@76tn28
Darlington Hippodrome is one of Darlington's principal cultural and entertainment venues, occupying the historic theatre building on Parkgate in the town centre. Originally opened in 1907, the venue has undergone major restoration and refurbishment while retaining its historic character. Today it operates primarily as a receiving theatre, presenting touring productions, musicals, comedy, dance, music, family entertainment and other live performances. The theatre's principal event space is its main auditorium, which provides more than 1,000 seats across its stalls and balcony areas. This makes the Hippodrome particularly suitable for large presentations, conferences, award ceremonies, performances, graduations and corporate events where a traditional theatre environment is desirable. The auditorium is supported by a professional stage, lighting, sound and backstage infrastructure. The building also contains smaller hospitality and meeting areas that can support private events, receptions and meetings. Its central location makes it convenient for visitors travelling by public transport, while nearby town-centre car parks provide parking.
The Main Auditorium is Darlington Hippodrome's principal event space and consists of the stalls and balcony seating surrounding the main stage. Its traditional theatre configuration makes it particularly appropriate for performances, conferences, presentations, award ceremonies and large-scale corporate or community events requiring fixed audience seating and professional theatrical production facilities.
The Hippo Lounge is the theater's bright, modern, and stylish ground-floor café and bar area. It functions as a welcoming space filled with colorful chairs, comfortable booth seating, and a long service counter. This venue is perfect for casual gatherings, daytime meetings, or evening drink receptions, holding up to 100 people for standing networking events.
The Horizon Room (often known as part of the specialized gallery or upper-tier bar spaces) offers a beautiful historic feel with classic architecture. It features a stunning arched window that lets in ample natural light, high vaulted ceilings, and elegant dark seating. It provides a quieter, highly sophisticated atmosphere ideal for small private gatherings or premium pre-show drinks.
The Living Water Room is a spectacular vaulted function room beautifully hidden inside the theatre's iconic, 64-foot-high pyramid-roofed water tower. Originally built in 1907 to store thousands of gallons of high-pressure water for spectacular Edwardian aquatic stage illusions, the space has been fully restored into an exclusive boutique boardroom. It accommodates up to 18 guests for intimate corporate events or private dining.
The Hullabaloo Studio Theatre is a highly versatile, contemporary 177-seat black-box style space slotted directly into the town's adjacent historic Edwardian fire station. It features modern, intimate seating layouts, flexible lighting grids, and soundproofing. It is primarily operated as a flagship creative hub for children, youth programs, and family-oriented performance art.
The John Wade Group Lounge is located on the first-floor atrium level of the theatre. It is open as a public mezzanine bar selling snacks and drinks before evening theater shows, but can be closed off entirely for corporate functions or private celebrations.
Loading availability...
