2nd May 2008

Hull MPs take a tour around Truck’s new home

Hull’s three MPs have taken a tour of one of the city’s most exciting development projects – the new home for Hull Truck Theatre. A group from the theatre, including playwright John Godber, led Alan Johnson, Diana Johnson and John Prescott on a tour of the Ferensway site, and explained how the prestigious project needs further cash to help it reach its full potential.

Joint Artistic Director John Godber said: “Work on site is progressing well and we wanted to show the MPs how the building is taking shape, and talk to them about our vision for its future. There is huge potential for this theatre to become a centre of excellence – not just for the city but the whole region. We know there is a tremendous amount of goodwill towards Hull Truck; now we need to see that goodwill in action.”

The theatre has secured £14m for construction of the state-of-the-art building, but still needs to raise a further £520,000 towards the building’s fit-out, which will enable its artistic and education teams to deliver the widest possible range of work. To help reach this target, Hull Truck will be announcing a host of opportunities to get involved, at a local and national level.

The three Hull MPs are active supporters of Hull Truck Theatre; the theatre is within Alan Johnson’s constituency, Diana Johnson has supported its Star Struck appeal through the purchase of a star, and John Prescott invited the cast of youth theatre production Slavers to perform in Westminster last year.

Hull East MP John Prescott said: “The new building is fantastic – the ambition, scale, and possibilities of it are significant – we really could establish a new standard here that could have national implications.”

Hull North MP Diana Johnson said: "Hull Truck Theatre is a key part of Hull's arts and culture scene and the wider regeneration of the city. It is great to see what a fantastic new base Hull Truck will have when the theatre opens on the new site."

Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson said: “The new theatre looks to be everything I anticipated and wished for. Hull Truck Theatre has been a crucial part of my constituency and is now an important part of the development of this whole area; once the new theatre is completed, next to St Stephen’s and the new transport interchange, it will all fit together – it couldn’t be designed better.”

The new Hull Truck project has been supported financially by Arts Council England, Hull City Council, the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward. The theatre, designed by Wright & Wright, is being built by Quarmby Construction Company and is expected to be completed by autumn. The new Hull Truck Theatre will open its doors to the public in spring 2009. It will incorporate a 440-seat main auditorium and a 134-seat studio.

Ends

Media enquiries to Alice Mooney on 01482 325012 or Email alice@hulltruck.co.uk

Notes for editors:
· The MPs were joined on-site by Hull Truck Theatre’s Joint Artistic Directors John Godber and Gareth Tudor Price, and Chair of the Hull Truck Board Michael Oughtred.
· Hull Truck Theatre was formed in 1971, operating from the back of a truck. It has been based at its current home, a converted Methodist schoolroom on Spring Street, Hull, since 1983. The current seating capacity is 290.
· Architects Wright & Wright have designed the building to carry forward the intimate feel of the Spring Street venue, which is loved by performers and audiences alike.
· As well as the two auditoria, the building also incorporates rehearsal space, education facilities, bars and a café and corporate facilities.
· The £520,000 needed to be raised is for fit-out of the building - including seating, equipment for backstage areas etc.
· The theatre has already been awarded £100,000 towards fit-out through grants and donations and is awaiting the outcome of dozens more applications.
· An exciting range of opportunities to get involved with Hull Truck Theatre will be available – corporate enquiries should be made to Development Coordinator Katy Moore on (01482) 325012 or by emailing katy@hulltruck.co.uk