Heading for Broadway but happy to be back in Hull

Performances in Cooking with Elvis (2003 and 2005), Bouncers (2003), A Kick in the Baubles (2005) and brilliantly in Up On Roof (2006), confirmed him as one of the big draws.

He drew admiring reviews for performances that were both muscular and brilliantly comedic.

And then he disappeared.

"Aye, I've been away for a while," says the native Geordie in his distinctive tones.

"It's really great to be back. Hull's like a second home to me now."

Connel has been away from the stage of Hull Truck by choice, having been working as a cast member of The National Theatre's huge hit The Pitmen Painters.

The Newcastle-set play, from the writer of Billy Elliott, tells the true story of a group of miners who took art classes and ended

up producing work which was highly praised in London galleries.

The show opened at Live Theatre in Newcastle, but Connel had a good feeling immediately about the play.

"The writing was fantastic, but it was so specific to the region. We knew it would play well at home, but we didn't know how it would travel."

The answer was, brilliantly.

It was staged at the National Theatre, and then toured the country and, in September, it will tour to Broadway in New York.

Connel still sounds bemused when he says: "A story about a group of miners from Ashington playing in New York. Who'd have thought it?"

For now though, Connel is happy to be back in Hull at the new Hull Truck Theatre where he is currently appearing in Joe Orton's Loot.

The play is set on the day of Mrs McLeavy's funeral and, with the coffin in the front room, Hal decides to swap his mum's body

with the loot that he and his mate Dennis have stolen from the bank.

They lock her body in the cupboard and stash the money in the coffin. A take on farce, Orton's controversial play tackles several taboos.

While Connel is delighted to be performing in the show, it is coming back to Hull that is perhaps the most attractive aspect of the role.

"As an actor you move around so much and find yourself trying to get to know a new place.

"Because I've worked here so much it's like a home from home. I know where all the best chippys and pubs are, so I've got all the important things sorted."

Loot, Hull Truck, to May 8.