1972

After three months of rehearsing through improvisation around paraffin stove in a cold damp rented house in Coltman Street in Hull, the first play The Children Of The Lost Planet opens at the Gulbenkian Studio Theatre on 10th March. Although well received, it resulted in few bookings. The Company devised The Land of Woo, the first of several children’s shows, which was performed in a nun’s garage at an orphanage. The second adult production was The Last Of The Great Love Goddesses that went on to tour Humberside.

1973

The third show The Weekend After Next reached a wider audience, playing at Glasgow’s Close Theatre and The Royal Court Theatre upstairs in a season of improvised plays. The Adult’s only show The Mackintosh Cabaret was banned in Hull because of its ‘naughtiness’.

1974

The next full-length improvised play The Knowledge marked a turning point in the Company’s development. Forum Theatre Manchester bills it as ‘a hippy whodunnit’. Plays to 50 OAP’s, which steadily decreases to 22. Management takes the show off. Guardian critic Robin Thornber at that first night likes show and so writes in London Guardian, disagreeing with the lady who shouted ‘tripe’. The Knowledge tours nationally, ending in a run at London’s Bush Theatre, where each of Hull Truck’s plays performed up to 1983. Company commissioned to produce play for BBC TV’s Second City First series.

1975

Barry Nettleton joins Hull Truck as administrator; The Writing On The Wall is screened on BBC TV. Successful national of new devised play Oh What!

1976

Hull Truck is first and possibly only visiting Company to perform at National Theatre with Bridget’s House. Play also published by Theatre Quarterly Publications and tours Belgium and Holland. There is a turning point on Company’s financial fortunes with first substantial grant from Arts Council of Great Britain.

1977

After three years together, Company members decide to pursue separate careers. A Bed Of Roses wins Edinburgh Fringe First and transfers from Bush Theatre to Royal Court’s main stage. The talented company includes David Threlfall, who goes on to play the celebrated role of Smike in R S C’s Nicholas Nickelby.

1978

Company takes new direction by producing three scripted plays: The Great Caper by Ken Campbell, with Jim Broadbent as Eugene, The New Garbo by Doug Lucie and The Dalkey Archive by Flann O’Brien, the last of which Company is invited to perform at celebrated Long Whaft Theatre in New Haven, USA. Alan Williams’ remarkable play The Cockroach Trilogy performed.

1979

Return to improvisational method with OOH LA LA! which goes on a National tour plus performances at Bush Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Traverse Theatre during Edinburgh Festival.