Hull Truck Theatre presents another month of exciting work on-stage, including their in-house production of Anna Jordan’s critically acclaimed comedy-drama Pop Music. The visiting company programme includes a line-up of hilarious comedy, classic John Godber drama and film screenings, as well as a trick-or-treat adventure for families and little ones to celebrate Halloween during the school holidays.
October opens with Pop Music (Thursday 5 – Saturday 28 October), starring Emmerdale’s Natalie Anderson as ‘Kayla’ and West End actor David Ahmad as ‘G’. Join them as they take us on a rollercoaster journey at a mutual friends’ wedding disco – reliving the highs and lows of their teenage years and sharing the challenges of adulthood. Prepare to laugh, cry and dance like no one is watching in this uplifting comedy-drama about love, loss and hope, with an infectious Pop playlist at its heart.
In addition, the theatre is celebrating its one-year anniversary of ‘Baby Friendly’ access performances which have been specifically introduced for parents/ carers and their babies (under 18 months old). Pop Music Baby Friendly Performance (Friday 20 October 2023, 11am), will provide a relaxed and accessible experience where additional lighting will be used and sound will be adjusted to accommodate the need of infants during the performance. The auditorium will have a relaxed atmosphere and audiences will have the freedom to stand up and move about the space. There will also be access to a dedicated space where caregivers can change nappies as often as required.
Off The Kerb Productions present Josh Jones: Gobsmacked on Wednesday 4 October. An Edinburgh Comedy Awards’ Best Newcomer nominee and known for his proper jokes and wall-to-wall laughs, Josh’s recent TV appearances include The Jonathan Ross Show (ITV), 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Ch4), Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (Dave), Dating
No Filter (Sky), Comedy Central’s Guessable, Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains and Comedy Central Live.
The Varnishing Days (Friday 27 October) is the SOLD-OUT heart-stopping, glasses-dropping, hard-rocking, wig-shaking, levothyroxine-taking, knee-knocking, boot-licking, justifying, teeth-rattling, digressing new show from standup comedian to the stars, John Kearns.
Fans of John Godber will be spoilt for choice this season as Hull Truck Theatre hosts both Up ‘N’ Under and Do I Love You? Following the story of hopeless Hull Rugby team in their attempts to beat the odds and win an unlikely bet, Park Street Performing Arts Theatre will present their amateur production of Up ‘N’ Under on Wednesday 11 – Thursday 12 October. The John Godber Company’s new Northern Soul-infused drama, Do I Love You? (Tuesday 31st October – Saturday 4 November), asks “Is this England in 1973 or 2023?”. The pubs are closing, hospitality has gone, and strikes are everywhere but there is always the weekend. It’s time to spread the talc and grab the loafers and join them for this hilarious comedy.
Following the national tour of From Me To Us, Wayne Steven Jackson’s new solo show And Here I Find Myself (Wednesday 25 October) combines digital media, original music, and live performance to explore parenthood, life goals, disappointment, and the sticky veil of heteronormative expectation.
October half-term is just around the corner and Hull Truck Theatre have some family entertainment lined up for families with children aged 3 – 6: A Great Halloween Adventure (Sat 28, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 October). Featuring an arts and crafts session followed by an interactive play that uses whatever you have made, adventures are invited and encouraged to come in spooky-themed Halloween dress!
Hull Truck Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company have joined forces along with a number of other Associate Regional Theatres to celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio: A national playwriting competition to find 37 new plays that celebrate the world we live in now. 37 Plays (Thursday 19 – Friday 20 October) will see two plays read on stage by professional actors who will perform with scripts in hand giving you an exciting insight into the plays early professional journey. Jack in a Box by Joanne Thomson is one giant metaphor for the failings of our justice system when it comes to sexual assault, while Growing Pains by Hannah Eggleton is a short play about Gel Pens, netball and the Virgin Mary.
Tom Saunders, Associate Director at Hull Truck Theatre said:
“We’re trying to create more opportunities for our audiences to experience work early in its development to be part of the play’s journey to the stage. These plays are really exciting, and we’re delighted to get to share them in Hull for our audiences in October. For anyone that hasn’t attended a “script-in-hand” performance yet, I urge you to come and see as it’s a brilliant experience and you truly get a feel for the play’s potential.”
Join Hull Truck Theatre’s Associate Director, Tom Saunders, for a practical introduction to applied theatre and the thinking behind it, as Hull Truck Theatre also offer First Thursday Theatre Club (Thursday 5 October). “Applied Theatre” is a phrase often used to describe
theatre and drama practice that is educational, community-focused or therapeutic. This includes theatre with an educational or social message and participatory projects that offer participants a thought-provoking experience.
The theatre is also proud to host screenings and films in their state-of-the-art screen with sound system. Hull Truck Screen is excited to welcome in its first year, Unthinkable Film Festival Screening (Friday 13 October), a Hull-based short film festival. Expect a selection of the original shorts under 15 minutes from around the UK.
Hull Independent Cinema continue to partner with Hull Truck Theatre, where this month audiences are invited to celebrate filmmaker Ira Sachs, making a breathtaking return with Passages (18) (Thursday 26 October), a fresh, honest and brutally funny take on messy,
modern relationships. Starring Franz Rogowski, Adèle Exarchopoulos and Ben Whishaw this is the story of a tempestuous love triangle told in a smart and refreshingly candid style.
Northern Silent Film Festival (Saturday 28 October) will present Another Fine Mess! – A Laurel and Hardy triple-bill comedy screening brought to life with live piano, and Chicago – A silent film with live jazz band celebrating the original Cecil B. DeMille version that came seventy-five years before Bob Fosse’s Broadway musical.
Finally, kicking off Hull Comedy Festival, Rob Kemp: The Walking Dead (Tuesday 31 October) is for fans of the Cult Classic horror movie Evil Dead 2, reinterpreted through the songs of Elvis Presley. Join Hull Truck Theatre for a taste of what is to come in November when they will present a full festival lineup from Hull Comedy Festival. For more information or to buy tickets visit: What’s On | HullTruckTheatre
