An exciting new initiative has launched in Darlington to bring ambitious and high quality theatre to the town.

The project brings together the expertise of partners Creative Darlington, Darlington Hippodrome, Luxi, Theatre Hullabaloo and ODDMANOUT to cement Darlington’s place as a Theatre Town and a place where theatre thrives.

The project, funded by the Arts Council and Darlington Borough Council, grew from the opportunity presented by the redevelopment of the Civic Theatre (opening as Darlington Hippodrome this autumn), the exciting development of Theatre Hullabaloo’s new theatre for young audiences, The Hullabaloo (opening this autumn), and the momentum that has built over the last couple of years around theatre in unusual places by events such as the award-winning Jabberwocky Market.

Alongside the programme of theatre in the town the partners are working together to create training opportunities for the wider sector, to develop and share knowledge and data about audiences, create wraparound activity to reach audiences and build interest and excitement around the opening of Darlington Hippodrome and The Hullabaloo.

Highlights of the programme will see the sensational theatre ensemble Wet Picnic perform their extravagant outdoor production The Ball to audiences in the town centre. Paines Plough will bring their temporary theatre space Roundabout to the North East for the first time. Roundabout will feature a specially curated programme of events and then for the younger audiences an immersive and sensory performance for pre-walking babies, Nest.

Watch this space for more information and to keep up to date with the programme. And join us on social media using #Darlington #TheatreTown