Darlington Civic Theatre enjoys higher visitor figures

Members of Darlington Borough Council will meet this week to discuss the venue’s financial performance and to consider the budget for the publicly funded attraction next year.

Reports for the meeting reveal that the venue is undergoing a revival, with more visitors and increased takings.

Cliff Brown, the council’s director of community services, wrote: “It celebrated its centenary in September 2007 and remains firmly rooted in the local community.

“The civic theatre offers a diverse, vibrant programme, which is designed to cater for all tastes, to provide excellent entertainment and generate income.”

The report added that takings for the Christmas production of Aladdin, starring former X Factor contestant Chico, are up more than £58,572 on last year.

Mr Brown wrote: “Despite the challenging economic situation nationally, the Civic Theatre had a particularly successful year in 2008-9, both artistically and in terms of audience figures.

“The programme also exceeded its contribution target by £32,660.

“Having regard to the current position for 2009- 10, it is expected that the programme will perform at least as well as the last financial year.

“If the current booking trends for the pantomime continue, it will exceed it.”

From April to November, box office takings were £1,005,303, with highlights including play Dinner Ladies, which was seen by 3,307 people, Horrid Henry, which was seen by 4,062 youngsters, and music show Dreamboats and Petticoats, which was seen by 4,194 fans.

The theatre’s box office in the Cornmill shopping centre is cited as one reason behind this year’s success, with bookings and sales through the outlet totalling £121,777 so far this financial year.

However, there were some less successful performances.

In June, Rattle of a Simple Man, starring former East- Enders actor Hannah Waterman, left a £6,072 deficit, and in October, the stage adaptation of Kes revealed a deficit of £6,772.