Two Tees Valley councils believe world dance festival is on the right tracks
One of the region’s longest running dance festivals has been given a wonderful vote of confidence by two of the region’s local authorities.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Darlington Borough Council have pledged their support behind a showcase event being created by the Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance (BIFF) and performed by dancers gathering in the region from around the globe.
One of the inspirations behind Departing at 18:25 is the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (1825-2025), and will also form the centre piece production for BIFF 2025 which just happens to be during the Festival’s 60th anniversary year.
BIFF has recently received a £30,000 Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant to help bring to life a series of events that will have people talking for years to come.
Departing at 18:25 is all about how people, young and old, make life choices and it doesn’t matter if that decision is made in Brazil or Billingham they all choose to board the train to explore their journey.
It also explores the philosophy that everyone should have the freedom to live, work and travel anywhere in the world.
The two-hour showcase will bring to the stage drama, dance, live music, roller-skating and visual art all being delivered by over 100 characters from countries including Mexico, Colombia and the UK with lots more to be confirmed.
Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Leisure and Culture, said: “BIFF has been a family favourite in Billingham for almost six decades and I’m delighted that it will return for its 60th birthday next year.
“Celebrating all aspects of global culture and heritage, the 2025 event will be even more special as festivities to mark the 200-year anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway will form part of the festival.
“The birth of the railways became a significant part of local heritage which changed industry, history and travel forever. As we countdown to the bicentenary I would encourage everyone to enjoy ‘Departing at 18:25’ at The Georgian in November, where the story of the railways will be brought to life on stage.”
Cllr Libby McCollom, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Local Services, said:
“We are always delighted to welcome performers from BIFF when they visit Darlington as part of the festival, and it’s great news that we will be part of the birthday celebrations which link in with the very special 200th Anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.”
People don’t have to wait until August 2025 to experience elements of Departing at 18:25 as there will be two 70-minute full length taster shows being performed this November in Stockton and Darlington.
The performance will explore the UK elements of the journey using traditional Irish and African styled dancers and musicians, Tango artistes, roller-skaters, a Scottish actor and a visual artist.
They will explore the following themes including the creation of the Locomotion and the first passenger train that travelled along the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825; a love story staged during the First World War (1910-1913); a heartfelt story reenacted during the Windrush generation (1953); and finishing with passengers travelling by train to Billingham for the 60th anniversary festival in 2025.
The two shows will be staged on Friday 29th November at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton-on-Tees (7.30 pm) and Saturday 30th November at Theatre Hullabaloo, Darlington (8.00 pm).
All seats are priced at £10. Tickets can be purchased directly from the BIFF What’s On box office (Stockton show) and from Theatre Hullabaloo (via the Hippodrome Theatre Box Office).
Olga Maloney, Artistic Director of Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance, said:
“We couldn’t have made it to the impressive age of sixty without the love and support of our loyal festival audiences and our community partners.
“BIFF 2025 promises to be the party of all parties and deliver a wonderful selection of world dance, live music, workshops and visual art. Departing at 18:25 will be our spectacular centrepiece and anything that combines international dance with roller-skating is well worth a watch.
“We can’t wait to give the people of Tees Valley a special sneak preview in November, a full nine-months ahead of the performance being staged as part of the Festival celebrations.”
BIFF can’t wait to welcome audiences aboard the train to start their own personal journeys.