Darlington Civic Theatre to reopen as Darlington Hippodrome after refit

Darlington Civic Theatre is to close in May for more than a year while its £11.7 million refurbishment takes place, and will reopen as the Darlington Hippodrome.

The renamed theatre – originally called the New Theatre and Palace of Varieties when it opened in 1907 – will open its doors in autumn 2017, after work to restore the building and expand its backstage facilities. This will allow bigger touring shows to visit the venue.

Seating capacity in the theatre will also be expanded from 900 to 1,000, while existing seats will be modified to allow for more legroom.

Other improvements planned for the building include a new entrance, two lifts for disabled access and restoration of the building’s 109-year-old exterior.

A new education centre will enable a wider range of extra learning and engagement activities during the day.

The long-planned restoration of the building was greenlit earlier this week when the project received a £4.5 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The remaining funding for the project will be raised through a restoration ticket levy, in addition to corporate sponsorship and further applications to grant-giving bodies.

Local councillor Nick Wallis claimed the closure and renovation would “secure the future of the town’s much loved theatre.”

The theatre’s director Lynda Winstanley added she was “very proud” that the Heritage Lottery Fund had recognised “the importance and value of the Theatre as a cultural and community asset”.

She said: “I’m very grateful to our audiences and supporters locally and nationally for their loyalty and support.”

The announcement comes a week after Arts Council England approved a plan by the theatre and local council to create a £2.9 million new children’s theatre next to the existing Civic Theatre.