Hull Truck Theatre
Polly Checkland Harding
Over half a century old, the Hull Truck Theatre is dedicated to putting on high-quality productions of both intimate and epic scales.
Founded in 1971, Hull Truck Theatre has earned its place as one of Hull’s most integral cultural venues and was instrumental to Hull’s successful bid for the City of Culture title in 2017. The theatre stages stories in the heart of the city from its two theatre spaces, including both homegrown productions and innovative work by leading UK artists. The Heron is the main auditorium, a 429-seat space that hosts the main programme of plays, gigs, comedy performances and family shows. The Studio, with its 135 seats, is a more intimate space, and host to more experimental, sometimes challenging productions. Writers and directors who have produced work at Hull Truck include Anthony Minghella CBE, the award-winning director and writer of The English Patient, The Talented Mr Ripley and Cold Mountain, Amanda Whittington, who’s written over 30 plays for theatre and radio, and Richard Bean, the writer behind huge hit One Man, Two Guvnors.
Overseen by Artistic Director Mark Babych, the theatre’s outlook is locally rooted, its focus to foster a unique Northern voice while maintaining a global outlook. Its aim is to inspire artists and audiences, working extensively with schools and local communities as well as supporting emerging actors, writers and directors. It does so from a dedicated £15 million venue, supported by the city council, Arts Council England and European Regional Development fund, which opened in 2009, and home to the Hull Truck Theatre’s two stages and café-bars, including Shoot The Bull, the award-winning team behind The Old House, delivering signature beef burgers, poutine, larger plates and a kids offering.
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