Monday 1st to Wednesday 3rd October

Darlington Hippodrome

The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company, accompanied by The National Festival Orchestra, bring three classic savoy Operas to Darlington Hippodrome in October. – Iolanthe, Ruddigore and The Pirates of Penzance.

IOLANTHE – Monday 1 October, 7.30pm

Iolanthe is the topsy-turvy love story about fairies and members of the House of Lords – a political fairy-tale that only Gilbert & Sullivan could conceive. Written 135 years ago, its satire is as pertinent today as it was then.

RUDDIGORE – Tuesday 2 October, 7.30pm

Robin Oakapple has been living as a farmer for years, working up the courage to ask the beautiful village maiden Rose Maybud for her hand, but he is hiding a secret – he is actually Sir Ruthven, the Baronet of Ruddigore, and has been hiding in disguise while his younger brother Despard assumed the title – and the curse.

THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE – Wednesday 3 October, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

This wonderfully jolly romp, complete with a brave-ish band of swashbuckling pirates, completely dotty Major General, his beautiful daughters and a bumbling bunch of hopeless but hilarious policemen has all the elements for a delightfully entertaining visit to the theatre.