The Hullabaloo Winter Spring 23 Brochure

WELCOME to the HULLABALOO

A very warm Hullabaloo welcome to our brochure which takes you from the frosty start of 2023 right the way through to the spring warmth of April packed with magical things for you to see and do with your little ones.

Enjoy the changing of the seasons in Meet Me A Tree, a perfect first theatre experience for you and your baby, or have a giggle and a jiggle with dancing friends String and Strong in How Long is a Piece of String?

Visit the darkness in the basement with Lazlo in Lemony Snicket’s The Dark and join us for a puppetfilled Easter with a retelling of the much loved story, Pinocchio - it’s a jam-packed programme of treats to kick off a new year at The Hullabaloo. We can’t wait to welcome you and your family to The Hullabaloo again soon!

ABOUT THE HULLABALOO

The Hullabaloo in Darlington is the only purpose-built theatre for children and young people north of London. Situated on Borough Road, adjacent to Darlington Hippodrome, it is a special venue for children and families and an exciting place to play and learn.

At The Hullabaloo, you will find world-class theatre made specially for children - including brilliant shows for babies and toddlers - free creative play installations, storytelling, family events and much more.

Throughout the brochure you’ll notice age ranges for our shows and activities which are intended for guidance only. If you would like to discuss bringing older / younger siblings or have any questions about the programme, please do give us a ring or drop us an email. Our venue is relaxed, informal and accessible. We have a family friendly café, story corner, an outdoor space to play and a buggy park. We are accessed on ground level and have wheelchair spaces in our theatre and creative play.

KEEP IN TOUCH

What a wonderful initiative! Such a gem, we will definitely be back. Coffee was great too and the kids enjoyed the play area with books and colouring in.

What’s On

Winter / Spring 2023

Date Show/activity Age Page

Thurs 26, Fri 27 Meet Me A Tree 0-2 years 08 & Sat 28 Jan

Mon 20 & Tues 21 Feb Play in Two Days 6-10 years 09

Wed 22 Feb Fabulous Friends: 2-4 years / 09 Storytelling with Elena 3-7 years

Fri 24 Feb & Sat 25 Feb How Long is a 3-7 years 10 Piece of String?

Sat 11 March The Dark 5+ years 11

Tues 4 April Rod Puppet Making 6-10 years 09

Fri 14 April Paper Puppet Making 4+ years 11

Sat 15 April Pinocchio 4+ years 12

Tues 23 - Sat 27 May When the Birds Sang 4+ years 13

Sat 22 - Sun 30 July Hullabaloo in the Park 0-10 years 13

My daughter has been enthralled every time we visit, be it the Storyteller, the Creative Play or musical events. The reading/chalk area in the café is great, as is the café.

EVERYONE

is wel come!

We want every child and their family to feel comfortable at The Hullabaloo, so we make sure that there are lots of opportunities for families who have children who are neurodiverse or have additional needs to join in, in the way that suits them best. That could mean fewer people, a more relaxed pace or a familiar face.

For more information about what to expect at any of these events please go to our website, call the office or drop in and speak to one of our friendly Hullabaloo Hosts.

What is a Relaxed Performance?

Although The Hullabaloo is always pretty chilled, we do have specific Relaxed Performances (open to everyone) where families with additional needs might feel more comfortable. At these: • pre-show information is available to help you prepare for your visit

• you can peek into the theatre before the show begins • getting up, moving around and responding in your own way to the show is absolutely fine

I really appreciated that my grandson was free to move about and not have to sit in his seat.

Creative PLAY

At the heart of The Hullabaloo is our Creative Play space, which has a rolling programme of themed play environments for families to play in for free together whenever we are open.

You don’t need to book to attend our Creative Play, although please be aware that we limit capacities so everyone has the best experience and there may sometimes be a short wait.

THE UNDISCOVERED ISLAND

Makers of Imaginary WorldsRoma Patel & Rachel Clementine

Mon 19 Sep 2022 - Sat 11 March 2023

0-10 years and their grown-ups

Mon - Sat • 10am-2pm • Free

Our adventure to The Undiscovered Island continues; experience a sensory underwater world where children and adults become adventurers exploring story zones, musical stepping stones and a relaxing coral garden.

FAIRYTALE FOREST

Wed 22 March - August 2023

0-10 years and their grown-ups

Mon - Sat • 10am-2pm • Free

Step inside some of our favourite fairytales and get into character - a chance to make believe in our magical forest.

SPACE TO PLAY

Mon 13 March - Tues 21 March 2023

0-5 years and their grown-ups

Mon - Sat • 10am-2pm • Free

Whilst we make way for our Fairytale Forest Creative Play we’re making sure that play can still happen at The Hullabaloo! Come and join us in the theatre for lots of fun, including tunnels, a ball pool, a slide and more!

NEURODIVERSE FRIENDLY SESSIONS IN CREATIVE PLAY

Spend valuable family time together by booking exclusive access to Creative Play or joining one of our group sessions with a few other families. Sessions are designed specifically for families/groups with neurodiverse children and those with additional needs. Themed craft activity and refreshments included.

The Undiscovered Island

Group session (for up to 4 families): Sat 11 Feb • 2.30pm

Individual families: Thurs 19 Jan & Thurs 2 March • from 2.15pm

Fairytale Forest

Group session (for up to 4 families): Sat 25 March • 2.30pm

Individual families: Thurs 6 April • from 2.15pm

If you’d like to know more, please contact Theatre Hullabaloo on 01325 405680 or drop in and chat to one of our friendly Hullabaloo Hosts. Sessions must be pre-booked via our website.

Free

The kids absolutely loved this and thank goodness for the neurodiverse session! Without these sessions we would really struggle to attend as a family.

MEET

Meet Me A Tree is a brilliant first theatre experience for 0-2 year olds and their grown ups with music by Schumann, Delibes and Handel as well as words and music created by the company. With beautiful singing and relaxing music at its core, Meet Me a Tree is an opportunity for parents, carers and their babies to unwind and have some fun.

Susan Elkin, Sardines Magazine

FEBRUARY HALF TERM

Join us this February Half Term to explore the power of friendships!

PLAY IN TWO DAYS

Mon 20 & Tues 21 Feb • 10am-3pm • 6-10 years £35 per child / additional sibling £30

Making up, breaking up. We all need friends. Join Claire and Kieran to create a performance piece inspired by a wonderful Oliver Jeffers’ story that explores friendship. Additional wrap around care between 9am-10am / 3pm-4pm. £5 per child.

FABULOUS FRIENDS: STORYTELLING WITH ELENA

Wed 22 Feb

10.15am & 11.15am: 2-4 years and their grown ups 1.30pm: 3-7 years and their grown ups

Duration: 30 mins

Tickets: £3 per person / free babe in arms ticket (under 12 months) with full priced adult

Join our wonderful storyteller Elena Joy-Miller as she shares stories about having fun with friends. Expect giggles, games and songs as well.

EASTER HOLIDAYS

PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOPS

Tues 4 April • 10am & 1pm • 6-10 years (drop off)

Duration: 2 hours • Tickets: £6

Join expert puppeteers to create your own rod puppet using sustainable materials.

Fri 14 April • Various times • Ages 4+

Duration: 75 mins • Tickets £6 Make your own newspaper puppet and bring it to life with Pinocchio puppeteer, Steve Tiplady.

Check our website and socials for free Easter crafts and trails over the holidays!

© Luke Waddington

HOW LONG IS A PIECE OF STRING?

Fully

Duration: 45 minutes tickets: Adult £7 / Child £7 Group ticket £24 Free babe in arms ticket (under 12 months) with full priced adult

String and Strong can’t get along. But what if you could show them how? What are the things that create a friendship?

Join String and Strong as they create new sound and dance and try and understand each other and the world around them.

Of course, they must also answer one very silly but important question: just how long is a piece of string?

© Helen Maybanks

THE DARK

Peut-Être Theatre

Sat 11 March • 11am (Relaxed Performance) & 2pm

From the book by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen.

A brave young boy befriends the darkness in this fantastic show for the whole family based on the tale by Lemony Snicket. Join Laszlo on his journey to meet the dark and find out why it will never bother him again.

Please note that the 11am show is a Relaxed Performance. Read more about what a Relaxed Performance means at The Hullabaloo on pg 5. The Dark is also accessible for blind and visually impaired children through audio-description and touch tours.

If you have access needs and we can support your visit in any way, please contact the Hullabaloo Office and talk to one of our friendly team.

It was amazing and very funny. I thought it was going to be scary, but then it wasn’t.

PINOCCHIO

Indefinite Articles

This much-loved tale sees Steve Tiplady, as Geppetto, use the objects of a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father.

Pinocchio is carved on stage, brushes become a fox and the shadow of two saws transforms into a giant shark. An element of improvisation makes each performance unique to its audience.

Puppetry, shadows, illusion and especially composed music combine to create a show with something for all ages; it’s inventive and witty with a big heart.

Sat 22 - Sun 30 July 2023

Hullabaloo in the Park returns for 2023 - a fun-filled outdoor family festival taking place in Darlington’s beautiful South Park. Join us for live performances, storytelling, making, adventuring, dancing, singing and playing, aimed at 0-10 years and fun for all the family!

When the Birds Sang Tues 23 - Sat 27 May 2023

Inspired by children’s own responses to their lockdown experiences, Theatre Hullabaloo and Travelling Light Theatre have teamed up to create a fantastical new dance theatre show for everyone aged 4 years and above.

Take a magical flight above the clouds with a fantastic new friend in this beautiful and poignant show for the whole family to enjoy.

Performances are available for school groups (Years 1-5) from Tues 23 - Fri 26 May.

If you would like to book for your school, please contact Theatre Hullabaloo on 01325 405680 and speak to Kate.

Plan your visit

How to find us

Café Hullabaloo

Open Monday - Saturday • 10am-2pm

Our family friendly café provides a relaxing space to spend time with friends and family, serving hot and cold drinks and light snacks (including some gluten free options).

PARKGATE

There are plenty of highchairs and comfy chairs available for your visit. There’s easy access to toilets, baby change facilities and our buggy park. We also offer free wifi access.

The Hullabaloo, Borough Road, Darlington DL1 1SG

The Hullabaloo is easily reached on foot from Darlington Town Centre, public transport or car. We are only a 5-minute walk from Darlington train station.

Box Office

We share our Box Office with Darlington Hippodrome and this means they will be the lovely people taking your booking, which means you can also book tickets via them.

Phone: 01325 405 405 Monday - Saturday • 10am-8pm

In person: Monday - Saturday • 10am-8pm Open until 6pm on non performance days

Online: Tickets can be booked online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and there are no booking fees.

If you would like your tickets posted out to you, there will be a £1 fee per transaction for this service.

Payments can be made by cash, MasterCard, Visa and Maestro cards, or by cheque or postal order.

Parking

The Hullabaloo does not have a car park. There are short and long stay off street car parks close by to the venue. Most Council car parks are covered by 24 hour CCTV surveillance.

For further advice on parking please contact the Box Office, or visit the Darlington Borough Council website.

SUPPORT THEATRE HULLABALOO

Theatre Hullabaloo is a registered charity and we work hard to maintain low cost and free activities to ensure that creativity is part of everybody’s childhood.

Everything we do at The Hullabaloo is heavily subsidised to make it as available to as many people as possible. Without the generosity of the local community and our funders, we wouldn’t be able to do so much - can you help us to do more?

You can support Theatre Hullabaloo by:

• Purchasing Gift Vouchers from our website (they make a great present or special treat)

• Taking a Seat in our theatre (a brilliant gift to mark a special birthday with a seat plaque and certificate for the lucky recipient)

• Donating in person (we have a donation box in the café that takes cash and card payments)

• Donating online (you can add a donation when you purchase your tickets or donate via our website)

We are very grateful to our funders and to local businesses for their support too. If you are a business who would like to talk to us about supporting the work we do with local children and families, please do email us info@theatrehullabaloo.org.uk.

THANK YOU for helping us to make the magic happen.