Company's successful first year in new theatre

More than 100,000 people have attended productions at its 15m theatre in Ferensway, almost twice the number through the doors at its former base in Spring Street over the previous 12 months.

The company will celebrate the anniversary, which appropriately falls on Shakespeare's birthday, with a cake-cutting ceremony after the performance of its current production, Joe Orton's black comedy Loot.

Operations director Paul Marshall said: "The first year in our new home has been amazing.

"No one would have chosen to open a new theatre in the midst of the recent economic climate, but the support we have received from local people and businesses has been wonderful.

"This building was a long time in the planning and presented a huge opportunity for the company.

"Everybody at Hull Truck has grasped that opportunity with relish. We are very proud of all that we have achieved and look to build on this fantastic start."

In the past year the 440-seat theatre has staged 424 performances – including six world premieres – with 293 produced in house. The rest have been a mixture of visiting shows, including comedy, music and children's theatre.

It has also proved popular as a venue for events staged by other companies and organisations.

More than 100 of these have been held at the theatre, attended by more than 10,000 people.

Membership of Hull Truck Youth Theatre has gone up by 50 per cent to almost 300 members, the theatre said.

The building itself has won awards including a Brick Award for Best Public Building in Britain.