Hull Truck Theatre are presenting an exciting programme of work in May, kicking off with an adventure of global proportions! Around the World in 80 Days will be on the main stage from Thursday 4 – Saturday 20 May.
Based on the novel by Jules Verne, Director Hal Chambers will bring to life a dramatic story that experiences a thrilling journey to faraway lands; by boat, by train, by sledge and even by elephant, on an epic whirling adventure of wonder danger and romance! The show lands in Hull this May, following a successful run at Theatre by The Lake.
Audiences and critics have given the show rave reviews to date, including:
“An extraordinary adventure for adults and kids” ****
-The Guardian
“This is one of those productions whose pace, wit and imagination you just want to bottle.” – British Theatre Guide
Making a welcome live return, Grow Season (May – July) is set to take the Godber studio by storm this summer. Supporting artists and developing local talent, there’s a packed programme of new and contemporary performances, sharing workshops and networking opportunities available to everyone who wants to get involved.
Grow Season’s headliner Modest is the latest gig-theatre production by award-winning Hull company, Middle Child and Milk Presents. Taking to the theatre’s main stage from Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 May for its world premiere, this is a drag king-cabaret inspired play about Victorian superstar artist Elizabeth Thompson. Written by Ellen Brammar with music by Rachel Barnes and Directed by Luke Skilbeck and Paul Smith.
Grow Season includes inclusive work by racially diverse, working-class, access focused, and queer artists/ companies with the involvement of a broad age range of producing companies. You can buy tickets for three or more Grow Season shows and pay just £10 per ticket. More details online.
Adam Pownall, Senior Producer at Hull Truck Theatre, said:
“We are proud to present another season of Grow as well as some wonderful visiting company shows and collaborations this May. We look forward to welcoming a range of unique and varied productions to our venue where you can be inspired by new and exciting stories, celebrating hope, dreams and the enjoyment of live theatre at Hull Truck Theatre.”
Join a cast of two as Chronic Insanity presents 24, 23, 22 (Friday 5 May). Armed with handheld mics, and an on-stage beat-maker, this gig-theatre show will reverse the flow of time as they encourage you to live in the moment. “There’s something about today. Something’s gonna happen. I don’t know what it is, but everything feels a bit like it’s holding its breath.” This is an Audio Described performance.
Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me (Wednesday 10 May) is a twisted coming-of-age story blending pitch black humour and heartache by award winning playwright Philip Stokes (Heroin(e) for Breakfast). Presented by Lawrence Batley Theatre, KETCHUP & Richard Jordan, this is a story that explores family dynamics, who our idols are and just how hard life can be when you’re a little bit different.
Armed with a backpack full of Pop-Tarts and a hunger to tackle climate change, SHEWOLVES (Thursday 11 May) introduces Priya and Lou as they embark on a covert expedition into the wild. An uplifting coming-of-age comedy for teenagers and anyone who has ever been a teen, a funny and empowering play about forging friendships when you’re a bit weird, the power of hope and the underestimated smartness of teens.
Past Life (Friday 12 May) is a multi-sensory exploration that follows Kiera as she revisits her Past Life, a life she felt ready to feel again, a life she thought she missed. But can you reopen a wound without hurting yourself again? Past Life catapults through a dynamic story of Kiera’s life in a punchy, creatively accessible and energetic one person show expressing the coming to terms with loss. A harrowing story of what trauma looks like in the 21st century. This story is for everybody, made to feel like just another body.
Bethany Cooper Productions and Theatre503 present Tapped (Saturday 13 May): A witty and sensitive portrayal of managing mental health within a family, highlighting the barriers we put up, whilst having those all-important lightbulb moments, like realising Aldi really does sell everything. Dawn wants more from life, Jen wants a brand-new life and Gavi just wants Jen in his life; a heart warming comedy that explores the importance of connection, fulfilment and (lack of) hope.
Fanboy (Friday 26 May) is touring the UK following critically acclaimed runs at Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre. Fanboy is a love-hate letter to pop culture and nostalgia. Award-winning writer performer Joe Sellman-Leava (Fringe First, Labels) explores our relationship to our past and future selves and asks why his generation is so obsessed with its childhood. Directed by Yaz Al-Shaater.
Grow Season at Hull Truck Theatre will also include three FREE Workshops in May. These sessions invite audiences to experience something new, connecting to themes and performances from the Grow Season, as well as a chance to engage with local artists and other members of the creative community.
Workshops include Access and Creativity (Thursday 11 May) by Alice Christina Corrigan in connection with Past Life, Devising Queer Performance: Modest (Thursday 25 May) by Milk Presents in connection with Modest and How Can Pop-Culture Connect Us and Make Our Work More Joyful? (Friday 26 May) by Work Light Theatre in connection with Fanboy.
Hull Truck Theatre will present alongside Hull Independent Cinema the ground-breaking, tender and quietly radical film – Joyland (Wednesday 3 May). The Ranas are a deeply traditional, patriarchal family, hoping that their sons will have sons of their own to continue the family line. Youngest son Haider, already married to the smart and independent Mumtaz, secretly gets a job working for Biba, a trans woman who dances at an erotic theatre. The result is a love triangle that challenges rigid social constraints and forces the Rana family to confront its own values.
For audiences who prefer a mix of theatre and film, magic and fairy-tale characters are brought to life through ballet in the live screening of the Royal Ballet family favourite, Sleeping Beauty (Wednesday 24 May). Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s ravishing music and Oliver Messel’s sumptuous designs with this true gem from the classical ballet repertory.
For families and their adventures, Hull Truck Theatre’s Great Adventures will return during the summer half term holidays (Saturday 27 and Tuesday 30 May). This new themed adventure will take children and their families on a journey to experience and enjoy a modern twist on the classic story: The Three Little Pigs. Prior to the show, audiences will take part in an arts and crafts session where they will make items that will be used later to interact with the actors and each other throughout the show.
Josie Lena Davies, Community & Learning Associate at Hull Truck Theatre, said:
“This is going to be a slightly different version of the classic tale: our Three Little Pigs will be from three different lands and the story will follow how they move out of their houses to find a safer home. This version of the story will be about how they find a community and how that community might welcome them into a new place. Our Great Adventures encourages audiences to participle in art not just to observe. Theatre means that you never have to grow out of creative play, which is still a useful tool for learning, no matter what age you are.”
All Great Adventure shows on Saturday 27 and Tuesday 30 May will be the same story and themes. Age guidance: 3 – 6 years old.
Adults of any age can now join Thursday Theatre Club. The first Thursday of every month, Hull Truck Theatre will host a stimulating and thought-provoking practical theatre session. This monthly daytime session is designed to sharpen theatre skills and socialise with peers. Each month’s session will cover a different theatre topic ranging from performance techniques, approaches to theatre making, playwriting and specific influential theatre artist’s work.
Participants can join writer and academic Dr Sarah Jane Dickenson for a practical exploration of Chorus: an essential element of Ancient Greek Theatre. This session will explore how chorus was
used and how it may be used in contemporary theatre through a mixture of discussion and practical exploration. For more information about Hull Truck Theatre and to buy tickets, please visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk
