Hull Truck Theatre’s 50th anniversary line-up
As this celebrated theatre company looks back on an outstanding half century, the curtains come up on Thursday, February 22 to March 12, for 71 Coltman Street, a riotous new comedy from the pen of the One Man, Two Guvnors playwright.
Packed with Richard’s Beans trademark humour, grit and passion, coupled with original songs by Richard Thomas (Jerry Springer the Opera), the cast list includes a mix of new and familiar faces.
The headline production charts the origins of Hull Truck Theatre, the spirit of the founders and the ideals and ideas that drove them, celebrating past, present and future. It’s a must for anyone who loves live theatre, and Hull Truck.
Among the stars are Kieran Knowles, star of both the Royal Shakespeare Company and Broadway, popular Adrian Hood (Norman in Dinnerladies), and Jordan Metcalfe, another Hull Truck returnee.Both Adrian Hood and Jordan Metcalfe were part of the sell out production of The Hypocrite (Hull Truck Theatre, Royal Shakespeare and Hull UK City of Culture 2017).
Tickets are available here.
Celebrating 50 great years
To celebrate a fascinating journey from radical roots to innovative regional theatre with a distinctly northern voice, Hull Truck Theatre has an exciting year ahead, with world premieres from Richard Bean, John Godber OBE, Amanda Whittington, Sam Caseley and Lydia Marchant underline the theatre’s reputation for discovering diverse new voices, nurturing homegrown talent and putting the stories of its home city centre stage.
There’s also firm family favourites, international pop stars and Broadway hits, making it a year to remember. Some of the stand out events include:
Teachers Leavers ‘22’
Making his return to Hull Truck having been at the helm for more than 25 years, former artistic director, John Godber OBE will reimagine his critically acclaimed play ‘Teechers’, originally performed in 1987, presenting ‘Teechers Leavers ‘22’ from 19 May – 11 June 2022, to be directed by Mark Babych.
Not dissimilar to the present day, in 1987 the teaching of drama in comprehensive education was being marginalised in a system under pressure. In the same year Hull Truck Theatre produced ‘Teechers’, which became the go-to play to attract young people to the theatre. Thirty-five years later, exam chaos, tech poverty, isolation, absenteeism and lost school hours have put the state system under more pressure than ever before. Now back for 2022, this highly physical, hugely funny and deceptively radical play will entertain both fans of the classic and newcomers.
A Midsummer Night's Dream – Hull style
Keeping local people at the heart of the programme, a Hull Truck Theatre production of ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ will pair Shakespeare’s rich and beautiful language with Hull’s vibrant and creative communities. Taking place from 2 – 9 July 2022, local people will swap the seats for the stage in this truly unique version of the romantic comedy masterpiece which celebrates the messy business of love and directed by Hull Truck Theatre Associate Director, Tom Saunders.
Female voices, with Ladies Unleashed
Hull Truck Theatre is committed to showcasing contemporary northern female voices, starting with world premiere of ‘Ladies Unleashed’ by Amanda Whittington from 29 September - 22 October 2022. Following the smash-hits ‘Ladies Day’ and ‘Ladies Down Under’, this is the third instalment of the ‘Ladies’ trilogy which explores themes of friendship and belonging, particularly resonant in a post-pandemic world.
Festive favourites
Family favourite ‘A Christmas Carol’, adapted by Deborah McAndrew, with its themes of past, present and future, seems a perfect choice for the 2022 festive season, as well as ‘Jack, Mum & The Beanstalk’ – a new commission by Sam Caseley, which will see a contemporary take on the popular tale for young children.
The grand finale
The 50th anniversary programme will be rounded off with an exciting, fresh new talent as Hull-born playwright Lydia Marchant is set to make her debut with her first full-scale work ‘Mumsy’, showing from 2 – 25 March 2023. Sophie is going to be a third generation single Mum and she’s terrified. How will she afford to feed them both? Can she hold on to her job? Surely, she can count on her own Mum and Nan to help…
For fans of ‘A Taste of Honey’ and ‘Motherland’, this warm comedy has been developed as part of Hull Truck Theatre’s Grow Artist Development programme. Lydia Marchant is an Affiliate Artist of the theatre and ‘Mumsy’ was presented as part of First Time Out at the theatre’s Grow Festival 2019.
The year will also feature a vibrant programme of visiting work, working with partners and presenting a diverse mix of comedy, music, family entertainment, circus and more.*
Mark Babych, artistic director at Hull Truck Theatre comments: “Hull Truck Theatre has a proud tradition of work that is uniquely characterised by its individual and uniquely northern voice and we are proud to present a programme that shouts our city’s stories from the rooftops.
“50 years is an incredible milestone to have reached, and it feels like the perfect occasion to reflect on the past and finally tell the theatre’s origin story, while also showcasing our vision for the future via Hull’s phenomenal new talent. This exciting programme of work recognises our rich history not just by recreating it, but creatively reinterpreting it for 2022, alongside projects that reflect our present and give a glimpse into our future.”
Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director at Hull Truck Theatre, adds: “We are so excited to announce our 50th anniversary programme which has Hull absolutely at its heart and soul. 50 years down the line, our commitment to the community is stronger than ever. Our creative learning work will be centre stage in the main theatre and will see local people take part in a new production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, celebrating the talent across our region. After such a difficult couple of years, we’re delighted that we can bring the people of Hull and beyond a year of joy and laughter with funny, heart-warming stories that create that unmissable feeling of live theatre.”
The full programme can be viewed at https://www.hulltruck.co.uk and tickets for all productions are on sale now by visiting the website or calling the Box Office on 01482 323638.
*Hull Truck Theatre 2022 visiting programme
February 2022
Saturday 19 – The Noise Next Door, 8pm
Thursday 24 / Friday 25 – Here’s What She Said To Me, 8pm
March 2022
Wednesday 2 / Thursday 3 – You Heard Me, 8pm
Saturday 5 – Great Adventures, 10am & 11.30am
Friday 11 / Saturday 12 – Jane Hair: The Brontës Restyled, 8pm
Sunday 13 - The Billy Joel Albums Show, 7.30pm
Wednesday 16 – Kiri Pritchard-McClean, 8pm
Thursday 17 – Eric & Ern, 7.30pm
Thursday 17 / Friday 18 – The Invisible Man, 8pm
Friday 18 – Simon Brodkin, 7.30pm
Saturday 19 – Fireman Sam, 1pm
Wednesday 23 – Comedy Graduates Performance, 7pm
Wednesday 30 – Saturday 2 April – Rent, multiple times
April 2022
Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 - Private Peaceful, multiple times
Friday 8 – Adam Rowe, 8pm
Wednesday 13 – Saturday 16 – Singin' In The Rain, 2.30pm & 7.30pm
Thursday 14 – Saturday 16 – Far Gone, 8pm
Wednesday 20 – Ian Waite & Vincent Simone: Act Two, 7.30pm
Thursday 21 - John Shuttleworth, 7.30pm
Friday 22 – Morgan & West Unbelievable Science, 2pm
Friday 22 – Bumper Blyton, 7.30pm
Saturday 23 – Rich Hall, 7.30pm
Tuesday 26 – The Paradis Files, 7.30pm
Thursday 28 – Saturday 30 – The Three Musketeers, multiple times
Friday 29 – Riot Act, 8pm
Saturday 30 – Great Adventures, 10am & 11.30am
May 2022
Friday 6 – Bob Dylan Story, 7.30pm
Saturday 7 – Flo & Joan, 7.30pm
Saturday 28 – Dirty Tattooed, 8pm
Saturday 28 – The Circus Sonas Family Show, 2pm
June 2022
Thursday 16 – Sound of Springsteen, 7.30pm
Friday 17 – Rave On, 7.30pm
Saturday 18 – Family Open Day, 10am - 4pm
Saturday 18 - Showstopper! 7.30pm
July 2022
Tuesday 12 – Filament Theatre: Earth Makes No Sound, 7.30pm
Thursday 14 – Alina Bzhezhinska Hip Harp Quintet, 7.30pm
Friday 15 – Late Night Marauders in Concert, 8.30pm
Friday 15 – Matt Holborn Quartet: Here, 7pm
Saturday 16 – Camille Maalawy with Tom Lawrence, 2pm
Saturday 16 – Vulliamy Murray Bennett Trio, 3.30pm
Saturday 16 – Don Vappie & Jazz Creole, 8pm
Saturday 16 – James Rushworth, 5pm