Stepping into Summer Season with Hull Truck Theatre

Don’t miss Little Shop of Horrors (playing until Saturday 8 June), Presented in partnership with New Wolsey Theatre, Theatre By The Lake and Octagon Theatre Bolton. Set downtown on Skid Row, “Little Shop of Horrors” follows the downtrodden flower shop assistant Seymour, played by Oliver Mawdsley. Seymour’s luck takes a wild turn when he discovers a mysterious plant that promises fame and fortune. However, the plant’s insatiable appetite soon poses a deadly dilemma, threatening everything Seymour holds dear, including his budding romance with the sweet and naive Audrey, portrayed by Laura Jane Matthewson.

Sofie Jackson, Reviewer for Hull Daily Mail, said:

“If you can, make it your mission to see this unforgettable show. It's a rare opportunity to see it in the UK and this is a truly fantastic production by a very talented group of artists.”

Hull Truck Theatre are excited for the return of their Grow Festival which will include rehearsed readings, film screenings and work-in-progress sharing’s of new work. With networking opportunities to strengthen industry connections and drop-in sessions for 1:1 support, there really is something for artists and creatives in all stages of their career in this year's programme.

Digital Shorts (Thursday 6 June) will once again be included as part of the launch event for the festival. This event will give artists the chance to meet other creatives in the city and to also enjoy a special preview of the series of short films created with local writers, including Tom Wells, Evie Guttridge, Elle Ideson, Jim Norris and Hannah Scorer. Tickets are £6.50.

Knickers (Saturday 8 June) is a Sharing and Q&A presented by Wolf Pack Theatre. Written by Kira Holmes, this laugh-out-loud comedy will explore the extreme lengths Jodie will go to, to make ends meet during the cost-of-living crisis. Selling her knickers online, what could possibly go wrong? Tickets £13.50 (£2 Concession).

On Tuesday 11 June audiences are invited to catch a glimpse of an exciting new co-production between Hull Truck Theatre and Pilot Theatre that will be coming to Hull Truck Theatre in Spring 2025. This rehearsed reading by Maureen Lennon will tell the tale of the iconic British writer, philosopher, and feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Set against a backdrop of societal upheaval and with music by singer-songwriter Billy Nomates, this story delves deep into Wollstonecraft's life, from her early struggles growing up in neighbouring Beverley, to her impassioned fight for equality. This is a free ticketed event.

Grow: Connect & Collaborate Networking Event (Wednesday 12 June) is a chance for an informal artist meet-up, facilitated by Hull Truck Theatre. Whatever stage you are at in your career, you’re invited to come together to have a space to connect with other artists in the city, build a community and support one another. Free event.

Join budding playwrights who have recently attended the 10-week ‘Introduction to Playwrighting’ course at Hull Truck Theatre, for a script-in-hand sharing of the pieces of work they have created. Introduction to Playwriting: Sharing (Thursday 13 June) is an opportunity to see new work in its rawest and most exciting form! Free event.

Silent Uproar: Workshop (Friday 14 June) is a session for anyone who writes but doesn’t tend to work on scripts. Learn some formatting basics along with other top tips and take part in writing exercises to try things out as we go. Nothing has to be shared as part of the session, this is about getting a chance to play around freely with what your writing can do.

Making theatre can be tough, at any stage of your career and sometimes you need a second opinion. Whether you are just wanting to introduce yourself and discuss your career aspirations, or you have an exciting new project that you would like producer support on, Hull Truck Theatre are offering Free Producer 1-to-1s for artists. Drop-in sessions will take place on 7, 14 and 21 June. If you would be interested securing a spot, please contact producer@hulltruck.co.uk with your request.

As part of Grow Festival 2024, Hull Truck Theatre has awarded three bursaries to local artists to take part in the Be Our Guest residency programme. Andy Ross and Jack Fielding, Ellen Brammar, and Elise Gilbert will each spend a week in residence at the theatre developing their work to later share with a paying audience in the Godber Studio on Friday 21 June.

Buy tickets for all three paid performances (Digital Shorts, Wolf Pack and Be Our Guest) for just £24 (saving up to 20%). For more details, please visit our website: Grow Festival 2024 | HullTruckTheatre

From a musical about Killer Plants to a musical about fish…Guts! The Musical (Saturday 29 June – Saturday 6 July), a community production presented by Hull Truck Theatre and Hull Maritime is the story of the Hull Fish Packers, by writer, Maureen Lennon and directed by Tom Saunders.

This story is an important part of our city’s rich maritime history, which goes way beyond the Headscarf Revolutionaries. Join Hull Truck Theatre in celebrating this upbeat and uplifting tale about justice, the power of female friendship, and …fish…with a whole load of hilarity and musical joy thrown in for good measure.

Based on a true story, watch as the whole community come together to present this highly entertaining farcical drama. Think Made in Dagenham meets Barbie (The Movie).

Audiences can also pull up their most fabulous boots for a drag-filled night of fun in the hit musical, Kinky Boots (Tue 18 – Sat 22 June). Inspired by a true story, book by Harvey Fierstein and music by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this amateur production is presented by Beverley Musical Theatre, arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Making a welcome return to Hull Truck Theatre’s stage is the John Godber Company with the hilarious, touching and political Happy Jack (Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 June). Happy Jack tells the story of an ordinary working-class family life – at the coal face, in the pit village, on the donkeys and by the fireside, this was John Godber’s very first play, written when he was 25. A celebration of miners and their wives all over the world, but especially in Yorkshire.

John Godber OBE, Playwright, said:

“The play is a celebration of working-class lives, personal commitment, and deep affection. We may have lost the mining industry, but in Happy Jack the spirit of the miner’s struggle lives on.”

Get 2 shows for £35 - saving you up to £24 per person. Take advantage of our Drama Deal when you buy tickets for both Happy Jack and Little Shop of Horrors. Drama Deal | HullTruckTheatre

For fans of Hull Truck Screen, Hull Independent Cinema will bring audiences The Origin of Evil (Tuesday 4 June). This is a sumptuous treat of a twisted and twisty queer thriller, expertly calibrated for tingling camp pleasure.

Forget-Me-Not Screening (Tuesday 18 June) is a 40-minute film that features the shared lived experiences of four Ukrainian refugees who sought sanctuary in East Yorkshire under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. Learn more about their journey, challenges and adapting to a new environment during this exploration of humanity. A Free event, presented by the Refugee Council.

Also not to be missed this month is the music from James Hudson (Friday 14 June). Returning to Hull Truck Theatre with his new Homecoming Album Launch, this outstanding vocalist and a rising star in UK jazz scene, who was born and bred in East Yorkshire is back.

For this very special show, James will be launching his bold and ambitious new album MOONRAY. This will showcase his impressive 13-piece band, composed of some of the very best musicians in the country - including both a string section and horn section to create a unique line-up with an accomplished and mesmerising sound. You’ll hear reimagining’s of favourites such as ‘Feed The Birds’ (Mary Poppins) and ‘Sunny’ (Boney M) as well as many other jazz classics from The Great American Songbook.

Finally, if you are looking for entertainment for adults and children alike, Impatient Productions present The Kids' show (Saturday 15 June) that's fun for all the family! Full of sketches, songs, pranks and silliness. Rachel and Ruby use physical comedy and silly characters to bring sketch comedy to children of all ages – a fun way to explore emotions, friendship and shyness. Teenage Men (Saturday 15 June) is a new show from the 'easy to fall in love with' (Scotsman) double-act featuring anecdotes, songs, jokes about performing for kids, the Instagram algorithm, confronting your toxicity, and more. As seen on BBC3 and ITVX. Founders of the LOL Word.

Thursday Theatre Club is also back! This month (Thursday 6 June), discover the Mechanics of what makes scenes funny. This will both be done practically and through group discussion analysing text through practical exploration of scenes. In this we will be exploring scenes from playwrights such as Lydia Marchant, Richard Bean and John Godber. Led by Hull Trucks Drama worker – Joe Beckett

For more information about Hull Truck Theatre and to buy tickets for any of the shows taking place in June, please visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk