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 21st to Saturday 25th 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 fairytale 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. 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’.
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.
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. 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. Visit the What’s On page of the website: www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
