North east children and young people’s theatre company, Theatre Hullabaloo, has been awarded capital investment of £1.5million from Arts Council England at Stage 1 of its capital investment programme, to realise its vision of a child-centred theatre development on a site adjacent to Darlington’s Civic Theatre.
The £2.15 million project, made possible by a commitment of £650,000 by Darlington Borough Council, will include a 150-seat studio theatre, family café, creative play spaces and rehearsal and office space for the organisation.
The development, opening in autumn 2016, will see an artistic and operational partnership between the company, Darlington Borough Council and Darlington’s Civic Theatre. The new theatre, known as The Hullaballoon, will offer a programme of performances, play installations, creative curriculum delivery and family-focused activities which will have an emphasis on opportunities for younger children.
The Hullaballoon will also be a hub for key partnerships with regional universities interested in developing child-centred research in practice, as well as being available for use by local community groups.
Miranda Thain, Creative Producer of Theatre Hullabaloo, said, "The opportunity to build a child-centred theatre in Darlington is a dream come true and as the only theatre of its kind in the north, the Hullabaloon will have a hugely positive impact for children and families based within the region for years to come. It will also make a significant contribution to children’s theatre nationally and internationally."
Councillor Nick Wallis, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Environment for Darlington Borough Council says, "This is excellent news and a welcome support in realising our vision of a Northern Centre of excellence for children’s theatre based here in Darlington.
"We’re committed to making Darlington a place where art happens, where the arts matter and where arts and creativity are central to the town’s future identity and economic success and that is why we’re contributing £650,000 from the sale of the former Arts Centre. Our strong partnership with the Arts Council and the work of Theatre Hullabaloo has been integral to taking this project forward.
"The funding will allow Theatre Hullabaloo and Darlington Borough Council to create a nationally significant children’s theatre space, in addition to our historic Civic Theatre, promoting excellent arts practice for children and young people while bringing more people into Darlington to take part in and enjoy the arts. But the space is not only for children and young people, it will also be used by the wider community so will benefit everyone in the Borough."
In this week's announcement of NPO funding from Arts Council England, Theatre Hullabaloo received a 20.5% increase, the second largest in the region, to enable it to develop further its TakeOff Festival of theatre for children and young people.