The Hypocrite
April 1642. Sir John Hotham, Governor of Hull, is charged by Parliament to secure the arsenal at Hull and deny entry to King Charles I. If only it were that simple. With a Royalist siege outside the city walls and the rebellion of the mob within, Civil War seems inevitable and losing his head more than probable. The Hypocrite is a riotous comedy from award-winning playwright Richard Bean ( One Man, Two Guvnors). Transferring direct from Hull to Stratford-upon-Avon this brand new co-production was directed by Phillip Breen.
The Suitcase
It's 1950s South Africa. A young newly married couple leave their rural village and disapproving family, for the city of Durban. Their goal: to return home, rich and free. But, alienated in the city, unemployed and poor, Timi starts to lose his moral compass. Desperate to provide for his pregnant wife he steals a suitcase left on a bus not knowing what might be inside; an act which brings frightening consequences, dramatic twists and unexpected turns.
The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca
Maxine Peake's play, The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca, presents a snapshot of Hessle Road, Hull’s fishing community, in the 1960s. The play showed Hull hero Lillian Bilocca and her crew of head scarfed women through in 1968, as they dared to speak out and take action to improve the safety conditions for their men at sea.
Richard III
England is in the midst of the Wars of the Roses when Richard, Duke of Gloucester, sees a chance for the crown. He is Shakespeare's twisted villain who we love to hate as, with ruthless cunning and silver-tongued charm, he stops at nothing to remove brothers, wife, nephews and friends from his path. 2017 marks twenty-five years of Northern Broadsides, and this co-production with Hull Truck Theatre brought the celebrated company back to its roots, when it staged Richard III as its first play in the Marina Boatshed in Hull.
A Christmas Carol
On a cold Christmas Eve, four spirits conspire to show Ebenezer Scrooge the error of his ways. His old business partner, Jacob Marley has returned from the dead to offer him a second chance, if he can change his mean and miserly behaviour. An iconic play which Hull Truck was fortunate to host in December 2017.
Mighty Atoms
In a struggling pub on one of Hull's toughest streets, ex-pro boxer Taylor Flint runs a women’s boxercise class. For Lauren, Jazz, Aneta and Grace the class is much more than a way to lose weight and have a laugh – they’re fighting the grinding challenges of everyday life. Inspired by Hull's original Mighty Atom, Barbara Buttrick, this play by award-winning writer Amanda Whittington (Ladies Day, Be My Baby, Amateur Girl) pulled no punches.
Our Mutual Friend
Hull Truck Youth Theatre's groups united on the main stage in this feisty production, adapted by award-winning writer Bryony Lavery. It touched on many familiar Dickens themes – social injustice, class divisions, the corrupting influence of money – and hinges on the key setting of the River Thames.
