Railway Anniversary spectacular
THE 200 th anniversary of the birth of the railway is underway in the town where the Stockton and
Darlington Railway was born in 1825.
The S&DR200 festival, however, will launch with All Change, a spectacular open-air event in
Bishop Auckland combining dazzling projections, drones and up to 100 live performers bringing
history to life, on Saturday 29 March 2025.
The nine-month S&DR200 international festival, running from March to November 2025 across
County Durham and the Tees Valley, is inspired by the first journey on the Stockton and Darlington
Railway in the north east of England, which gave birth to the modern railway.
S&DR200 is being delivered by Darlington Borough Council, Durham County Council and
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. The festival offers something for everyone, with highlights
throughout the year including a recreation of the first journey on the S&DR with a newly
commissioned replica Locomotion No. 1, free large-scale outdoor events, exhibitions focusing on the
history of railways and bringing together paintings of national significance, botanical and senso
installations, iconic locomotives, and newly commissioned artworks showcased in public spaces,
libraries, and world-class museums.
Marking the official start of S&DR200, All Change is an unmissable show in Bishop Auckland at the
home of Kynren. The event will speed through 200 years of railway history and major historical
moments, from the Industrial Revolution, two World Wars to Page 1 of 5 the present, celebrating
the transformative power of trains on the landscape and our lives.
Inspired by conversations with local historians, the spectacle will bring history to life with large-
scale set pieces, projection mapping, original music and drones. The show will feature up to 100
performers from the local community, made up of the same team of dedicated local trained
volunteers.
All Change is created by award-winning performance company imitating the dog, whose piece
Arrivals & Departures was part of the opening events for Hull’s year as City of Culture, and
Movement Directors Rocky Norton and Katie Pearson, who both contributed to the grand spectacles
of all four ceremonies at the Summer Olympics in London 2012.
All Change will feature a fleet of 400 drones from world-renown SKYMAGIC, promising a
breathtaking visual experience set against the night sky. As pioneers behind the stunning drone and
light displays at iconic events like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Coachella, and London’s New Year’s
celebrations, SKYMAGIC will choreograph an aerial ensemble that weaves into the performance
below.
The 25-minute show, which will take place for one night only, is suitable for all ages. Festival
Director, Niccy Hallifax, says: “It must have been magical 200 years ago to witness the first journey
on the Stockton and Darlington Railway. With All Change, we intend to recapture that sense of
wonder, bringing people together from all corners of the region and further afield for an awe-
inspiring event.
“I hope we can create unforgettable memory for people of all ages, offering them an exciting
glimpse of the region’s fascinating heritage while sparking further creativity and ideas over the years
that follow.
“The artists we have brought together for this one-off show really are the best in their fields”
Director, Simon Wainwright, says: “We’ve been so inspired by the incredible story of Locomotion
No. 1 and the changes it brought about, from that fir short journey to the massive impact it had
across the world.
“Our performance for the opening event explores how train travel opened up the possibilities for
ordinary people to travel and to witness world events. All Change will take audiences on a journey, a
whistlestop tour through 200 years of history, and will be told through a combination of our
trademark storytelling techniques of digital projection, live performance and a newly composed
soundscape.”
On their involvement in the project, SKYMAGIC Co-Founder & Chief Creative Office Patrick
O’Mahony, says: “SKYMAGIC are delighted to bring our world-famous drone light show to S&DR200.
27 September 2025 marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Stockton and Darlington
Railway. The 26-mile journey on the S&DR between Shildon and Stockton via Darlington on 27
September 1825 transformed how the world traded, travelled, and communicated.
The S&DR200 festival will celebrate the region’s pioneering past and look forward to its future
with a series of large-scale outdoor events, exhibitions and new art commissions in its public spaces,
libraries, and world-class museums, including Preston Park Museum & Grounds, Locomotion,
Hopetown and The Story.
The first of the exhibitions will be Railway Pioneers at Hopetown in April.
Please find the latest programme listings online: www.sdr200.co.uk
Listings information:
All Change
29 March 2025
Doors open 16:30, pre-show starts at 18.00, show 18.30
Flatts Farm, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7SF
Suitable for all ages
Tickets cost £5 per person and £5 park and ride per car
Available to purchase at Opening Spectacle: All Change – Stockton and Darlington Railway from
Monday 10th February 2025.
Please note tickets are limited.
