Darlington’s Hullabaloo has announced its programme of play installations, workshops and performances for young children during the spring.
Running all the way through to 18 April is a free, specially commissioned play installation Deep Sea Adventures, an interactive voyage of discovery with coral reefs to crawl over, mysterious caves to explore and giant fish which are not quite what they seem. The installation is designed for children to play in with their grown-ups and includes elements for crawlers and toddlers right up to those aged 8 years old. It runs from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 2:00 and there is no need to book, but at busy times there may be a short wait.
Other events and performances are:
- Igloo from Travelling Light and Bristol Old Vic for ages 0–3 years from 13 to 15 February.
- Storytelling for ages 2–5 years / 5–7 years on 18 February.
- Play in a Day—Owl and the Pussy-Cat for ages 6–12 years on 19 February. A drama-filled day for children to perform a new play to friends and family at The Hullabaloo.
- The Curious Scrapbook of Josephine Bean by Shona Reppe, produced by Catherine Wheels for ages 7+ on 22 February.
- Meet me a Tree by HurlyBurly is an interactive first opera for 0- to 2-year-olds with music by Schumann, Delibes and Handel as well as original words and music by Catherine Carter. For ages 0–2 years, it runs on 28 and 29 February.
- Jack and the Beanstalk presented by Lyngo Theatre for ages 3–8 years on 7 March.
- Baba Yaga, a co-production between Theatre Hullabaloo and Action Transport Theatre, a new fairytale about the greatest witch of all, Baba Yaga, a dark and funny story where danger skulks but safety is closer than you think. For ages 6+, running from 1 to 11 April.
- Play in two days—Create Your Own Fairytale, for ages 6–12 years on 15 and 16 April. An opportunity for children to perform a new play to friends and family at The Hullabaloo.
- A Hullabaloo in the Clouds from Theatre Hullabaloo for 0 to 4 years on 2 May.
- Moon Song from Bamboozle Theatre Company is a show for young audiences on the autistic spectrum aged 6–14 years on 6 May.
Miranda Thain, Artistic Producer at Theatre Hullabaloo, said, “we are immensely proud of spring 2020 at The Hullabaloo. We have an excellent mix of theatre for young children, storytelling sessions and Hullabaloo themed days along with our free creative play installation Deep Sea Adventures. Since opening, we have welcomed over 45,000 children and young people to The Hullabaloo and we look forward to seeing familiar faces return, as well as welcoming many new families this spring.”