An amateur film produced by members of the Darlington Cine Club Peter Dobing, Derek Mathieson and George Theaker that documents the refurbishment and re-opening of the Darlington Civic Theatre, now Darlington Hippodrome. The official opening took place on the 28th November 1990 by the Mayor of Darlington Eric Roberts. The film also features the finale performance before refurbishment began of Cinderella featuring Jimmy Cricket, and possibly the first performance in the new theatre featuring...

An amateur film produced by members of the Darlington Cine Club Peter Dobing, Derek Mathieson and George Theaker that documents the refurbishment and re-opening of the Darlington Civic Theatre, now Darlington Hippodrome. The official opening took place on the 28th November 1990 by the Mayor of Darlington Eric Roberts. The film also features the finale performance before refurbishment began of Cinderella featuring Jimmy Cricket, and possibly the first performance in the new theatre featuring comedy double act ‘Little and Large’. Title: Darlington Civic Theatre The film opens with a view from the dress circle of the Darlington Civic Theatre stage at the end of a performance of the pantomime 'Cinderella'. The Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket comes onto the stage dressed as ‘Buttons’. He comes forward to the edge of the stage and begins speaking to the audience via a microphone. From the back of the stage two female actors dressed as Cinderella and the Prince come forward to take a bow. Cinderella’s pink gown has a very long trail which is being held off the ground by two cast members. Other members of the cast come forward as Jimmy Cricket continues to speak with the audience. The cast begin to clap as children who featured in the performance arrive to take their bow and move to the back of the stage. The manager arrives on stage and takes over the microphone from Jimmy Cricket, spotlit on stage. The sequence ends with balloons falling onto the audience as the cast on stage applaud and the curtain comes down. Shot from inside the theatre looking out onto Yarm Road, a red ribbon for the official opening ceremony is attached to the doors. Eric Roberts, the Mayor of Darlington stands nearby in his mayoral chains beside other smartly dressed guests. Mr Roberts cuts the ribbon to declare the newly refurbished theatre open. Inside on the stage Eric Roberts gives a speech before the curtain behind him rises revealing the newly refurbished auditorium. The film fades to reveal the theatres ‘Safety Curtain’ behind plastic in front of a number of planks of timber. General views showing the auditorium during the refurbishment covered in plastic and scaffolding. A series of photographs show the work being done around the theatre. Exterior and interior views of the theatre during refurbishment follow.  A brass plaque reads: ‘This Dressing Room has been refurbished thanks to a Donation from The Friends of Darlington Civic Theatre’. An interior view of the dressing room follows. Back out in the auditorium, a woman is vacuuming the new carpet and another cleaner polishes a brass plaque. A table is laid out for an event with food and drink, The Mayor Eric Roberts unveils a plaque which commemorates the opening of the theatre on the 28th November 1990. He poses by the plaque as photographs are taken and the crowd applaud. A performance takes place on the stage. The film ends with comedy double act ‘Little and Large’ (Syd Little and Eddie Large) perform a dance routine on stage with Geoffrey Hughes. End credit: Film made by Peter Dobing, Derek Mathieson, George Theaker End title: Darlington Civic Theatre