14th June 2008

New writers' work to shine in Spring Street spotlight for last time!

Theatre-lovers are being invited to see work from budding playwrights performed in Hull Truck’s famously intimate Spring Street theatre – for the last time ever.

The PlayWrite Festival, to be staged from June 24 – 26, will be the last new writing event to be held before the theatre’s move to its new, state-of-the-art home on Ferensway in spring next year.

For the 28 local writers taking part, the festival offers a unique opportunity to see their work performed in one of the nation’s best-loved auditoriums.

Associate Director Nick Lane said: “With Hull Truck’s history of introducing audiences to new writing talent, it seems more relevant than ever in this, our final year at Spring Street, to celebrate the writing potential within this city and its surroundings, and to give these new voices a last chance to have their plays performed here.

"This is the stage which has seen the growth of the great John Godber amongst others. It is an encapsulation of our ethos as a company and I don’t think there can be a more fitting tribute to this groundbreaking space.”

The writers whose work will be performed at the PlayWrite Festival have all taken part in eight-week writing courses led by Hull Truck’s artistic team.

Their short plays or scenes will be performed with scripts in hand by four accomplished Hull Truck actors and will be split across the three evenings – with each evening having a different theme.

Hull Truck staged its first PlayWrite Festival last year, although the theatre has been developing new writing for many years through various projects including the Blockheads.

Among the success stories to come from the new writing groups is Dave Windass, who has gone on to have several plays staged at Hull Truck, including On A Shout which received high critical acclaim earlier this year.

PlayWrite tickets cost £3.50 / £2.50 (concs) per night – call the box office on (01482) 323638.

Ends

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

Notes for editors:
· Nick Lane is available for interview – please contact Alice on (01482) 325012.
· The writers have submitted pieces of up to 20 minutes in length for performance at the festival; some of the work was written during or after the PlayWrite courses, some has been written especially for the festival.
· The themes are: Coming Together (Tuesday), For Better, For Worse (Wednesday) and Falling Apart (Thursday).
· Nick Lane is Hull Truck Theatre’s Associate Director. He has written and/or directed many plays at Hull Truck, including most recently, Studs, Blue Cross Xmas, Little Red Riding Hood and My Favourite Summer.
· Details about future new writing schemes will be posted on the Hull Truck website
· The theatre has an active education department which runs the Hull Truck Youth Theatre, offers bespoke community outreach projects and workshops, and runs schools tours. For information about the department, email education@hulltruck.co.uk
· Hull Truck Theatre was formed in 1971, operating from the back of a truck.
· In 1983, the theatre company acquired its first home, a converted church hall in Spring Street.
· Hull Truck Theatre is a registered charity and fundraising for the new theatre has been ongoing for 10 years.
· The theatre has already raised £14m with support from Arts Council England, Hull City Council, the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward.
· The building, designed by Wright & Wright, is being built by Quarmby Construction Company.
· It will incorporate a 440-seat main auditorium and 134-seat studio theatre, an education suite, corporate facilities and cafe bars.