A thoroughly modern and unique take on a history tour
The newly refurbished Darlington
Hippodrome, formerly the Civic and before that the grandly titled The New Hippodrome and Palace Theatre of
Varieties has such a rich history that it was begging for someone to take
it all and make something of it. Other
historic recountings have invested in video or multimedia sessions with the audience
sat in a plush new lounge and furnished with an audio guide but that’s not the
New Hippodrome’s style. For this, the
brilliant ODDMANOUT theatre group have been engaged to work with the Hippodrome and the Hippodrome
Theatre Company and have produced an innovative, interactive, entertaining and
downright fun approach to both guided tour and history lesson.
Starting with a flashmob-esque
opening number which I guarantee will leave you with the evening’s earworm, you
are brought together in a small group and taken on a behind the scenes and
screens tour of the new and old, while along the way being entertained by
characters from literary and theatrical stardom.
The ‘cast’ – who seems to morph seamlessly
between characters, guides and even audience are brilliant in making the history
come alive. Stories from giants such as Carrol
& Shakespeare are rammed hard up against the comedic shoulders of Barry
& Paul, driven to ‘fight’ by Lewis and then cuddled by the quintessential British
Dame, all done as you wind your way through the auditorium, changing rooms, stores
and flys. Not only do you get to tread
the boards and gaze out at the seats, but you get to spend time in the Green
room, intruding on a rehearsal which would fit perfectly with The Play that
Goes….
If you have ever been to the Hippodrome
(or Civic), if you enjoy theatre in general but wonder what ‘behind’ is like or
if you just love great entertainment and watching a very, very good cast
please, PLEASE treat yourself and grab a
ticket – it’s only on for an hour but it’s so much fun and you may just learn a
little. If nothing else you will appreciate why you should take heed that There’s
a Fish Train Comin’.
Anywhere is on from Friday 2nd till Sunday 4th Feb with shows 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2,30pm, 3pm and evenings 7pm, 7.30pm 8pm, 8.30pm and 9pm.
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