Our story: Hull Truck marks 50 years with new play based on its creation
PROUD HISTORY: Hull Truck Theatre
Hull Truck Theatre has announced the premiere of a specially commissioned new play, inspired by the real-life story of the theatre’s creation.
Written by Richard Bean and directed by Mark Babych, the production will launch the theatre’s 50th anniversary programme in 2022.
The play, 71 Coltman Street, which runs from February 17 to March 12, will tell the dramatised story of Hull Truck Theatre founder Mike Bradwell’s mission to revolutionise British theatre, and create work that is “sweaty, exciting, unpredictable...”.
This resulted in the birth of the Hull theatre company which has since gained a reputation for producing, programming and touring pioneering work with a Northern voice.
The production is written by multi-award-winning Hull-born playwright Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) whose critically acclaimed play The Hypocrite was co-commissioned by Hull Truck and the Royal Shakespeare Company, and was a major highlight of Hull's year as UK City of Culture in 2017.
Richard Bean. Picture credit: Steve Cummiskey
Directed by Hull Truck’s artistic director Mark Babych, the play takes place in a freezing cold house in Coltman Street, west Hull, in early 1972 where a motley crew of unemployed actors gather to improvise a play with no name, no plot, no budget and no bookings.
Sick of “fancy plays by dead blokes”, Mike finds inspiration in the lives of real people and decides there is nowhere better to start the revolution than Hull.
71 Coltman Street will take audiences back to where it all began, offering “a roaring combination of comedy, cabaret, farce and drama”.
Set during one of Hull’s toughest economic periods, the production is both inspiring and uplifting – and although a comedy, the boundary pushing play also tackles the tough subjects of deprivation, unemployment, and poverty, the theatre said.
Mr Babych said: “We’re phenomenally proud of Hull Truck’s story and its legacy as a theatre which celebrates local people.
“Mike believed that theatre is for everyone and should showcase real-life experiences that audiences could connect with on a personal level, and it’s still very much the ethos of the company today.
Mark Babych. Picture credit: Andrew Billington
“We’re also thrilled to work with Richard again, as to have an internationally renowned playwright still making work for and inspired by the place he was born is fantastic.
“He was always our first choice to bring our origin story to life on stage. This production is the perfect example of what we want to do with our anniversary year – create work that makes invisible stories visible.”
More details of the 50th anniversary programme will be announced in November.
The programme will focus on the people that have been the beating heart of the theatre for the last half a century, including supportive audiences, generous funders, talented artists and dedicated staff.
It will also explore what the next 50 years might hold for Hull Truck, and how the company can continue to inspire future generations.
Tickets for 71 Coltman Streetare on sale from noon today and can be purchased from the theatre’s website.