Like everywhere around the UK, all theatre in Hull ground to halt at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. It’s only recently that our two great theatres; Hull New Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre have been able to reopen and start offering avid fans what they’ve really missed for over a year.
And theatre in Hull has never been better. It’s early days yet, but Hull New Theatre already has a stellar line up of huge musical tours coming from London’s west end this year, while Hull Truck continues to astound with their announced trilogy of monologues this month. Here’s a list of the biggest theatre to look forward to for the rest of 2021.
The Greatest Play in the History of the World
Monday 7 June – Saturday 12 June, 7.30 PM and matinees on 9 and 12 June
Hull Truck Theatre, The Heron
Whilst the title might seem a little exaggerated, this universal love story celebrates humanity- even the messy bits! The play is about a man, who wakes up and sees that the world has stopped (we’ve all felt what that is like over this last year!) and the only sign of life is a woman in an oversized Bowie shirt. Starring Julie Hesmondhalgh from shows such as Broadchurch and Coronation Street, The Greatest Play in The History of the World has received lots of praise and was the 2018 Fringe sell-out show!
Recommended for ages 12 +
Tickets cost £13.50 – £24.50 and are available here.
Everything I Own
Thursday 17 June – Saturday 26 June, 7.30 PM and matinees on 23 and 26 June
Hull Truck Theatre, The Heron
This one-man show by Daniel Ward and performed by Gabriel Paul follows the story of Errol, who lost his dad to Covid and is remembering the music-loving man who brought his family from Jamaica to Hull. The mourning and memory of such an important man in Errol’s life is done through looking through his Spotify playlist, sorting out his possessions, and drinking rum! It is a moving reflection of our world now, including the Back Lives Matter movement and how hard people still need to fight today. The director Amanda Huxton says, “This is a beautiful play full of loss and healing. It’s a play written for this moment and our times.”
Recommended for ages 14+
Tickets cost £13.50 – £24.50 and are available here.
Hull & High Water
Thursday 1 July – Saturday 10 July, 7.30 PM and matinees on 7 and 10 July
Hull Truck Theatre, The Heron
This is the story of Frank Piddock, the man who ran away from his care home. Frank, played by Emmerdale actor John Middleton, is on the run through Hull. He meets the familiar settings and landmarks with memories of his past and his family but when his memories bring up the things he would rather forget, the only thing he can be sure of is his home city. Hull & High Waters was written by the Hull-born playwright Janet Plater.
Recommended for ages 12 +
Tickets cost £13.50 – £24.50 and are available here.
The Show Will Go On
Saturday 10 July, 2 PM and 7 PM
Hull New Theatre
The Show Will Go On is a compilation of all your favourite musical theatre songs, performed by the top local performers. There will be over forty different hits from lots of different productions such as The Lion King, Hamilton, Les Miserables, Dreamgirls, Dear Evan Hansen, Rent, Hairspray, Grease 2, Avenue Q and so much more! For your comfort, the tickets will be limited as every other row will be used.
Tickets cost £13 – £15 and are available here.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Tuesday 12 July – Sunday 17 July
Hull New Theatre
The iconic musical Priscilla, based off of the Oscar-winning movie, is a glamourous and joyful story of three friends who go on a trip to put on a show of a lifetime! It has all the best dance-floor tunes like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, It’s Raining Men and I Will Survive, which will have you singing out loud. The Sunday Times describes it as “The best feel-good show since MAMMA MIA!” so it is definitely one to check out.
Recommended for ages 12 +
Tickets are available from £15 and you can book them here. Original tickets are still valid.
Six- The Musical
Wednesday 20 July – Monday 25 July
Hull New Theatre
Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE! This musical is the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, as told from their perspectives. The Tudor queens become pop princesses in this international sell-out show, which has been nominated for five Oliver Awards, including Best New Musical. This modern retelling of a famous story is something you will lose your head over!
Tickets are available from £15 and you can book them here. Original tickets are still valid.
Dragons and Mythical Beasts
Saturday 30 July – Monday 1 August
Hull New Theatre
This spell-binding adventure displays all kinds of mythical creatures live on stage. From the well-known Unicorn and Griffin to the Indrik and Japanese Baku, there are all kinds to explore. You’ll learn that the Tooth Fairy isn’t as sweet as you’d think, and that you shouldn’t wake a sleeping Dragon. This show will be magical to watch and lots of fun!
Tickets are available from £12.50 and you can book them here. Original ticket are still valid.
School of Rock
Tuesday 7 September – Saturday 18 September
Hull New Theatre
The award-winning musical from Andrew Lloyd Webber, based off of the film starring Jack Black, is coming to Hull! School of Rock is the story of the wannabe rock star Dewey Finn turning a class of elite prep school students into a rock band ready to compete in the battle of the bands. This heart-warming show will be sure to blow you away with the original songs from the film, as well as fourteen new songs written by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Recommended for ages 8 +
Tickets are available from £18.50 and you can book them here. Original tickets are still valid.
Turn and Face the Strange
Tuesday 14 September – Saturday 18 September
Hull Truck Theatre, The Heron
This multi-media show about Hull rock legend Mick Ronson is back by popular demand for 2021! Turn and Face the Strange features a live rock band, a classical string quartet, film projecting and storytelling in order to tell the story of the life and music of Mick Ronson. There’s also a fantastic line-up of rock talent that played alongside Mick Ronson and David Bowie, such as Keith ‘Ched’ Cheesman (The Rats), John Cambridge (The Rats and The Hype), John Bentley (Squeeze), and so many more!
Tickets cost £13.50 – £26 and are available here. Original tickets are still valid.
Derren Brown Showman
Tuesday 21 September – Saturday 25 September
Hull New Theatre
Derren Brown is a widely acclaimed master of mind control and psychological illusions. After his debut in the US, his Showman performance last June was meant to be his first brand new theatre show for six years! Despite everything that’s happened since then, the content of Showman is still a well-guarded secret. Undoubtedly, it will be worth the wait.
Recommended for ages 12 +
Tickets are available from £25.00 and you can book them here. Original tickets are still valid.
Northern Ballet: Merlin
Tuesday 12 October – Saturday 16 October
Hull New Theatre
This enchanting story inspired by the mythical wizard Merlin is a mix of classic ballet and dramatic story-telling, as choreographed by the Oliver award-winning Drew McOnie. Northern Ballet’s Merlin will take you on an epic adventure as the wizard learns to master his magic in order to unite a warring kingdom. This will be a beautiful performance about a well-loved legend.
This production does include short periods of flashing lights and strobe effects.
Tickets are available from £9.00 and you can book them here.
Dirty Dancing
Tuesday 19 October – Saturday 23 October
Hull New Theatre
Dirty Dancing is an iconic movie, which is being retold on stage later this year. The classic story of Baby and Johnny will be told with spectacular emotion, sensational dirty dancing and the hit songs Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life. This worldwide favourite will definitely be something to look forward to as we get out of lockdown.
Tickets are available from £20.00 and available here. Original tickets are still valid.
CHICAGO
Monday 8 November – Saturday 13 November
Hull New Theatre
One of the most famous musicals in the world, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart (played by Faye Brookes from Coronation Street) and how she tricks the public into believing she is innocent of killing her on-the-side-lover after he threatened to leave her. Set in the decadent 1920s, it is a show full of glamour and glitz that has the greatest soundtrack, including favourites like Razzle Dazzle, Cell Block Tango and All That Jazz. With a star-studded cast, this production will blow you away!
Tickets are available from £20.00 and you can book them here.
Rocky Horror Show
Monday 22 November – Saturday 27 November
Hull New Theatre
Another West End favourite is The Rocky Horror Show! The legendary rock n roll musical by Richard O’Brien is coming to Hull as part of its 2021 World Tour. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, it tells the story of two squeaky clean college kids Brad and Janet who meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter when their car breaks down and they’re pulled into a strange series of events they won’t forget. This timeless classic is full of all your favourite songs, including the iconic Time Warp that will get you jumping to the right, stepping to the left and bringing your knees in tight.
Tickets are available from £15.00 and you can book them here. Original tickets are still valid.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Monday 29 November – Saturday 4 December
Hull New Theatre
The critically acclaimed West End show and winner of Best New Musical and What’s On Awards, London, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a fun and feel-good story about making your dreams come true. We follow Jamie New, a sixteen year old who lives in a council estate in Sheffield and is scared of the future. Little does he know, with support from his mum, he will be a sensation when he goes out into the spotlight. With a host of original pop songs, everybody will be talking about Jamie!
Tickets are available from £20.00 and you can book them here.
The Railway Children
Friday 26 November – Sunday 2 January
Hull Truck Theatre, The Heron
The Railway Children is one of Hull Truck Theatre’s Christmas shows that has been postponed for November this year. Based off of the classic story by E. Nesbit, it tells the story of three sheltered children Roberta aka ‘Bobbie’, Phyllis and Peter Waterbury. They are forced to move with their mother to rural Yorkshire, near the Oakworth railway station, when their father is falsely imprisoned. The story is about family and friendship and will be perfect to watch this Christmas.
Tickets cost £10 – £29.50 and are available here. If you book before 30 June, you will get £3 off all full priced tickets.