Darlington
Hippodrome unveils a packed spectacular opening season following a
multi-million pound restoration.
Following 18 months of expectation the
opening season of the newly restored Darlington Hippodrome can finally be
revealed.
As a curtain-raiser and emotional homecoming we
welcome DarlingtonOS with Strictly
Musicals 2 – a song and dance extravaganza featuring some of the best-loved
musicals of all time including Mamma Mia,
Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago,
Jersey Boys and many, many more. Be
one of the first to see inside the new venue from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25
November.
Christmas just
wouldn’t be Christmas without a pantomime, and this year we have the fairest of
them all - Snow White and the Seven
Dwarfs. Starring boy band and soap star Lee Ryan alongside Darlington’s own
West End leading lady Zoe Birkett this year’s pantomime will be packed full of
comedy, songs, dance numbers and the usual Darlington pantomime magic between Saturday 9 December and Sunday 14
January.
On Monday 1
January, we usher in the New Year in style with New
Year in Vienna 2018 which will whisk you away to a fairy-tale world as a host of
singers showcase the very best of popular Viennese music, from waltzes and
polkas to uplifting marches.
Just because
it’s January it doesn’t mean it’s too late for a party! The
music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is as popular today as it was back
in the 60s and 70s. New Jersey Nights
is a spectacular show direct from the USA and takes the audience on a nostalgic
musical journey through the career of one of the biggest selling groups of all
time from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 January.
From Friday 2 to Sunday 4 February
celebrate the re-opening of Darlington Hippodrome with a specially created
show, Anywhere, performed by the
theatre’s own acting company. Step through the doors of the theatre and go
behind the scenes to explore the amazing stories that lie within the theatre.
A
spectacular new musical is heading to Darlington from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10
February. Son of a Preacher Man is
an all-new production directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood who won critical
acclaim for his productions of Sister Act, Chess and Sunset Boulevard. This
sparklingly funny and touching new musical features the greatest hits of Dusty
Springfield including ‘The Look of Love’, ‘I Only Want To Be With You’ and of
course, the classic ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’.
If you are a
fan of Andy Williams or The Osmonds then we have a real treat on Monday 12
February as Jimmy Osmond presents
his own tribute to Andy Williams in Moon
River and Me. Featuring award-winning music, nostalgic footage and special
memories, this brand new show will touch your heart.
 |
| Jimmy Osmond |
Just in time
for Valentines, That'll Be The Day returns
with a brand new show for 2018 for two nights only on Tuesday 13 & Wednesday 14 February. This hugely entertaining
line-up of classic gold hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s provides both laughs and
nostalgia.
We are
delighted to welcome The Russian State
Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia back to Darlington with three great
ballet masterpieces: Romeo & Juliet
(Thursday 15 Feb), the tragic Swan Lake (Friday
16 and Saturday 17 Feb) and family favourite The Nutcracker (Sunday 18 Feb).
Few musicals
have received quite such acclaim as the multi award winning Blood Brothers (Tuesday 20 – Saturday 4
February). Written by Willy Russell,
this legendary story tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who,
separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks only to meet again
with fateful consequences. The superb score includes ‘Bright New Day’, ‘Marilyn
Monroe’ and the emotionally charged ‘Tell Me It’s Not True’.
 |
| Lynn Paul |
Having first
appeared in Darlington back in the 1960s we welcome back the world class
orchestra The Hallé on Monday 26
February.
March
strides in with the stage adaptation of Awful
Auntie – another classic from David Walliams. When Stella visits London she
has no idea her life is in real danger. Waking up three months later only Aunt
Alberta can tell her what has happened. Awful Auntie runs from Tuesday 27 February
to Saturday 3 March.
The Cornley
Polytechnic Drama Society is back with their multi award-winning production The Play That Goes Wrong from Tuesday 6
to Saturday 10 March. Hailed a ‘gut-busting hit’ by the New York Times,
Mischief Theatre’s sell-out West End comedy is now taking Broadway by storm.
Don’t miss this brilliantly funny comedy that’s guaranteed to leave you aching
with laughter.
Following recent productions of To Sir, With Love, Brassed Off, A View From The Bridge, Brave New World and Of Mice and Men, The Touring Consortium Theatre Company presents Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde from Tuesday 13
to Saturday 17 March. Phil Daniels (Les
Miserables, This House, EastEnders) stars in the title role in a
story of human nature, love and the power of pure evil.
 |
| Jekyll |
On Monday 19
March the world’s official number one Eagles tribute Illegal Eagles returns for another outstanding show promising more
of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail and incredible
showmanship followed on Tuesday 20 March by a night of comedy with Stewart Lee with his stand-up show Content Provider, his first full-length
show since the award-winning Carpet
Remnant World.
 |
| Stewart Lee |
Ellen Kent
returns with Madama Butterfly on Wednesday
21 March and the smash-hit 70s band Smokie
will raise the roof on Thursday 22 March. For the younger theatre fans Peppa Pig has a wonderful adventure on Saturday
24 and Sunday 25 March. The opening season draws to a close as Middleground
Theatre Company bring the Ruth Rendell classic Gallowglass to the stage from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 March.
Tickets for the Darlington Hippodrome opening season are on sale now; brochures
are available from our Cornmill box office and in venues across the region.
For further information and to book contact the
box office on 01325 405405, or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
to choose your own seats online.
