THE fuss and excitement of a “hullabaloo” seems the perfect way to describe a children’s theatre and family play space all rolled into one.

With finishing touches being added to the only specialist venue of its type outside London, Theatre Hullabaloo is primed to become a place for youngsters to play, learn and experience something new.

Attached to the newly refurbished Grade II-listed Darlington Hippodrome, the theatre fits in with its former Edwardian fire station façade, but every inch of its interior is contemporary.

Darlington’s primary school children decided what they wanted from the £1.5m Arts Council England-funded venue, catering specifically for young audiences – from babies to teenagers.

The Northern Echo exclusively toured the site, currently littered with chairs to be arranged and set pieces to be festooned, with Theatre Hullabaloo’s creative producer, Miranda Thain, explaining the important role of the next generation.

“We consulted with Darlington children and they wanted play to be a part of our theatre so we have a play space at its heart,” she said.

“It’s suitable for visitors of all ages – including grown-ups – and our first installation inside it will be an enchanted forest.

“It’s completely interactive and there’s also an outdoor space that can be used for story times and to carry play outside too – not many people expect it to be here.”

The stage is currently being set inside the impressive 150-seat theatre, with Bear and Butterfly set to become the venue’s curtain raiser on December 11.

Laura Case, Hullabaloo’s development director, said: “No matter where everyone is sat, they will get a good view and we wanted to make sure there wasn’t a gap between seating and the stage.

“We can also put mats down on the floor and depending on what we need the space for, we can move the seating completely from where it is now, so it’s adaptable and can go up to about 177 seats.”

She added: “We were formerly based at the Arts Centre where we would often consult with Darlington children, but unfortunately we didn’t have the facilities to put on the performances that children here wanted.

“Those shows would end up touring elsewhere, but now we have this entire theatre to work with, as well as a rehearsal space that can also be hired out by community groups who need it.

“We’re so excited to have our official opening soon.”