Galleries
The restored Darlington Hippodrome features three new galleries. The Pantomime Gallery celebrates the history and traditions of pantomime, while the young person's gallery, supported by the Gillian Dickinson Trust, is a changing space dedicated to celebrating and displaying work for and by young people, in and around Darlington. The ground floor heritage promenade hosts changing exhibitions, drawing on the theatre's archival collection.
What's on in the galleries
The Catherine Cookson Heritage Gallery - Heritage Promenade
May 2019 - August 2019
The Hippodrome in Print
This exhibition celebrates the work of Arthur Hughes from The Art Shop in Darlington: from renting studio space in 1939, opening ‘ART’ arts and craft shop in 1947 in Northgate, then Duke Street in the 1960’s and now the current premises in the 1980’s. Arthur Hughes created a variety of posters, placards and silk-screen printings for numerous businesses in and around Darlington. From the early 1950s until the mid 1980s The Art Shop supplied Darlington Hippodrome with posters and the special bus cards which you can see in the exhibition today. READ MORE
The Gillian Dickinson Gallery - Dress Circle Level
Until May 2019
Celebrate Youth Theatre and Youth Dance at the Hipp
Showcasing the amazing work and skill of our youth classes, this exhibition will explore the opportunities the young people have being part of our youth programme. This photography-led exhibition will celebrate the achievements of past and current students as well as offering sneak peaks into their upcoming performances and events!
Pantomime Gallery - 2nd Floor
Permanent exhibition
Hooray for the Hipp - 110 Years of Pantomime
Celebrating 110 years of pantomimes at the Hippodrome, this permanent exhibition will guide you through the A-Z of pantomime traditions and popular practices. Tracing pantomime from its classical and European roots as the commedia dell’arte, through its Victoriana revival, you will be able to learn about the origins of some of your favourite jokes, characters and stories.
Footlights Bar - first floor
Backstage at the Edwardian Theatre
Within the Footlights Bar this permanent exhibition is a chance to step back in time and explore the backstage world of an Edwardian theatre. You will be able to learn the secrets behind the tricks and techniques that astonished Edwardian audiences, such as the ghostly apparitions on stage, flying actors and quick change scenery.