Previous Festivals
Takeoff began in 1987 as an ASSITEJ event and was held at Riverside Studios in London until 1991.
Since 1994 Takeoff has been organized by CTC and hosted each year by a different town in the North East of England.
Hartlepool (1994)
Barrow in Furness (1995)
Darlington (1996)
Sunderland (1997)
Barrow in Furness (1998)
Darlington (1999)
Derwentside (2000)
England's only annual celebration of professional theatre for children and young people was organised by CTC and hosted by Derwentside District Council. Their greatly expanded programme of 17 shows was be seen in theatre venues in Consett and Stanley and in schools across the district.
Stockton on Tees (2001)
March 2001 in England - cold winds and rain. Then there was a sudden change in the cultural weather. A radical new funding system and loads more money was promised. Several companies making theatre for children benefited. The best regarded and best funded companies in the UK were put together the programme for this year.
Durham City (2002)
18 shows to celebrate the rich variety of theatre for children in the UK.
South Shields (2003)
This was the tenth Takeoff Festival of professional theatre for children and young people, which was held at The Customs House, South Shields, at the mouth of the River Tyne where coal, trade and ideas have flowed in and out since the Romans ruled.
Darlington (2004)
Takeoff 2004 brought you examples of theatre partnerships across Europe and the world. UK theatres for young people are increasingly popular around the world. Most of the talented companies who presented plays have toured many countries and enjoy sharing skills and ideas with professional colleagues overseas. Tselane's Song was the fruit of a collaboration linking Action Transport Theatre in Cheshire with Vulavulani Theatre in Soweto, South Africa.
Stockton on Tees (2005)
Stockton offered a selective programme aimed at encouraging teachers to make the most of theatre experiences. Each age range was featured in a one-day programme of plays and discussions for teachers.
Gateshead (2006)
Takeoff celebrated the wealth of styles and themes created by professional theatre companies worldwide. This year they emphasised the importance of innovation and excellence in children's earliest experiences of live performance - with dance and music from India, and storytelling theatre from Italy, France and the UK. Puppets, masks, household objects and even vegetables played their part in delighting young audiences.
Darlington (2007)
Plays for teenagers were in the spotlight this year but the task was the same whether the people in your audience are 9 months old, 9 or 19. How to make the best, manage it better, and deliver it effectively. Young people need theatre to help them understand an increasingly complicated world, which offers more choices any previous generation has faced.
Download the Festival Programme
From 2008 to 2010 it is anticipated that Takeoff will be resident at Darlington Arts Centre.
