An amateur film produced by Peter Dobing, George Theaker and Derek Mathieson about the workings and operation of the Darlington Civic Theatre, now the Darlington Hippodrome. Filmed between 1987 when the theatre celebrated its 80th birthday, and 1990 when it re-opened following renovations, the film goes behind the scenes on those who make the theatre run from its Director Brian Goddard to the cleaners who sweep the floors. A number of productions feature including the 1987 pantomime ‘Robin...

An amateur film produced by Peter Dobing, George Theaker and Derek Mathieson about the workings and operation of the Darlington Civic Theatre, now the Darlington Hippodrome. Filmed between 1987 when the theatre celebrated its 80th birthday, and 1990 when it re-opened following renovations, the film goes behind the scenes on those who make the theatre run from its Director Brian Goddard to the cleaners who sweep the floors. A number of productions feature including the 1987 pantomime ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’ featuring Stu Francis and Geoff Capes and the 1989 touring production of Noel Coward’s ‘Blithe Spirit’ staring Rula Lenska and Anna Wing both of whom feature in this film. Four women in Edwardian costumes come along a corridor making their way towards the stage. Title: Darlington Civic Theatre A number of younger women in dance costumes come down a set of stairs. On stage four singers perform a rendition of ‘Knees Up Mother Brown’ in full pearly king and queen costumes. Title: A Show Business Well-dressed men and women come through the main entrance of the Darlington Civic Theatre and are greeted by theatre staff including the manager in black suit and bowtie. On stage Brian Goddard, Director of the theatre, welcomes on stage the Mayoress of Darlington who cuts a cake to mark the 80th birthday of the theatre. Glasses of Champagne are arranged on trays and members of staff take them into the auditorium and present them to members of the audience. In the near dark audience members pass glasses along the row to those on the furthest seats. A historic photograph of the theatre changes to show the ‘New Hippodrome’ carved into the side of the building. The theatre from Parkgate changes to a man opening the rear of a large articulated lorry. Members of the crew unload the sets for a new production of ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’. Specially modified flooring is installed, and extra lighting bought in and set up. Members of the cast rehearse a song from the show on stage as a man stands over a sound mixing desk. At the back of the theatre in the Gallery technicians sit at the lighting control desk. A man sets up a reel of sound effects on a tape machine beside a twelve-channel mixer. The Lighting Engineer sits at his controls, he wears a headphones to keep in contact with spotlight operators working above in the lights. On stage a different production as performers sings a song from a music hall production. A montage sequence follows beginning with comedian Frank Carson, members of the Northern Ballet warming up on stage, singer Vince Hill put on make-up in his dressing room and an action sequence from another production taking place on stage. In her dressing room actor Rula Lenska puts on make-up for her part as Elvira in a production of ‘Blithe Spirit’. At his desk Brian Goddard checks through a document and makes a telephone call regarding a future production. In another office other members of the administrative staff make more phone calls or type letters. In the theatre auditorium a member of staff is on her knees cleaning behind one of the seats. In another part of the theatre a shirt is ironed, a woman comes over and takes a costume from a rack. She sits smokes a cigarette at a sowing machine while making an alteration or repair. Backstage three men pull and tie up the ropes used to move pieces of the set on the stage. Members of the stage crew work backstage on scenery for an upcoming pantomime production. Working together three men pull on the ropes lowering one the piece of scenery on stage. The film changes to show a scene from the pantomime ‘Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood’ taking place on stage featuring Stu Francis, Geoff Capes and Des King. Members of the Friends of the Civic enjoy a buffet supper while chatting with members of the cast from ‘Blithe Spirits’ including Rula Lenska. Sitting nearby is Eastenders star Anna Wing who is also performing in this production. The theatre lit up at night changes to its box office next door and members of staff helping patrons purchases tickets for an upcoming production. Back on stage inside the theatre members of the cast from ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ take a bow at the end of a performance, the audience applauding. Backstage a man pulls the ropes raising and lowing the curtain. The final curtain over the cast makes their way off the stage. A production over members of the stage crew begin to pack away props in a large wicker basket and load the set and lighting rig into the back of an articulated lorry. The film ends at the counter inside the box office and a member of staff answers the telephone from someone wanting to book a ticket. End credit: Cameras Derek Mathieson, George Theaker End credit: Editing and Sound Peter Dobing End credit: With grateful thanks to Brian Goddard and his staff End credit: and to Darlington Borough Council for their assistance