Darlington based Theatre Hullabaloo and Darlington Borough Council have been given the final go-ahead and the commitment of £1.5 million from Arts Council England at Stage 2 of their capital investment programme, to realise Hullabaloo’s vision of The Hullabaloon, a child-centred theatre development.
The £2.9 million project, made possible in part by a commitment of £800,000 by Darlington Borough Council, will include a 150-seat studio theatre, family café, creative play spaces plus rehearsal and office space for the organisation.
Built within the former Fire Station next to Darlington Civic Theatre, The Hullaballoon will present performances for children, creative play installations, a wide range of creative opportunities and classes for families and be a focal point for creative education.
Opening in winter 2017, it will be an artistic and operational partnership between Theatre Hullabaloo, Darlington Borough Council and Darlington Civic Theatre and will be managed through an extension of the Civic’s operations. It will be available to community users when not serving its primary audience.
Sharon Paterson, Chair of Trustees for Theatre Hullabaloo, said that the announcement means that Theatre Hullabaloo’s dream of a flagship theatre for children in the North East can be realised.
“Despite significant financial pressures faced by the local authority,” she added, “Darlington Borough Council’s commitment to the partnership with Theatre Hullabaloo underscores a shared belief in the importance of culture in the lives of young people. This, coupled with the support from Arts Council England, will enable us to build a theatre for young audiences which will have national and international significance.”
Councillor Nick Wallis, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Environment for Darlington Borough Council commented, “it’s great news that ACE has given the go-ahead for this exciting project. We are now awaiting news from the Heritage Lottery Fund about the application for funding to support the plans to preserve and regenerate the Civic Theatre.
“Together these two projects represent a major investment and will create a theatre quarter in the borough that audiences and performers can enjoy for generations to come.”