Welcome from Theatre HULLABALOO
Theatre Hullabaloo is a children’s theatre company based in Darlington that makes, tours & promotes theatre and creative programmes for children and young people.
Our vision is of a world where art and creativity for children is as brilliant and inspiring as they are and is a fundamental part of everybody’s childhood. We believe creative play is the engine of learning and wellbeing. When families play together it makes them happier, healthier, and better connected.
This Summer we are bringing a range of FREE activities to communities in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland, so read on to see how your little ones can get involved!
Creative PLAY
Inclusive, friendly and free!
Our creative play installations are a place for you to drop in with your little ones for some sensory, imaginative play together. It’s a judgement-free zone and one of our hosts will always be there to give you a friendly welcome.
“Usually it can feel quite awkward between parents in these spaces but in here it feels really friendly and supportive, everyone is chatting with each other.”
Place to Play Visitor
OREST lFairyta e
Skelton Family Hub
Open until end of August, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays
Drop in between 10am-2pm
Suitable for ages 0-5
Step inside some of our favourite fairytales and get into character –a chance to make believe in our magical forest. Dress up, play and re-enact popular fairytales or create your own!
DeePSea ADVENTURE
Park End Family Hub
Opening August 6th Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
Drop in between 10am-2pm
Suitable for ages 0-8
Deep Sea Adventures is an interactive voyage of discovery with coral reefs to crawl on, mysterious caves to explore, and giant fish which are not quite what they seem.
Designed and created with Becci Sharrock, Makers of Imaginary Worlds and music from Wayne Walker-Allan
All of our installations are open to all on a walk-in basis. However, if you require more support for your visit, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
placetoplay@theatrehullabaloo.org.uk or ring us on 01325 405 680. You can also ask us about ‘Cleveland the Cat’s favourite times’ if you prefer a less busy experience.
This Summer, we'll be putting on some fantastic activities from some of the region's best storytellers, crafters and theatre-makers - including our very own hosts that you know and love!
All the activities will be FREE, so you can make sure your summer is filled with joy, creativity and fun for you and your little ones.
How to Book
Our website theatrehulabaloo.org/shows
Email placetoplay@theatrehullabaloo.org.uk
Message us on Facebook 'Place to Play Tees Valley'
Date
26th - 28th July
2nd August
7th August
15th August
16th August
20th August
21st August
22nd August
27th August
28th August
Activity
Hullabaloo in the Park Shadows of Fairytale Forest
Joy in a Jar
Foraging Fairies
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Stories from the Sea
‘Park End’ Pan
Joy in a Jar
Crafts from the Shore
The Wishing Tree
Hullabaloo in the Park
Join us for an outdoor extravaganza of performances, music, dance, storytelling, play spaces, pop-up entertainment, messy play, crafts, workshops, activities and amazing food in a magical land of creativity and fun!
Hullabaloo in the Park is specially designed for children aged 0-10 and their grown-ups, and there is something for every family to love. Better yet, entry is FREE, as is all of the activities and shows taking place inside.
South Park, Darlington
Age 0-10 years
Everything is FREE apart from food from the food vendors (though there’s plenty of picnic spaces!)
Friday 26th July
Saturday 27th July
Sunday 28th July
10.30am-4.30pm
The ofl Fai yta e
r SHADOWS FOREST
Ever wondered what happens when fairies go to sleep...? Come and discover the nighttime sounds, shadows and beautiful (but misunderstood!) bats* of Fairytale Forest.
Learn how to cast shadows and tell stories with your little ones from puppeteer, Louise Clark. Plus, find out more about our fluttering friends who live in our forest and beyond with local bat conservationist, Laura Maskery.
Sessions are adapted to suit the age range. Very little ones will love watching and playing with shadows and light. Older ones will be able to cut out and make their own paper puppets.
*Please note there are no real, live bats in this activity, only the paper kind.
Friday 2nd of August @ Skelton Family Hub
Ages 0-2
2.30pm-3.00pm
Ages 2-4
3.00pm-3.30pm
Ages 5+
3.30pm-4.30pm
Free - Booking Essential.
Joy in a Jar
“I am strong.”
“You are remarkable.”
We know our little ones inside and out, but how well do they know us?
Take part in an incredibly special wellbeing and craft activity, designed and hosted by Ella Deacy. Jars of Joy are a brilliant way of connecting with our children and re-discovering who we are.
Bring your own clean jar from home (don’t worry if you can’t find one, we’ll bring a few spare) and fill it with the discoveries that you make about each other. Tie it up with a ribbon or found fabric to keep and revisit for years to come!
Wednesday 7th of August & Thursday 22nd of August @ Park End Family Hub
Recommended for Ages 3+
Free - Drop in between 10am and 2pm
Foraging Fairies
Join artist and horticulturist, Ella Deacy, on a magical walk in the woods and make your own take-home craft.
We’ll start at Skelton Family Hub and take a short route in its beautiful surrounding area. Learn about the plants, seeds and trees that decorate our forest, and catch the fallen ones to make your very own Fairy Wand back at the hub!
Each wand will be unique to you, and you can take it wherever you go (though we’ve heard it works best out in nature!).
Thursday 15th of August @ Skelton Family Hub
Ages 3+ 10am-11.30am 12.30pm-2pm 2.30pm-4pm
Free - Booking Essential.
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Make a rainbow jellyfish and take it for a swim in the sea! A puppet-making and play session with Alison McGowan from Puppetship, for children ages 3-5 years and their not-so grown-ups. Learn some jellyfish moves and bring your best wobble.
The session will begin with making your very own special Jumpin’ Jellyfish Puppet. Alison will teach you and your little ones the art of bringing the fish to life with some classic puppetry games. Then we’ll all set off into our brand-new Deep Sea Adventure Creative Play Space on an underwater adventure. Adults might get their own little surprise puppet to join their Jellyfish friends!
Friday 16th of August @ Park End Family Hub
Ages 3-5 12.00pm-12.45pm 2.00pm-2.45pm
Free - Booking Essential.
Stories from the Sea
Down at the bottom of the deep blue sea…
Join our amazing storyteller Elena Joy Miller from Star Bright Arts on an undersea sensory storytelling extravaganza.
Using songs, music, movement, Makaton and high quality sensory resources, children and their grown-ups will help Elena bring the stories to life. Children have freedom of movement and expression throughout.
It's bound to be absolutely fin-tastic!!!
Tuesday 20th August @ Park End Family Hub
0-18 months 10am-10.45am 11.15am-12.00pm
18 months - 5 years 1pm-1.45pm 2.15pm-3pm
Free - Booking Essential.
Crafts from the Shore
Time to turn jetsam and junk from our shores into wonderful wallpaper!
Join acclaimed artist, Diane Watson, in creating your very own wallpaper craft using beachcombed items from the North East coast.
This eco-friendly activity is suitable for all ages, so bring the family along! Learn all about the simple ways we can do our part to save our seas and have a beautiful memento to take home with you as well.
Tuesday 27th of August @ Skelton Family
Suitable for: All Ages
1.00pm-2.30pm 3.00pm-4.30pm
Booking Essential
Photo © Diane Watson - A Drop in the Ocean
‘Park End’ Pan
We know you’ve heard of Peter Pan, but have you heard of the adventures of Park End Pan?
Theatre Maker, James Barton, needs a cast, big and small, to make up a troupe of Pirates, Mermaids and the Lost Boys to retell this wonderful story together.
Join as a dynamic duo with your little ones, or those with older children can let them lead the charge against Captain Cook! We’ll play our favourite Drama games together, learn how to get into character and really finesse the art of playpretend!
Don’t worry though, you won’t be getting on a stage. This will all take place in our new installation ‘Deep Sea Adventures’ and your audience are your peers.
All sessions are relaxed, so you can come and go as you need, we’ll also have a short break in the middle of each one. All the family are welcome to take part, ages listed here are a guidance to the type of session we’ll lead.
Wednesday 21st August @ Park End Family Hub
Ages 0-5 10.00am-10.45am 11.00am-11.45am
Ages 6-10 1.00pm-2.30pm 3.00pm-4.30pm
Free - Booking Essential
Straight off the Hullabaloo in the Park circuit!
The Wishing Tree
Join Umar by The Wishing Tree to hear an enchanting story about a magical tree in a desert which makes all your wishes come true. It’s where animals gather for shelter, songs and stories until they are ready to embark on the rest of their journey.
Children and grown-ups will have a chance to hang their very own wish on the tree. We can’t wait to see all your wishes! Younger and older siblings and friends are welcome to join in the fun too.
Coming soon...
LET’s PLAY
A free play on prescription programme is coming to Skelton and Park End this autumn.
The programme will take place over 6 weekly workshops led by artist facilitators with specialist early years training.
Wednesday 28th August @ Skelton Family Hub
Recommended for Ages 2-7 1.00pm-1.30pm 1.30pm-2.00pm 2.00pm-2.30pm 2.30pm-3.00pm 3.30pm-4.00pm
Drop In
These workshops will use music, storytelling and play to support engagement and development in babies and toddlers, and build confidence for parents.
This programme is by referral only.
Here’s where we’re currently based. You don’t have to be registered to the Family Hub to come and visit us.
Overdale Rd, Park End, Middlesbrough TS3 0AA
Nearest Bus Stops
Frampton Green (39)
Runnymede Green (39)
Parkside (63)
01325 405 680
placetoplay@theatrehullabaloo.org.uk
Facebook - Place to Play Tees Valley
De Brus Centre, Marske Ln, Skelton-in-Cleveland, Saltburn-bythe-Sea TS12 2HA
Nearest Bus Stops
Sterne Cottages (2, 3 & 5)
Search ‘Place to Play Tees Valley’ on Facebook for Regular Updates or to get in touch! Our website is theatrehullabaloo.org.uk/place-to-play