The New Hippodrome & Palace of Varieties was
formally opened on Monday September 2 1907.
It's first Managing Director was Signor Rino Pepi, an Italian ex patriot who was originally a quick-change artist and impersonator.
More information on Signor Rino Pepi here in article from the D&S times
CLICK HERE TO VIEW ARTICLE
Signor Rino Pepi
George F. Ward of Owen & Ward of Birmingham, a firm specialising in theatre building, designed the theatre and Owen and Ward were responsible for the building of the theatre. It is constructed from local Middlesbrough red brick with terracotta dressings.
Above the Parkgate entrance is a 64 foot high pyramid-roofed tower (the grey slated roof) which houses a water tank that gives the theatre's distinctive appearance and was used to provide high-pressure water for aquatic scenes that were popular at the time.
The ornamental canopy is a replica of the original iron and glass structure, which was destroyed by a traffic accident in the 1960's.
The theatre flourished during the 20 years Signor Pepi ran it but following his death in November 1927, its future became uncertain. Competition from cinema became a real threat and a succession of different managers struggled to balance the books.
Indeed at one stage the theatre was equipped with a film projection box at the rear of the Upper Circle, this can be seen above the name on Borough Road side of the building. In 1966 Darlington Borough Council assumed full financial, administrative and artistic responsibility for the theatre on behalf of the town. The ‘New Hippodrome’ became officially known as Darlington Civic Theatre.
The Civic Theatre boasts its fair share of ghosts. Amongst them Signor Pepi (The first Managing Director), Jimmy the Flyman who haunts the areas above the stage. Gordon the old Stage Door keeper, Arabella who haunts dressing room 12, a ghost in the form of a young lady who stands in the stage left wings and watches rehearsals of Ballet or similar performances and by no means last a spirit of a little Pekinese dog, brought to the theatre in 1907 by Rino Pepi. This little dog has been seen running around the theatre in the past. It's remains were found entombed in a wall when the theatre was refurbished in the late 1970's
The area in which the cache is located is a HIGH Muggle area and you can be EASILY observed by any passing motorists and/or pedestrians so please be aware of this whilst you are seaching and replacing the cache.
This road outside the Theatre can be busy at times and for your own safety please use the crossings and stay within the safety barriers.
Please bring your own pen or pencil as there is not one in this cache.
THIS CACHE IS wheelchair accessible, but assistance WOULD BE required to retrive the final cache.
Parking Areas are shown as Waypoints below: