Search
Close this search box.
We use cookies to deliver the best experience on our website. By using our website, you agree to use of cookies.  Learn more.

Hull Truck announce new shows to kick off 2023

Enter the new year with Hull Truck Theatre and enjoy their new season productions!

Hull Truck Theatre are excited to be kicking off 2023 with their focus on the future with Mumsy, epic adventures in Around The World In 80 Days and some home truths with The Houses Are Sinking (And The Adults Don’t Care).

Expect exciting projects with a variety of co-producing partners both nationally and internationally, alongside some great music and comedy shows, shows for all the family and a diverse program of contemporary work in the Godber Studio to keep audiences entertained as we move through the winter and into the much-awaited Summer months.

Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director at Hull Truck Theatre: “We are proud of what we have achieved over the last 50 years at Hull Truck Theatre, it’s been an exciting anniversary year which is not over yet. We look forward to our two Festive productions, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Jack, Mum & The Beanstalk’, where both shows will focus on the importance of family and community.

“We also turn our focus to the future with the world premiere of Hull playwright Lydia Marchant’s brand-new play ‘Mumsy’, which will complete our 50th year exploring the highs and lows of mother-daughter relationships in a highly entertaining and moving comedy.”

Mumsy (Thursday 2nd – Saturday 25th March), will wrap up the 50th anniversary celebrations at Hull Truck Theatre and what better way to go out with a bang then by showcasing one of Hull’s most exciting new artistic voices.

Developed through the theatre’s Grow artist development program, Mumsy will be a world premiere of Hull playwright Lydia Marchant’s brand-new comedy. Kicking off Hull Truck Theatre’s in-house productions, this funny, authentic new play shines a light on three generations of women as they push at their circumstances (and sometimes each other) to let their dreams soar.

For fans of A Taste of Honey and Motherland, this warm comedy will celebrate new writing, female voices and continue to champion people from the city of Hull.

Character Rachel might not want to change nappies but that doesn’t mean you can’t! Hull Truck Theatre introduces their second Baby Friendly performance, this time for Mumsy (Fri 10 & Fri 24 Mar 2023, 11am). These performances are aimed at adults with babies under 18 months, making sure that your visit is warm, welcoming and hassle-free as possible.

In co-production with Theatre By The Lake, Hull Truck Theatre are also inviting locals to transport back to the most exciting age of invention in the playful theatrical extravaganza with Around The World In 80 Days (Thursday 4th – Saturday 20th May).

Based on the novel by Jules Verne, Director Hal Chambers will bring to life a 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! Join the ultimate race against the clock in a bold new production of this much-loved classic tale.

Get Inspired for change by Hull-based playwright and poet Josh Overton with The Houses Are Sinking (And The Adults Don’t Care) (Thursday 30th March – Saturday 1st April).

Based on the opinions, ideas, and voices of the Young Creators Group – talented theatre makers aged 14-18 at Hull Truck Theatre, this bold, thought -provoking and contemporary theatre will ask ‘why we are planning for the future when the future isn’t going to be there?’

Trapped in a place where the future is uncertain and the present is bleak, how do the young stay optimistic? Join Nora and Donnie on their quest to uncover the town’s biggest secret. Why our town? Why us?

Josh Overton, Playwright:

“Super psyched to be working with Hull Truck again, making a show with a gang of funny, creative and talented young people inspired by their ideas. It’s a privilege to create work that speaks to young people’s concerns in a world that’s abandoning them more and more and I’m proud of the funny, weird and emotional play that we’ve built together.”

Tortoise And The Hare (Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th February), will bring fun and games to young children age 4+ as they follow the story of these two best friends, whilst Hull Truck Theatre’s popular Great Adventures (Saturday 27th & Tuesday 30th May) continues to encourage children aged 3-6 and their families to get creative. Take on pirates. Explore the jungle. Journey across the desert.

Both Tortoise And The Hare and Great Adventures will feature an arts and crafts session followed by an interactive performance where the children’s craft items come to life as part of the interactive play.

Both experiences will offer a wonderful first theatre experience for young children. Twirlywoos(Thursday 13th – Sunday 16th April), with beautifully inventive puppetry and Fireman Sam (Saturday 22nd July) with more adventures in Pontypandy, both promise afternoons of colourful fun and laughter.

Riksteatern and Matthew Linley Creative Projects will present in association with Hull Truck Theatre the funny new play by Anders Lustgarten: The City and The Town (Friday 10th – Saturday 11th February). This uniquely political piece of theatre will bring a fresh perspective to some of the political divides and problems facing our country today.

Dritero Kasapi, Artistic Director, Riksteatern (Sweden):

“Having brought Nina a story about me and Nina Simone to Hull Truck I am delighted to be returning, but this time to open Anders Lustgarten’s brilliant new play THE CITY AND THE TOWN. I’m excited that Hull audiences will be the first to see this new work ahead of its UK and Swedish tour and am really looking forward to sharing it with you all”

Oh! What A Night (Saturday 14th January) starts our season of visiting companies where there are plenty of opportunities to let the music play. For one night only, you can be taken back in time on a musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Featured songs include: Sherry, Let’s Hang On, Big Girl’s Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You!

Continue to experience vibrant and authentic music and dance in January with Art of Believing (Friday 27th January), which promises to be a truly memorable performance, bringing a taste of pure Flamenco and outstanding musicianship to Hull Truck Theatre.

The Time of Our Lives (Thursday 2nd February) invites you to come dressed up as your favourite 80’s character to sing along to an 80’s whirlwind of classic movies and timeless soundtracks! From Dirty Dancing to Top Gun, all the hits are here from your favourite 80s blockbuster movies.

Stand-up comedy to comedy dramas, this season has it all and February has something for everyone to laugh at, starting off the month with four hilarious evenings of entertainment!

Lloyd Griffith: One Tonne Of fun (Wednesday 1st February) starts 2023 with his biggest tour to date, and The Noise Next Door: Hometown Heroes (Wednesday 8th February) returns to spin comedy gold out of all the things that YOU, the live audience, think is the best, worst and downright weirdest things about your hometown.

Comedian Richard Stott also returns home to Hull, bringing his new comedy show Afterparty (Saturday 11th February). Packed full of embarrassing anecdotes and acerbic one liners, learn how to be an adult when things haven’t gone to plan, stripping off for a documentary, dating with a disability and an axe fight…all in one blistering hour!

Ladies That Dig (Wednesday 15th February) will lead the audience to discover what it means to grow…Collected from real local interviews this moving comedy-drama is a fertile blend of live music, comedy and true tales.

Blow Down (Friday 24th February) is a funny and poignant play based on stories collected from the local community. Marking the recent demolition of the iconic cooling towers at Ferrybridge Power Station, this hilarious, gritty and thought-provoking piece comes from the words of those who lived and worked beneath them.

Have you ever fancied trying your hand at Stand-up comedy? Ever watched a comedy performance and thought you would like to give it a go…now you can. In their final week of Hull Truck Theatre’s Introduction to Stand-Up Comedy course with comedian Kevin Precious, the graduates embark on their first 5-minute sets. Support them in their Comedy Graduate’s Performance (Wednesday 8th March).

If spoken word and dance is more your cup of tea…I’m Muslamic Don’t Panik! (Thursday 9th February) combines live music, dance and storytelling as Bobak Champion draws on his identity as a Bristolian, Iranian, Yorkshireman, and Hip-Hop head. Unearthing hidden truths and challenging stereotypes about this conservative yet thriving part of the world.

From Hip Hop to the Lindy Hop, take a step back into the 1920’s with Swinging at The Cotton Club(Thursday 16th February), featuring the Lindy Hop Dance Company and their orchestra, the show celebrates spectacular music and dance, promising a hot night out.

Expect more exhilarating Swing from award winning Jazz vocalist and band members, The Clare Teal Four (Saturday 18th February) with a fabulous new show that celebrates hits from the Great American and British Songbooks.

Also performing your favourite Jazz standards, James Hudson (Friday 3rd March), born and bred in East Yorkshire, is a rising star on the UK jazz scene, and so is not to be missed!

Additionally, Tom Dale Company will present a double bill of immersive dance performance with Sub:Version and Surge (Tuesday 18thApril). Presented with Absolutely Cultured, Surge gives life to a future human between the digital and the organic worlds, while Sub:Version explores a hypnotic journey through an array of electronic music.

March and April present famous plays and new recommendations starting with The Island (Saturday 4th March). This rich, boisterous funny moving piece of theatre is a hymn to the human spirit and a cry for freedom everywhere.

The Multi-award-winning, sold-out Fringe sensation Coming Out of My Cage (And I Am Doing Just Fine) (Thursday 23rd March) is an interactive investigation with karaoke, lip-syncing and absolute bangers that attempts to uncover stories of incredible people – all united by one song; ‘Mr Brightside’.

Megson (Thursday 13th April), create a truly unique brand of folk music, presenting a collaboration between Megson (winners of the Spiral Earth Awards), and playwright Kieran Knowles (Operation Crucible, Chicken Soup).

Too Much World at Once (Friday 21st – Saturday 22nd April) is a new play by Billie Collins and an urgent coming of age story for our times.

Dirty Corset (Friday 28 thApril) is about desire, the struggle for freedom and queer love. Set in Yorkshire in 1687, join a company of flea-bitten actors as they try and fail to live up a to their on-stage personas.

Loose yourself in musicals and tap your feet as Hull Truck Theatre presents a variety of musicals and musical shows! Footloose (Wednesday 5th – Saturday 8th April), brought to you by the Northern Academy of Performing Arts, this iconic musical, based on the 1984 movie will have you rockin’ out to it’s contagious Oscar and Tony-nominated score, packed full of 80’s hits.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (Friday 21st April) returns to Hull for another truly unique evening of smash hit musical comedy, where audience suggestions are transformed on the spot into all-singing, all dancing productions with hilarious results.

One Off Productions return to Hull Truck Theatre with the smash hit Spamalot (Tuesday 11th – Saturday 15th July). This award-winning musical based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a genuinely funny, laugh out loud production not to be missed.

Rock For Heroes (Friday 21st July) asks ‘where were you when Bon Jovi was Livin’ on a Prayer? Or when Prince was drenched in Purple Rain? Featuring over 20 classic rock songs this will be the night out that you’ve been waiting for.

You asked for more and Hull Truck Theatre intends to deliver! Simon Brodkin: Screwed Up (Saturday 22nd April) presents the return of world-famous prankster and Lee Nelson creator Simon Brodkin with an outrageous new stand-up show.

The iconic and original Bouncers (Tuesday 25th – Saturday 29th April) is also back in town! In John Godber’soutrageous parody of Saturday Night Fever, relive a night in a Yorkshire disco set in the 80’s. Originally premiering at the Edinburgh Festival in 1977, Bouncers is still one of the most performed plays in the UK today. Don’t miss this classic comedy and northern favourite.

The month of May will bring exciting collaborations and co-productions to Hull Truck Theatre. Modest (May – dates TBC), is a collaboration between Hull-based A Middle child and queer led Milk Presents, two award-winning companies.

Music Hall, theatre and drag king cabaret erupts as Modest brings you Elizabeth Thompson – megastar of the Victorian art scene. Northern Broadsides revive their hit regency comedy and New Vic Theatre co-production of Quality Street (Wednesday 31st May – Saturday 3rd June). With a good helping of Yorkshire wit this delicious farce returns with a mixture of Bridgerton meets Inside the factory.

Variety will be on offer in June and July as Hull Truck Theatre invites you to enjoy the summer with them. Sully (Tuesday 6th – Saturday 10th June) tells the unique sand touching story of how Clive Sullivan MBE, a Welshman, came to be the first black person to captain Great Britain in any sport and led them to World Cup Glory.

The Gods The God The Gods (Thursday 29th June) presents 4 stories; 12 tracks; 3 performers; in this perfect piece of gig-theatre that will take you on a euphoric journey of intimacy, death and faith.

Justin Moorehouse (Friday 30th June) is back! Still funny but middle aged, Justin returns with a brand-new show that may contain: Labradoodles. Come, it’ll be fun.

Meanwhile, Kevin Precious provides a funny overview of the pitfalls and pratfalls of his former profession in The Reluctant Teacher (Thursday 13th July). Look out for this second top circuit act, making it a lovely double bill of Edinburgh-bound shows.

The Very Best of Tommy Cooper (Wednesday 26th July) will recapture one of the UK’s most loved comedians. The show will include many of Cooper’s beloved one-liners, dazzling wordplay, and celebrated tricks.

Family Open Day returns (Saturday 17th June), to once again invite audiences to join Hull Truck Theatre and the Albemarle Music Centre for a fun-filled event.

Youth Theatre Takeover Week (Tuesday 14th – Saturday 18th March) will see 7-18-year-olds from across the city and region take to the stage to entertain, inspire and challenge you. 2023 will also see a refreshed and renewed Grow, Hull Truck Theatre’s artist development programme.

Hull Truck Theatre is proud to screen some of the best art and independent cinema from around the world. In 2023 theatre will present the following: NT Live: The Crucible (Thursday 26th January); Royal Opera House: The Barber of Seville (Wednesday 15th February); NT Live: Othello (Thursday 23rd February); Silent Cinema (Wednesday 22nd March); Royal Ballet: Cinderella (Wednesday 12th April); Royal Opera House: The Marriage of Figaro (Thursday27th April); and Royal Ballet: Sleeping Beauty (Wednesday 24th May).

Further dates and titles to be announced throughout the season.

For music lovers everywhere, summer will present a variety of shows starting with the world’s leading tribute to Coldplay; Coldplace (Thursday 15th June). Celebrating one of the most successful bands of all time, this outstanding band will include your favourite hits – Yellow, Paradise and A Sky full of Stars.

For all those who dreamed of going to New York’s Studio 54, Disco Inferno (Friday 16th June) screams glitter balls and good times. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra (Thursday 22nd June) changes styles for audiences who appreciate the sounds from a golden era. Listen to the Orchestra as they re-create music from the 1920s and 1930s.

The Sound of Springsteen (Friday 23rd June) brings their live performances to rock you with Bruce Springsteen’s greatest hits and deep cuts. With songs including Born In The USA, Glory Days, and some of Bruce’s most recent hits, including Ghosts.

Rave On (Saturday 24th June) features the greatest hits of the 1950s and 60s, from the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and many more.

Join Alex Voysey Blues Band in their highly entertaining show Old Dogs New Tricks (Saturday 22nd July), for fans of the Blues, from Robert Johnson to John Mayer.

Nick Cope’s Family Show (Friday 28th July) is a performance of unique songs for children and their families that have been performed for over 10 years.

King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys present Good Time Rhythm and Blues (Saturday 29th July). With nearly 7000 performances across 27 countries under their belt, join the finale of the season with the world’s greatest jump, jive and swing band.

Hull news, events & special offers

Our weekly digest rounds up the best things happening around Hull & East Yorkshire.

Featured

Got something to share?

We want to share everything positive that’s going on around Hull. We have loads of great ways to share your stuff:
Click the button above or email us at events@hullwhatson.com
*Registration required
Featured Hull Events
Unmissable offers!
Places you should visit

Hull news, events & offers by email

Stay up to date on everything good happening locally!