 April

GET IT ON

Wednesday 3 April

THE UPBEAT BEATLES

Thursday 4 April

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE SHOW THE DEFINITIVE TRIBUTE

Friday 5 April

STREISANDWOMAN IN LOVE

Saturday 6 April

CINDERELLA

Sunday 7 April

CINDERELLAADULTS ONLY

Sunday 7 April

DARLINGTONOSKINKY BOOTS

Wednesday 1 -

Saturday 11 May

STRANGER SINGS

Tuesday 14 -

Wednesday 15 May

THE GREATEST HITS OF MOTOWN

Thursday 16 May

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING… EARNEST?

Friday 17 -

Sunday 19 May

LOST IN MUSIC

Wednesday 5 June

LOVE HURTS

Friday 7 June

WHAT THE BUTLER SAW

Tuesday 18 -

Saturday 22 June

ANTON DU BEKE & GIOVANNI PERNICE - TOGETHER

Wednesday 17 July

THE MOUSETRAP

Tuesday 23 -

Saturday 27 July

SISTER ACT

Monday 9 - Saturday 14 September

HIPP @The

CONFETTI

Felix is uptight and unlucky in love. He's the mate of honour at his best friend's wedding, and it'll be perfect. As long as there are no distractions…

««««« 'The perfect 00s rom-com, Richard Curtis can eat his heart out.' Everything Theatre

Confetti is a hilarious, queer rom-com from ('Rising Comic Star'. Attitude) Will Jackson.

««««« British Theatre

««««« Feminist Fringe Reviews

««««« North West End

««««« Somewhere: For Us

Produced by Quick Duck Theatre and supported by New Vic Theatre & Arts Council England and platformed by Curious Arts.

Tuesday 10 October 8pm

Tickets £14

MARK SIMMONS: QUIP OFF THE MARK

UK Comics' Comic 2022 - Best Act

As seen on Mock The Week, BT Sport and ITV, 'Master of one-liners' Mark Simmons brings his brand-new show on the road.

Mark joined Dara O'Briain and Hugh Dennis on BBC2's Mock The Week as a semi-regular on the show and now brings you his hotly-anticipated show Quip Off The Mark. He's also been appearing on BT Sport's DIY pundit and The Rugby's On

This isn't your average one-liner show as there is a running theme throughout. This year Mark's parents have sold the house he grew up in and he has to collect his box of stuff from the loft. Come discover what's in the box in this top-level one-liner show structured in a way you've never seen before.

Wednesday 11 October 8pm

Tickets £17

Hullabaloo

BEYOND CARING BY CHRISTINA CASTLING

A Gala Durham & Queen's Hall Arts Centre co-production directed by Jonluke McKie

'Older people, they're still people. Like you and me. Just a bit, well, baggier around the edges.'

Meet Queenie, Elaine and Alex, resident, relative and carer at Cedar Point Care Home. A place where the corridors roar with laughter and ache with sadness and where outrageous antics mingle with tough conversations.

Beyond Caring is a powerful new play that takes a frank, humorous and heartbreaking look at life behind the doors of a care home. Based on interviews with residents, relatives and staff, this play uncovers the reality of caring for others, looking after ourselves and getting older.

Tuesday 17 October 8pm

Tickets £16

A CELEBRATION OF FATHER TED

Join us in celebrating one of the greatest sitcoms ever made, as we welcome renowned stand-up Joe Rooney for a night of all things Father Ted!

Joe featured as the rebellious Father Damo in the classic Father Ted episode The Old Grey Whistle Theft, leading Dougal astray with his earring, cigarette smoking and bad-boy attitude. Joe will host a screening of the episode, take you behind the scenes and set you a Craggy Island quiz - then prepare for an all-inclusive 'Lovely Girls Competition': have you got the loveliest laugh, the loveliest walk, can you make the loveliest sandwich? There'll be a dancing priests competition and the evening wouldn't be complete without a sing-along to 'My Lovely Horse'!

Come and meet Joe and immerse yourself in the very silly delights of Father Ted. Ah, go on... you will.

Friday 20 - Saturday 21 October 8pm

Tickets £17.50

An intimate 170-seat theatre space adjacent to Darlington Hippodrome on Borough Road.

A Celebration of with Joe Rooney

Father Ted www.joerooneycomedian.ie

“A purveyor of great gags and excellent storytelling.” Ardal O’Hanlon * * * * *

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Olivier Award winner, Guy Masterson, veteran of many smash hit solo works such as Under Milk Wood, Animal Farm and Shylock, returns to the Hullabaloo for the 5th time with Dickens' classic festive fable. Famed for bringing multiple characters to vivid life, Masterson gives us Scrooge, Marley, the Fezziwigs, the Cratchits, Tiny Tim et al in a riveting performance that will dazzle, enchant, and linger long in the memory. Guaranteed to get you into the Christmas Spirit - in many more ways than one... but book early... because this show has sold out each time!

Tuesday 21 - Wednesday 22 November 8pm

Wednesday 22 November matinee 3pm

Tickets £16

BI-TOPIA

Sam Danson and Emmerson & Ward present BI-TOPIA by Sam Danson

Directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair

Join Sam, a self-confessed people-pleaser, in the war room as he embarks on his biggest mission yet. Shame is coming in from the west flank and gay thoughts are sailing in from the east... This is war!

BI-TOPIA is a hilarious, honest and raw coming-of-age story, exploring the highs and lows of the bisexual experience, bravely delving into under-represented links between poor mental health, sexuality and masculinity.

««««½ 'Candid, powerful and gentle.' The Reviews Hub.

'Must see!' The Mancunion

Tuesday 13 February 8pm

Tickets £15

Curious Hipp Cabaret

PRESENTED BY

A celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture right here in Darlington, Join Curious Arts for an unforgettable night of Curious Cabaret Hosted by Jonathan Mayor with live comedy, drag and musical performances by artists from across the North East and beyond!

You're sure to leave Curious for more… #CuriousHippCabaret

Thursday 12 October 8pm

Tickets £12

Supported by Darlington Hippodrome's Place for Everyone fund

DarlingtonYouthHippodrome Dance & Youth Theatre

Hippodrome Youth Theatre and Youth Dance classes offer young people the opportunity to work together to create excellent performance work. Led by professional theatre and dance practitioners, our sessions are fun, welcoming and engaging, and harness the individual creativity and ideas of every participant to create work that excites and inspires audiences.

MIX IT UP DANCE (7-11)

This fun, energetic class introduces children to lots of different dance styles, whilst developing a strong foundation in technique. A fantastic class for children new to dance.

Mondays 4pm - 5pm

* Advance booking required. FOUNDATION DANCE

Run in partnership with The D Project, the aim of this programme is to train young gifted dancers in contemporary and ballet with the long-term aim of preparing them to audition for Dance City's Centre for Advanced Training (CAT). Attendance at this class is by invitation only, to enquire about auditioning for this class please email debbie@thedproject.co.uk

Tuesdays 5pm - 6pm & Saturdays 9.30am - 11.30am

Youth Theatre sessions explore a range of theatre techniques and styles. Sessions start with warm-up games and exercises to engage the creativity of the group and encourage teamwork and focus, and then move on to explore specific theatre skills and performance work.

YOUTH THEATRE (7-10)

Mondays 5pm - 6.30pm

YOUTH THEATRE (10-13)

Thursdays 4.30pm - 6pm

YOUTH THEATRE (13+)

Thursdays 6pm - 7.30pm

MUSICAL THEATRE (15+)

Thursdays 7.30pm - 9pm

* Advance booking required.

CONTEMPORARY DANCE (11-19)

These classes are fun, creative, and equip young people with excellent dance skills and techniques. Sessions are open to all abilities, and young people will develop their own creative ideas and choreography.

Wednesdays 4.30pm - 6.30pm

* Advance booking required.

BOYS DANCE (7+)

This class is tailored specifically for boys, using explosive movement and themes that engage the imagination! Open to all abilities.

Fridays 4pm - 5pm

Term Cost * £50 - Discounts available

* Advance booking required.

Sessions run weekly over three terms a year with breaks during school holidays, with regular performance opportunities. For more details or to book a free taster session please call our friendly box office on 01325 405405 or email hippodrome.boxoffice@darlington.gov.uk

Thank you to our 2023/2024 Corporate Partners

LEVEL 3: LEVEL 1:

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS PANTO SPONSORS 2023:

TICKET SPONSORS:

Become a Darlington Hippodrome Corporate Partner

With your support, we can contribute to the vibrancy in our town by offering a fabulous night out, investing in talent and engaging with our community. Becoming a Corporate Partner will ensure that your organisation benefits from association with one of the most historic (and haunted!) theatres in the north-east. Our partnership programmes offer levels of support to suit every business starting from just £2000 (+VAT) per year.

We wish to create a network of like-minded businesses who have a desire to support the arts and the local community.

Level 1 Partner: £2000 per year

Level 2 Partner: £4000 per year

Level 3 Partner: £8000 per year

Benefits include hospitality, acknowledgement in season brochures, digital screens and website, free room hire, and an invitation to an annual business networking event at Darlington Hippodrome. Bespoke packages can be designed to suit your requirements. For further information please email julian.cound@darlington.gov.uk

Darlington Hippodrome

A Place for Everyone

'Useful Vision had the pleasure of visiting the stunning Darlington Hippodrome in March this year. We were invited to a rip-roaring performance of Around the World in 80 Days where all the cast and staff made our visit to the theatre both exciting and memorable. With the help of an audio describer Vicky, our children participated in an exclusive touch tour with the cast and props prior to the show starting which really enriched our children's experience of the performance!! The tour was extremely exciting for our children and ensured they could understand and visualize what was being described during the show. All our children and families commented on how brilliant and funny the show was and how much they had enjoyed the experience, this is what one of our families had to say: “The touch tour helped immensely so he could understand what he was seeing. The way the story was told using lots of imagination was brilliant. The small cast kept it intimate and stopped him from feeling overwhelmed. On the tour he was able to see what the seating looked like and see where he would be sitting. This is the first time he's managed a theatre and sat through whole performance.”

Useful Vision had a brilliant time Darlington Hippodrome; a huge thank you from us all to everyone who has made a donation. We can't wait to come back!'

Useful Vision is a registered charity providing positive opportunities, support, and accessible events for visually impaired children and their families across the North East.

To support A Place for Everyone, please donate when buying tickets through our box office or online, or contact hippodrome.boxoffice@darlington.gov.uk

If you're involved with a group which would benefit from the scheme, contact hippolearning@darlington.gov.uk

A warm welcome in the Hippo Lounge

Every Tuesday between 10am - 12 noon, drop into the Hippo Lounge for free tea, coffee and biscuits. Bring a book or even a board game, or have a chat with one of our friendly volunteers who will give you a warm drink and a warm welcome.

part of your community

Your HippodromeDarlington

Darlington Hippodrome is a hub for community groups including Daisy Chain, Dementia Voice Darlington and Darlington Wellbeing - The Art of Survival. Contact the groups direct to check arrangements, or get in touch with our box office team who will be happy to help. If you would like to talk to us about your group meeting at the Hippodrome, please contact andrew.hutchinson-clish@darlington.gov.uk.

The theatre regularly hosts performances from local dance and performing arts schools. If you would like to hire the auditorium for your show, please contact heather.tarran-jones@darlington.gov.uk.

You can also hire the Hippodrome for wedding, conferences and functions. Contact andrew.hutchinson-clish@darlington.gov.uk to discuss your requirements.

Darlington Culture Volunteers

Support local arts and heritage activities by joining the Darlington Culture Volunteers. Find out more by emailing darlingtonculturevolunteers@hotmail.com or visit the website at www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/about-us/take-part/volunteer

Access

ACCESSING THE VENUE

There are wheelchair spaces on all levels and two lifts to provide access to all levels both front and back of house.

There is a drop off point located on Tannery Yard. If you require any advice regarding access to the venue please contact the box office.

ESSENTIAL COMPANION TICKETS

Customers who require a companion to be present in order for them to access the venue will receive a free ticket. Please speak to the box office about your requirements. Terms and conditions apply.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

Are located on every level in the Hippodrome.

HEARING ASSIST EQUIPMENT

We have a radio frequency hearing system installed throughout the auditorium with individual headsets available on request when booking.

AUDIO DESCRIPTION

On selected performances professional audio describers provide live commentary via headphone-style receivers for customers with a visual impairment. Please check individual shows for details.

TOUCH TOURS

An opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired to go onstage, touch costumes and props from the production and learn more about the show. Tours take place prior to an audio described performance.

ASSISTANCE DOGS

Guide, hearing and other assistance dogs are welcome.

BSL INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES

The signer stands stage left (auditorium right) to interpret the production.

RELAXED PERFORMANCES

The auditorium lights stay on, the audience can talk, leave and enter the auditorium at all times. Specially designed for people on the autistic spectrum, a sensory or communication disorder, or anyone who would find a typical theatre setting a challenging environment.

INFORMATION IN OTHER FORMATS

Darlington Hippodrome can provide information in other formats on request.

THE HULLABALOO

For access information please visit theatrehullabaloo.org.uk/the-hullabaloo or speak to a member of our box office team.

PARKING

There are short and long stay off-street car parks surrounding the theatre. Most Council car parks are covered by 24 hour CCTV surveillance. For advice on parking please visit Darlington Borough Council's website.

BOX OFFICE

IN PERSON AT THE HIPPODROME

The Hippodrome box office is open Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm on days there are no shows and 10am - 8pm on show days.

PHONE

10am - 6pm Monday to Saturday.

ONLINE

Choose your own seats online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Box office timings subject to change - please visit the website for up to date information.

Terms and conditions and data protection

A full set of terms and conditions and a privacy policy is available from our website and the box office.

If you have received this brochure by post and no longer wish to receive postal communications from us, please let us know.

CHOOSE your seat

Seating plan subject to change. For advice on choice of seats please contact the box office.

HAVE YOU DUNNIT ?