23rd January 2007
HULL TRUCK ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON SPONSORS

Hull Truck Theatre Company is launching its Spring/Summer season this week boasting key support from four local businesses: William Jackson & Son, Browns Books, Hull FC and Hull KR.

The season will open with a production of Toast, written by award-winning, Hull-born playwright Richard Bean, and sponsored by legendary Hull bakery, William Jackson & Son. The play, which is set in a fictitious 1970s Hull bread plant, offers a humorous insight into workplace characters and scenarios, and will no doubt stir nostalgia amongst local audiences. Through working in partnership with Hull Truck, Jackson’s will be rewarding their staff via ticket giveaways and opportunities to meet the writer, director and cast, to swap stories and take a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of theatre. In addition, two members of staff have been catapulted into local celebrity status, as their image, along with that of cast member Martin Barrass, will appear on all publicity material associated with the play.

“We are delighted to be sponsoring Hull Truck’s production of Toast. It is an excellent opportunity for William Jackson’s people to see a performance based on an industry we have been involved in for many years. I’m sure that bringing people together away from work to watch Toast will provide a memorable and entertaining evening for our colleagues” Allan Wheelwright, Group Personnel Director

Popular Hull bookshop, Browns Books, have also taken advantage of an arts and business partnership, through sponsorship of Hull Truck’s highly successful children’s storytelling sessions, Truck Tales. These family events have enjoyed many sell-out shows and increasingly high demand for tickets, and seek to encourage reading and literacy within the local community, an initiative that Browns Books whole-heartedly supports. Truck Tales tickets are priced at just £2.50 per ticket reflecting Hull Truck’s mission to create accessible theatre for the wider community. With the help of companies like Browns Books, the theatre can continue to provide quality events at low prices, whilst offering innovative branding and promotional opportunities for businesses to take advantage of.

Another production enjoying local support is Sully by Dave Windass, following the life and career of rugby hero Clive Sullivan. When the play premiered at Hull Truck in 2006, the theatre enjoyed invaluable support from both Hull FC and Hull KR. Usually seen battling it out on the pitch, the two rival rugby clubs will once again unite to promote the show to their fans, offering ticket giveaways and special discounts for season ticket holders. Clive Sullivan played for both KR and FC during his exceptional career, and Sully offers a possibly unique opportunity to hear the familiar club chants of ‘Old Faithful’ and ‘Red Red Robin’ echoing simultaneously throughout the intimate Hull Truck auditorium!

This season’s increase in sponsorship reflects a growing demand as Hull Truck moves towards a new, £13.8M theatre, which is being built alongside the prestigious St Stephen’s development in the city centre. The theatre company has already received enquiries from high profile organisations’ regarding sponsorship of the new building, prior to the official launch of these opportunities, which will take place later this year. For further information, please contact Eve Jackson, Director of Marketing and Sales, or Lucy Winstanley, Corporate Development Officer on 01482 325012.

Ends

Media Enquiries to Lucy Winstanley or Gina Hobbs at Hull Truck Theatre on 01482 325012.

Editor’s Notes
Imagery
Photograph available of Hull Truck/William Jackson & Son photo shoot for Toast brochure image featuring cast member Martin Barrass, and Jackson’s staff Trevor Joyce and Alan Chironda. Photo credit Louise Buckby.

Sponsored Productions

Toast by Richard Bean runs from Thursday 1st – Saturday 24th March

Sully by Dave Windass runs from Thursday 10th – Saturday 26th May

Truck Tales, Saturdays at 2pm:
17th March – Michael Dacre
14th April – Chris Bostock
28th April – Trucktacular Truck Tales Gang
26th May – Debbie Guneratne
23rd June - Chris Bostock
28th July – Trucktacular Truck Tales Gang

William Jackson & Son – www.wjs.co.uk
Browns Books – www.brownsbooks.co.uk
Hull FC – www.hullfc.com
Hull KR – www.hullkr.co.uk