Hull Truck marks 50 years of pioneering local theatre
Fifty years of pioneering local theatre is being marked in 2022 as Hull Truck kicks off its golden anniversary celebrations. An exciting programme of work launching this month will include drama, comedy, music and family shows, as well as Hull Truck Theatre’s own season headliner, 71 Coltman Street. Curtain-raiser Oh!
What A Night, on Saturday, January 22, takes audiences back in time on a musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Click here for more Hull and East Yorkshire news Featuring songs such as Sherry, Let’s Hang On, Big Girl’s Don’t Cry, and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You this show has been rescheduled from 2020 and has only final tickets remaining.
For Blues fans, Bye Bye Blues Band – The Farewell Tour, on Wednesday, February 2, is followed two days later by The Ballad of Mulan, exploring the identity of one of the most revered women in China.
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From Thursday, February 17, the spotlight will be trained on the specially commissioned play, 71 Coltman Street. Inspired by the real-life story of the Hull Truck’s creation, the play, written by Richard Bean and directed by Mark Babych, tells the dramatized story of Hull Truck Theatre founder Mike Bradwell’s mission to revolutionise British theatre and put local people and real lives at its heart. In the play, Mike tells of his ambition to create work that is “sweaty, exciting, unpredictable…”, resulting in the birth of the Hull theatre company which has since gained a reputation for producing, programming and touring pioneering work with a uniquely Northern voice.
Mark Babych, artistic director at Hull Truck, said: “We’re phenomenally proud of Hull Truck’s story and its legacy as a theatre, which celebrates local people.
Mark Babych, artistic director, Hull Truck Theatre (Image: Andrew Billington Photography)
“Mike believed that theatre is for everyone and should showcase real-life experiences that audiences could connect with on a personal level, and it’s still very much the ethos of the company today.” On Saturday, February 19, it is the turn of The Noise Next Door: In Charge, featuring 12-time sell-out veterans of the Edinburgh Fringe, who have appeared on BBC One, ITV1, BBC Three and BBC Radio 4 and always astonish with their ability to spin audience suggestions into comedy gold. Here’s What She Said To Me, from Thursday, February 24, combines drama with music, poetry and movement to tell a moving story of daughters and mothers in the world of migrations and shifting identities, braving life with an undying hope, optimism and resilience.
Great Adventures is geared towards young audiences at Hull Truck and combines arts and crafts with interactive performance (Image: Chris Pepper)
Younger audiences are also being catered for during the golden season.
Great Adventures will continue to encourage children aged three to six and their families to get creative, with arts and crafts sessions followed by interactive performances where the children’s craft items are brought to life. Janthi Mills-Ward, executive director at Hull Truck, said: “We are delighted to be able to create a show for young children and their families. “We know that our younger audiences might not be ready for a full-length production, so are excited to be able to have an interactive offering for little ones to experience the magic of theatre.”
Meal One, based on a 1970s children’s book by Ivor Cutler and Helen Oxenbury, is set to be a favourite with families and opens on Saturday, January 22. An immersive and playful family show featuring Helbert, his mum, a dog and a cat, the story follows the planting of a plum stone in the bedroom floor that leads to the growth of the best tree-house-playground ever – but also a kitchen full of tree roots busily munching through anything edible they can find. For more information about any of the forthcoming shows, visit Hull Truck Theatre, 50 Ferensway, Hull, HU2 8LB, call 01482 323638 or visit www.hulltruck.co.uk
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