Civic-Theatre-Hi-Res-Logo-1-117x300Darlington Civic Theatre – a place to dream big.

Following a successful Heritage Lottery Fund Bid, Darlington Civic Theatre is planning a series of events to entertain and educate during the refurbishment period as well as looking forward to the remaining productions of a spectacular season.

Spring is in the air and there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a trip to Darlington Civic Theatre prior to the fantastic multi-million pound refurbishment project which commences in June.

We are currently enjoying time at Harvard Law School as DarlingtonOS presents Legally Blonde, running until Saturday 30 April. On Wednesday 4 May Phoenix Dance Theatre celebrate their 35th anniversary year with a triple bill of intense, funny and beautiful works based on Shakespeare’s themes of desire and unrequited love, concepts of the enclosed space that exists within our minds and darkly comic expressions of life and humanity.

Jodie Prenger makes a welcome return to the Civic Theatre following her starring role in Calamity Jane last year. This time for one night only in the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black classic Tell Me On A Sunday on Thursday 5 May. This new production includes an intimate post-show chat with Jodie about life, love and playing the role of Emma in the show.

The UK’s best-selling classical crossover artist of all time, Russell Watson, returns to Darlington Civic Theatre with another stunning collection of best-loved songs. Captivating to watch and enchanting to listen to, Russell continues to wow audiences with his enigmatic live performances, Friday 6 May (limited tickets now available). Saturday 7 May will see you dancing in the aisles to the best Motown hits with Dancing In The Streets. Expect your favourite songs made famous by The Four Tops, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Lionel Ritchie and many, many more.

The hit West End and Broadway show Let It Be celebrates the music of The Beatles and is coming to Darlington from Monday 9 to Saturday 14 May. Seen by over one million people worldwide, Let It Be has established itself as one of the West End’s most popular shows. Travel back to the magical sixties when all you needed was love and a little help from your friends.

The nation’s favourite Strictly Come Dancing stars will grace the Civic Theatre stage as part of their ultimate farewell stage show – The Last Tango. Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have created their most moving production yet for their final ever theatre tour. Don’t miss your last chance to see this beautiful couple do what they do best live, in an intimate, passionate and explosive production from Monday 16 to Saturday 21 May.

As well as being a household name in entertainment, David Walliam’s is the UK’s best-selling author for children. The stage adaptation of his book Gangsta Granny comes to the Civic Theatre from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 May. Ben’s Friday nights are usually so boring – staying with his Granny. It’s going to be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake. But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine.

As a final farewell to the Civic Theatre as we know it, a spectacular fundraising gala evening is in store on Tuesday 31 May. Live At The Hippodrome will be a very special evening to celebrate and anticipate the theatre’s restoration. The night will be hosted by national treasure Christopher Biggins and promises to be an unforgettable evening of live music, comedy, dancing and entertainment with community involvement and further casting to be announced.

In May there are two opportunities to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the theatre. Come and learn how the theatre works from the other side of the curtain, visit the dressing rooms – some said to be haunted, and learn more about the planned restoration project. These Heritage Tours will take place on Tuesday 3 and Monday 23 May at 6pm. Tickets are priced at just £5 and can be booked through the box office.

Looking ahead…

During the restoration process there will be many opportunities to engage with us. Two Royal Geographical Society lectures are to take place at Central Hall at the Dolphin Centre. Tristan Gooley is a best selling author and navigator who will be talking about the mysteries of water from wild swimming in England to Polynesian canoe navigation via the icy expanses of the Arctic (Monday 18 July). Nick Middleton is an award-winning photographer, writer, TV presenter, environmental scientist and lecturer at Oxford University. Nick takes you on an eye-opening tour of countries that don’t exist, countries that lack diplomatic recognition or UN membership that inhabit a realm of shifting borders (Monday 3 October).

This is your chance to be the star attraction as The Touring Consortium Theatre Company in association with Darlington Civic Theatre presents the Charles Dickens classic A Tale Of Two Cities on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November.

Dickens considered this novel to be the best story he had ever written. Interweaving one family’s intensely personal drama with the terror and chaos of the French Revolution. An epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption amidst horrific violence and world changing events.

The production will be staged in the atmospheric setting of Darlington’s Central Hall, where Dickens himself read in 1858 and 1861 and will feature a full community cast working with a professional director from the Touring Consortium Theatre Company. Auditions for the community cast will take place in July. For further information please contact [email protected]

Add your support…

Darlington Civic Theatre stands on the threshold of a new era. With a final £1.6m to fundraise there is a unique opportunity for supporters old and new to take the theatre forward into the next chapter of its incredible story.

A seat naming campaign has begun, supported by renowned north east actor Stephen Tompkinson. This is a fantastic opportunity to personalize your very own seat in the beautifully restored Edwardian auditorium. In recognition of your donation an engraved brass plaque will be placed on your chosen seat and you will receive a commemorative certificate. Seats will be £200 or you can name a pair of seats for £375. Your sponsorship will last for 15 years. To sponsor a seat visit the website or call the box office on 01325 486555.

Tickets for the remainder of the Winter / Spring season are on sale now.

For further information about the full Winter / Spring Season programme, pick up one of our brochures located in venues across Darlington including Darlington Civic Theatre Box Office and the

Cornmill Centre Box Office, or contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk