Hull Truck Youth Theatre – which made history in 2007 by performing in a Westminster chamber - is to continue its ground-breaking work by being the first youth theatre in the world to perform the re-mixed version of Willy Russell’s Stags and Hens.

The new version of the classic nightclub-based play was penned by Willy Russell (Blood Brothers, Shirley Valentine) to mark its 30th anniversary and was recently on-stage at the Royal Court in Liverpool. Hull Truck Youth Theatre Director Lee Green had already decided the talented group’s first performance of 2008 would be Stags and Hens – but was delighted to learn from Willy Russell they could be the first youth theatre to perform the new version, and set it in Hull.

The hilarious Stags and Hens follows bride Linda (Ruby Thompson) and groom Dave (Michael Phillips) as they head out on their last night of freedom – but in the same dodgy nightclub. The play has proved controversial, mainly due to its strong language, so is challenging for the young actors. But Lee says it has a deeper message: “The play is as relevant today as it was back in 1978. It is a slice of northern life, but addresses something much more serious than that. It’s about forgotten dreams, goals and aspirations; it asks lots of questions, like why do people strive to leave their home town, what’s wrong with here?”

MP John Prescott was so impressed with Hull Truck Youth Theatre’s that he invited them to perform at Westminster last year; Stags and Hens is a great opportunity to see Hull’s rising acting stars, supported by a professional theatre team, perform a remixed comedy classic.

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Media enquiries, including interview requests, to Alice Mooney, Marketing Officer (Press / PR), Hull Truck Theatre. Tel 01482 325012 or email alice@hulltruck.co.uk

Notes for editors:
· Stags and Hens will be performed nightly at 7.30pm.
· There will be a matinee performance on Saturday April 5 at 2pm.
· Tickets cost £6.50 or £5 concs.
· Stags and Hens contains strong language, so is recommended for ages 15+.
· Willy Russell is one of Britain’s best-loved playwrights, having written favourites such as Blood Brothers and Shirley Valentine.
· The designer for Stags and Hens is Graham Kirk.
· Hull Truck Youth Theatre performed Slavers – a play written by Rupert Creed as part of the Wilberforce 2007 events – at Westminster at the invitation of Hull East MP John Prescott. This was the first time such a performance had been staged in a House of Commons chamber.
· Other recent Hull Truck Youth Theatre productions include Animal Farm, Game Boys and Console Cuties and Once A Catholic.
· The cast of Hull Truck Theatre’s Stags and Hens: The Remix went to see the performance at the Royal Court in Liverpool on March 1.
· Hull Truck Youth Theatre is open to young people aged between 10 and 21. Click her for Further information