WITH the prospect of live performance returning to the region’s stages tantalisingly close, dates are being pencilled in for shows later this year.
At the Darlington Hippodrome, where work on a brochure for a new programme of events has begun, several shows have been lined up for the autumn and early winter in an effort to tempt theatregoers back.
First up is By The Waters of Liverpool, which will be performed for two nights – September 15 and 16.
The play is adapted from the million-selling book, a period drama set in the 1930s.
It follows the story of Helen Forrester, a 16-year-old who fighting a bitter battle with her parents for the right to educate herself and go out to work.
During the Great Depression, her father lost his fortune when the stock market crashed and the family were suddenly thrown into poverty.
Leaving behind the gilded world of nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the south west of England, the Forresters chose Liverpool as the place to start over.
Taken out of school to care for her younger brothers and sisters while her parents struggled to re-build their shattered lives, Helen is treated as an unpaid slave and desperate to escape.
By 1939 and now aged 20 and with Britain on the brink of war, she has never been kissed by a man. But things start looking up for Helen when she falls in love.
For music lovers – especially those of classic rock – the smash hit Rock Of Ages heads to the theatre for a run from November 23-27.
The musical comedy show is set in LA and features 25 well known anthems including Don’t Stop Believin’, We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Wanted Dead or Alive and Here I Go Again, all played by a live band.
The show has proved a hit on both sides of the Atlantic.
No winter season would be complete without a panto, and this year, Cinderella will hit the stage from December 10 to 31.
Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences expect, Cinderella features laugh out loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.
Join Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very ugly sisters and meets her dashing Prince Charming.
Details of these and all other shows currently booked are available online at www. darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk.
