Darlington Civic Theatre first opened its doors on Monday 2 September 1907 as the New Hippodrome & Palace of Varieties under the leadership of Managing Director Signor Rino Pepi, an internationally renowned ‘protean’ or quick change artist. To read an article on our history by local historian and Northern Echo feature writer Chris Lloyd visit https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/about-us/history/our-history-curtain-up/