Theatre Hullabaloo opens children’s theatre in Darlington

13 Dec 2017 12:07 PM

A new venue specially designed for young people and their families in the North East opened to the public on Tuesday 12 December. The Hullabaloo in Darlington has been created especially for children and is the only specialist theatre of its type north of London. It will be run by Theatre Hullabaloo, the north-east's specialist producer of theatre for young audiences.

Arts Council England Chief Executive Darren Henley formally opened the theatre on Monday 11 December, noting that it will attract theatre from all around the world and how exciting it is that children growing up in Darlington have this on their doorstep. Pupils from The Rydal Academy in Darlington enjoyed a special performance of the first production - Bear and Butterfly, a charming tale of changing friendship for everyone aged four and above running from 12-31 December.

The theatre was created in consultation with local children and Miranda Thain, Theatre Hullabaloo’s creative producer, stressed the fundamental role that arts and creativity have to play in the growth and development of children and their understanding of an increasingly complicated world. It is hoped that the theatre will inspire young people and help them to realise their aspirations.

Built in an Edwardian Fire Station and next to the newly named Darlington Hippodrome, The Hullabaloo includes a 150-seat studio theatre, creative play installation space, café area, workshop/rehearsal space, dressing rooms and an external play space.

Theatre Hullabaloo’s former base, Darlington Arts Centre, was closed in 2012. Following its sale, Darlington council committed some of the revenue to investing in a theatre aimed at young audiences. The Hullabaloo has been developed in partnership with Darlington Borough Council, and received support of £1.5 million from Arts Council England through our Capital programme towards the total cost of £2.8 million.

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England said “We believe that every child should have the opportunity to experience and take part in arts and cultural activity and that this is crucial to developing imagination, self-expression and creativity. I’m delighted to have opened The Hullabaloo new venue – it is a wonderful space where children can play, learn, creative and watch performances especially for them. I’m sure that it will be welcomed by families and communities across the North East and I’m pleased that we have supported it through our National Lottery funded capital programme.”

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