Miriam Margolyes among celebrities visiting Darlington this year

The venue, one of the North East’s longest-running theatres, has built a reputation in recent years for pulling in big-name talent alongside its regular programme of touring musicals and local productions.

This year’s line-up spans comedy, music, and stage royalty, offering something for audiences of all ages right through to the new year.

Miriam Margolyes

Harry Potter and Blackadder star Miriam Margolyes will bring her live show, Miriam’s Full English LIVE, to the venue on Wednesday, November 18.

Known for her outspoken wit as much as her decades-long acting career, Margolyes has built a huge following through her recent travel documentaries and candid chat show appearances, making her one of the biggest individual draws on this year’s Hippodrome calendar.

The Harry Potter star is coming to the North East (Image: James Manning / PA)

Chris Ramsey

North East comedian Chris Ramsey performs his Here Man! show over two nights on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22.

Ramsey, who has strong regional ties and a loyal fanbase from Sunderland and across the North East, is one of the highest-profile home-grown names on the bill this year, having built his profile through his podcast ‘S*****d Married Annoyed’ with his wife Rosie.

Chris Ramsey is from South Shields (Image: Contributed)

Harry Enfield

Comedy legend Harry Enfield brings his stage show Harry Enfield and No Chums to Darlington on Wednesday, November 11.

The comedian, famous for decades of sketch characters including Kevin the Teenager and Tim Nice But Dim, is expected to draw audiences from across generations who grew up on his television work.

(Image: Southend Theatres)

Paul Potts

Britain’s Got Talent’s first-ever winner, Paul Potts, stars in Opera Boys on Friday, October 23.

Potts shot to fame in 2007 after his audition performance went viral worldwide, and he has toured internationally as an opera singer ever since.

Ore Oduba

Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba headlines The Vintage Boys on Saturday, October 24.

Oduba, who won Strictly in 2016, has built a career across TV presenting and musical theatre, and brings his singing talents to Darlington as part of this vintage-themed show.

Sir Derek Jacobi

Acting royalty also features on the bill, with veteran actor Sir Derek Jacobi appearing in conversation with Richard Clifford on Sunday, November 15.

Jacobi, celebrated for his stage work and screen roles including I, Claudius and Gladiator, offers Darlington audiences a rare chance to hear directly from one of British theatre’s most respected performers.

He will be in town in November time (Image: Clive Conway Productions)

Matt Baker

The celebrity additions come ahead of the Hippodrome’s biggest seasonal draw: North East favourite Matt Baker, who will lead the cast of this year’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, playing Jack from Friday, December 11, through to Sunday, January 3, 2027.

Baker, who grew up in County Durham and became a household name presenting The One Show and Countryfile, will be joined by returning Darlington panto favourites Josh Benson as Silly Billy and Jamie Jones as Mrs Potty.

Oh yes, he is in Darlo! (Image: Supplied)

Looking ahead

Just outside the current calendar year, Winterwatch presenter and Strictly winner Hamza Yassin is booked for January 12 next year.

This will give Darlington audiences even more reason to keep an eye on the Hippodrome’s expanding celebrity line-up.