The
Hull Truck Blog spot
Tuesday 15th July
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!
The month of June saw John Godber’s national tour Our House make a welcome
return after receiving rave reviews from around the country. The dynamic cast
comprised Dicken Ashworth, Matthew Booth, Annmarie Hosell, Lewis Linford, Jacqueline
Naylor and Fiona Wass.
Here are some comments from the press…
“Full of mixed emotions, particularly humour, and the audience is constantly amused … a fine show of real life with real people that most could relate to. A good night out.” BBC Bradford & West Yorkshire
“A shrewd, soft-hearted play … it scores in every area that it tackles.” The Observer
“[An] earthily funny play about the decline of community.” Birmingham Post
“Funny, affectionate look at working class life.” Hull
Daily Mail
Left: Jacqueline Naylor and Lewis
Linford photographed by
Louise Buckby
Here are some fabulous facts about Our House!!!
- Our House premiered in Spring 2001 at Hull Truck Theatre to mark the company’s 30th Anniversary.
- It was originally staged in two separate spaces. The first half in a purpose built auditorium in a warehouse next door to the theatre. The set contained a full-sized replica northern council house and a real grass garden. The second half was staged in the auditorium and set in the interior of the house.
- Our House is based on John Godber’s own experience after his parents had to move away from very disruptive and unpleasant neighbours.
- The part of Jack was
originally played by Steve Huison from
the blockbuster British film Full Monty. Coincidently,
John Godber was offered a lead role in Full
Monty but turn it down due to prior commitments.
- Left: Dicken Ashworth and Fiona Wass photographed by Louise Buckby
- Acclaimed film and television actor Dicken Ashworth has appeared in both of Hull Truck’s productions of Our House and is the only original cast member.
- Lewis Linford was a member of Hull Truck Youth Theatre before landing a role in John Godber’s BAFTA award winning BBC drama Odd Squad.
- Matthew Booth is a regular to Hull Truck tours having starred in both My Favourite Summer (alongside Our House co-star Fiona Wass) and the 30th Anniversary tour of Bouncers last year. And for all you Fiona and Matthew fans out there we have great news!!! Both will be returning to Hull Truck for My Favourite Summer this year in October/November with the other original cast member Marc Bolton.
- You’d be right in thinking that some of the faces are familiar. Dicken Ashworth is recognised for his roles in Coronation Street and Emmerdale playing Geoff Horten and Duke Woods respectively and voiced the character of Mr Mulch in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were Rabbit, Matthew Booth played postman Paul Marsden in Emmerdale as well as being series regular Joe Ellis in The Ward and Fiona Wass played Claire, one of the lead characters in the BBC3 show Grownups.
- The lady who appears in
the main image for Our House is Hull Truck’s very own Senior Administrator, Pat O’Berg.
The image is set in the living room of
our Touring Co-ordinator Angela Marshall.
Studs, Stand-up
and the terrific Two
Thursday 8th May
If you missed Studs, you
missed out! Whilst Hull City prepare for the play-offs, we are mourning
the departure of the Studs cast and crew; what an outrageously funny
and wild ride it brought to our April! The corridors were filled with
football chants - the production laundry room full to bursting with
football kits - as Studs went down a storm with the press and public
alike; “The production was excellent, one of the funniest I
have seen. The acting was first class, and the sets very cleverly
designed”.
April also saw the return of top Scot comedian Lucy Porter, who treated
us to a night of a spectacular stand-up with her brand new show Love
In – in her third visit to Hull Truck. If you missed it, check
out www.lucyporter.co.uk for details of further tour dates/venues.
And talking of the funny stuff, we’ve got another great Comedy
Sunday coming up this weekend (Sunday 11th May); The Impotent
Fury of the Privileged from the legendary Daniel Kitson. Kitson has something
of a cult following around these parts, so it’s no surprise
that the gig is completely sold out! 
Since
February this year, our production of
Jim Cartwright’s
Two has been wowing audiences on national tour
across the UK, and now makes its final stop here
at Hull Truck.
(6-24 May)
Under the
slick direction of Nick Lane, actors Rob Hudson (Wilde Boyz, Satin ‘N’ Steel,
A Kick in the Baubles) and Julie Higginson (Perfect
Pitch, Sold, Wilde Boyz) - both firm Hull Truck
favourites - have won rave reviews and
moved thousands to tears and laughter with their
performances in this sharply observed portrayal
of pub life up North.
(Right:
Julie and Rob acting their socks off on the set
of Two, designed by
Graham Kirke.)
Remaining on
stage throughout the entire show and playing an
astounding fourteen characters,
the pair have proven their awesome acting talents;
with great energy, versatility, sweat
and skill, they truly stunned our audiences …
Whilst Joanne and Adrian Howells, audience members at Crewe, though it " an extremely well acted, thought provoking and emotional play..the emotional outpouring by the actors was amazing!" Click here to read more audience comments
Neither actor
is a stranger to these parts - or each other, as
they have previously co-starred
as far back as Little Voice back in 2001,
and as recently as Wilde Boyz in 2007. In
just the past few years, they have both
proven their versatility; Rob appearing in
everything from comic romps (A Kick In
the Baubles and Wilde Boyz), a Shakespearean
thriller (Macbeth), to John Godber's 2006
festive hit Christmas
Crackers - Julie in our Spring 2007 UK tour of the classic
comedy Perfect Pitch, harrowing Wilberforce
drama Sold, and even as a storyteller
in Truck Tales! And now, if indeed it were ever in any
doubt, the
duos' success in Two has firmly sealed
their status as Hull Truck favourites. Click
here for more information and to book for Two
Friday 18th April
STAGS, STUDS AND
MAGIC MELONS!
It’s been far too
long since my last blog. What’s been
going on since then? Where to begin…
Well, April began with the Hull Truck Youth Theatre’s awesome production of Willy Russell’s classic comedy, Stags & Hens: The Remix. The talented young cast delivered truly remarkable performances; strong, slick and side-splittingly funny - dazzling on the Hull Truck stage like true pros!
Playing to packed houses each night,
a staggering 87% of available tickets we sold
for the show; which prompted rapturous applause
and rave reviews from our delighted audiences.
In fact, we received a record number of audience
reviews via the website, including;
"A fantastic start, brilliant show and unbelievable ending.
I would be first in the queue if this comes back; congratulations
to all concerned. " Jonathon Adams
"Outstanding entertainment and an amazing group of young actors, this was as good as any main stream theatre I have seen... Give these teenagers a crack at the professional plays they are such a talent !!!!!!!!!!!" Morris
Click
here to read more rave reviews!
Left: The 'Hens' photographed by Louise Buckby
To follow this triumphant start,
a brand new production of Gordon
Steel’s comedy Studs kicked
off last Thursday 10th April, and it's already
proving to be another real winner with our
audiences! Deftly directed by Nick Lane, the
show stars top Geordie actor David MacCreedy,
new face Frazer Hammill, and the lovely Liz
Carney (last seen here in 2006 in Amanda Whittington’s Satin
N Steel); alongside regular Hull Truck actors
Amy Thompson and Rob Angell – who is spectacular as ever,
as team manager Ronnie.
But
don’t be put off if football
isn’t your game; this play
focuses much more on the offside, off-the-pitch
antics of these Sunday league studs and their ‘WAGS’,
than on their passions for the beautiful game!
What with mad-fer-it man-eater Mandy and cute
but clueless Kylie away for a weekend of ‘shopping’ in
Scarborough, and the lads off for a weekend of ‘golf’ in
Whitby, it’s anyone’s guess who’s going to end up
on top!!
More Shameless than Footballers’ Wives,
if you’re after
a raucous night out, don’t miss Studs at Truck this Spring!
Showing
now until Sat 3rd May – click here to book
Right: Goalllllllll! Studs production shot
byLouise Buckby
Offstage, we’re all getting excited about the imminent return of two of our favourite actors, Rob Hudson and Julie Higginson; returning to Truck in Two on Tues 6th May. The pair have been stunning audiences out on UK tour since early February, and we’re all looking forward to welcoming them back home and toasting to another huge Hull Truck success!
Before that though, we’ve
got the first in this season’s
line-up of Trucktacular
Truck Tales tomorrow (Sat 19th April, 2pm). This show’s theme
is Food
Glorious Food, so we’re all set for an afternoon of
tasty tales, jokes and grub-related games! In
this latest edition of this massively popular
show, the Gang leader ‘Nick
Nuggety Lane’ will be joined by fellow storystars ‘Lee
Gourmet Green’ and ‘Amy Chomps-em’ - a tasty trio
indeed! Apparently, the show will also feature
a Magic Melon; in fact, I think
that’s him at the door now………….
BONKERS
BONNETS!
Fri 29th Feb
Challenging
our Associate Artistic Director Nick Lane to cram as many chocolate
eggs in to
his mouth as possible whilst wearing a chicken hat isn't something
I anticipated to form part of my job here at Truck, but yesterday
my colleague Alice and I were doing just that; undertaking an in-house
photoshoot for the launch of our Spring/Summer 2008 season
of Truck Tales!
Yes, the brand new series of our smash-hit storytelling shows kicks
off with an Easter Eggstravaganza
on Sat 22nd March;
hence
we felt it appropriate for this launch picture to feature two members
of our very own storytellling supertroupe, The Trucktacular Gang!
Founded and led by Nick Lane, the next show performed by the gang
- Funny Food on Sat 19th April
- will also star our
very own Education Assistant Lee Green; both
of whom I'm sure were delighted to be around
in the office for us to use, abuse and dress up like Easter idiots,
all in the name of good old-fashioned publicity!
As well as a bucket-load of new stories, this
'eggsciting' Easter event will also include a Bonkers
Easter Bonnet Competition after the show - hence the headgear! (Lee's
colourful number, in case you're
wondering, is actually an IKEA Xmas wreath!!). Youngsters are invited
to get crafty and fashion a funky bonnet from
unusual
materials
at
home,
then bring
it along ready for a parade and judging after the show; the bearer
of the silliest, most striking and inventive bonnet will win a top
prize!
If the eggscellent design and dressing-up skills that I've seen showcased
in Truck
Tales competitions over that past two years is anything to go
by, we're in for a truly trucktacular treat!
Click here to book for the Easter show today!
Images above: Trucktacular Gang leader Nick Lane
proving his egg-eating prowess (top), and below with gang member
Lee Green,
in the selected publicity shot for the new season.
COFFINS, CHOCOLATE
FOUNTAINS & THE NEW SEASON!
Friday 22nd February 2008
With On A
Shout coming
to a storming end last Saturday, it's all gone a little quiet here
at Truck, as we eagerly await the launch of our next show , Honeymoon
Suite on
Thurs 28th February - and the FREE CHOCOLATE
FOUNTAIN before the show on Tues 4th March!!
After a hectic few weeks, the new Spring/Summer 2008
season brochure is about to 'hit' the public masses and as usual
we await, amid an eerie calm, for the Box Office phones to go crazy
with calls from Truckers old and new - eager to bag the best seats
for our sizzling new selection of shows! Yes, we're in the middle
of a rare 'dark week' (when there are no shows on stage and the production
team have a good clearout!); which makes for a silently-sinister
atmosphere throughout
the building...made even spookier by the presence
of two coffins in the corridor - which seem to have been unearthed
from somewhere
deep within the props
department...!
However, we're expecting a frenzied few weeks in the Box Office, especally
as this
is our last
Spring season at Spring Street - this time next year we'll
be
in
our brand
new building
on Ferensway!
It's my job to say so, but we've got some fantastic shows on stage
over the coming months. My must-sees include;
Talking
Pants
stand-up comedy for kids, on Wed 26th March (an
intriguing premise indeed!), comedian Daniel Kitson on Sun
11th May (who's
already selling out fast thanks to his huge cult following in Hull),
our Youth Theatre's production of Stags & Hens opening
on Wed 2nd April (Willy Russell's remix
of his legendary comedy),
Jim Cartwright's Two (out
now on national tour), and all of the spectacular new Truck
Tales storytelling shows, especially the Easter
Eggstravaganza on Sat 22nd March - when I'll definitely
be donning some suitably silly headgear for the 'Bonkers Bonnet Parade'!
Another one on the hitlist is John Godber's acclaimed
comedy,
Our House, which is currently taking Britain
by storm on UK tour, before heading home
to Truck on Tues 3rd June. With
a cast
including legendary
Yorkshire
actor Dicken
Ashworth
- AKA
Bob
Hope's
Dad in Emmerdale! -
and regular Truck actors Fiona Wass and Matthew Booth, this
brand new production of a play that wowed the critics during its
premiere
run back in 2002 - including a five star rating from
The Guardian - is guaranteed to delight both
seasoned and unseasoned Truckers!
Right now though, we're all raring to go for the launch of Honeymoon
Suite next
Thurs 28th Feb. In between
rehearsals, whilst the set has been taking shape here at Truck, the
cast have been out and
about doing local press interviews, including a
preview piece on last night's edition of BBC Look North. Unsurprisingly,
its young star Marc Pickering has generated a lot of media interest;
with everyone wanting to know what it was like to act alongside
Johnny Depp in Tim
Burton's hit film, Sleepy Hollow(really
good fun and Johnny even bought his some chips - in case you're
wondering...!)
Click here to read more on Honeymoon Suite, and be sure to book in
early - especially if you're planning to come on Tues 4th for the
FREE CHOCOLATE FOUNTAIN...!!
Below: Stars of Honeymoon Suite (left to right)Thea
Rowland, Marc Pickering, Meriel Scholfield and Martin Barass at a
press photocall
at the Quality
Royal Hotel.
PREPARING
FOR DEPARTURE....
Friday 18th January 2008
On
A Shout director Gareth Tudor
Price, writer Dave Windass and cast over at Spurn Point Lifeboat
station, January 2007
It may be mid-January already,
but Christmas is only just coming to an end here at Truck; as we prepare
to say farewell to festivities at the final performance of Nick Lane's
Blue Cross Xmas tomorrow night. The show has
had a cracking run and gone down a storm with our audiences accross
the region, so
it
will
be sad to see the back of smelly young Barry, our hero Des, and
all
the other colourful staff and customers at the 'Jasper & Yates'
Department Store!
Speaking of Nick Lane, as well as leading the mighty
Trucktacular Gang in the recent Truck Tales "Weird
Weather" show,
the master writer-director-madman has been busy getting ready
to direct our Summer 2008 touring production of Jim Cartwright's
play Two. In
fact, he's downstairs holding the final audititions as we speak! Preparing
the programme for the play, 'a sharply-observed comedy about
Northern pub life' heading out on national tour on 20th February,
has given us
the perfect
opportunity to test our Pub Quiz knowledge! For example, did you know
that, in Newfoundland, Pork Scratchings are referred to as 'Scrunchies'?!
(Neither did we!) Trivia aside, we can't wait
to see this show on the road...
Another production busy in rehearsal before it Trucks off on
tour on 3rd February, is John Godber's Our
House. Its cast members
- currently beavering away down at our Beverley Road rehearsal rooms
- include two stars of our smash-hit 2007 comedy My Favourite
Summer; the lovely Fiona Wass
(star of hit BBC series Grown Ups) and Hull Truck
regular Matthew
Booth (the former Emmerdale postie last seen in our
Autumn 07 tour of Bouncers), as well as legendary
Yorkshire actor Dicken Ashworth - AKA
Bob Hope's
Dad in Emmerdale (and more importantly, 'Mr Mulch' in
Wallace and Gromit film, The Curse of the Weir Rabbit!!)
Click here for further details about our Two and Our
House summer tours
On the home front, we're getting set for a stormy
ride at the world premiere of Dave Windass's breathtaking new Lifeboat
drama On A Shout, next Thursday 24th January.
The production, following the lives of an East Yorkshire lifeboat crew
and the dangers
they face on every
mission, features stunning audiovisual
effects and a cracking cast of six; including Macbeth star
David Barrass (who appeared in the recent Skoda adverts), acclaimed
actor Edward
Peel (who starred in our 2006 production of Toast -
and made us some fantastic cakes whilst he was at it!!), and Coronation
Street star Richard Standing - formerly Sally Webster’s
bit of fluff, Nicky!
The RNLI have been fuly behind the production from the
word go; with Coxswain and crew over at Spurn Point welcoming writer
Dave during his early research, and later meeting with cast
and Director
just as rehearsals got underway earlier this month (see picture below).
As well as coming along to enjoy and support the show, representatives
from the RNLI will also be fundraising for the charity with collections
after each Friday and Saturday perofrmance throughout the run. As fate
would have it, the show's launch coincides with
the
RNLI's national
SOS day, so we're hoping to raise key awareness and support - for both
their organisation and our storming new drama, On A Shout!
Click
here for dates and to book online for On A Shout
Check out writer
Dave Windass's 'Captain's Blog' for On A Shout insider info
WOLFY v LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD - LET BATTLE COMMENCE!
Friday 30th November
Hurrah - It's Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiistmas!
The lights are on, the turkeys are getting scared,
and there are only 24 shopping days left until
we'll all be sat sprawled on our sofas, stuffed
full of sweets and sprouts, festering away in front
of this year's must (or must not)-see festive TV!
Even better though, there are only a few days left
until Hull Truck's festive season kicks off, with
the opening of the world premiere comedy, Blue
Cross Xmas (Thurs 6th Dec) and this year's seasonal
family spectacular, Little
Red Riding Hood (Mon 10th Dec)!
Whilst Nick
Lane, cast and crew have all been beavering away
in rehearsals for Blue
Cross Xmas down at Beverley
Road (click here to view behind-the-scenes
pics), actors Marc Bolton and Amy Thompson have
been bounding around the place here at Truck,
as they rehearse on stage for Little
Red Riding Hood!
Marc's
certainly got his work cut out for him, as
he's rehearsing for Wolfy by day, and playing
a Bouncer by night; having been on UK tour
in our 30th Anniversary production of Bouncers
since September (click here to read
his Bouncers blog). Thankfully though, Marc
seems to have the same ferocious
energy levels as a Wolf (no doubt enhanced
by his mammoth, wolf-size meaty meals of multipack
sausage rolls!), so I have no doubt that he
will deliver in delighting
(and probably scaring!) our audiences of Little
Red Riding Hood!
As well as rehearsing (and eating!), Amy and
Marc have also been out and about meeting the
local press. As
the play is centred around the trial of the
big bad wolf, (which sees Wolfy and Little
Red argue their cases in front of Judge Fudge
of the fairytale court!), we thought it only
fair - and fitting - that we send them to the
old court room Hull's Guildhall for a photocall....
As
well as the pictures/press activity, we've
been busy producing the show's programme; including
asking its stars to answer
a few very important questions...
The best thing about Xmas is…
Nick: Opening my Advent Calendar and
seeing a picture of a toboggan!
Gareth: Giving presents, Christmassy smells,
and Christmas dinner.
Amy: Being with your family and the
excitement of seeing if Santa has been!
Marc: Eating tons of turkey!
Emma: Getting to see all my family.
The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done:
Nick: Pouring yoghurt over my sister’s head!
Gareth: Me? Naughty? Never!
Amy: Nothing. Naughty people don’t get
presents from Santa, and I get loads! Heehee!
Marc: I’ve never done anything naughty. I’m
entirely innocent. Honest!
Emma: Hunted out my Christmas presents!
Sprouts, satsumas or sweets?
Nick: Sprouts are giant bogies, sweets make
me sick, so I vote satsumas!
Gareth: Sprouts, Sprouts, Sprouts every time!
Amy: Mmm..tough choice. I love Fruit & Veg,
cos I’m a good girl, but sweets are amazing too!
Marc: Sprouts – bleurgh! Satsumas – too
fiddly! Sweets – now you’re talking!
Emma: Little Red - Satsumas, sweets then
sprouts - in that order!"
Little Red or Wolfy to win?
Nick: Little Red; Wolfy is BAAAAAAAD!
Gareth: Can’t really say; I’m the director and supposed to be on
both their sides !!
Amy: Little Red, of course! Don’t trust Wolfy; he stinks of cabbages!
Marc: Wolfy – OOOOWWWOOOOO!
Emma: Little Red - Wolfy's mean!
But who do YOU think should win the Trial
of the Big Bad Wolf?
WOLFY V RED: Who wins? You decide!
Get your festive feet down to Little Red Riding
Hood to vote your winner!
Click here for details/to book
HULL
TRUCK YOUTH THEATRE TAKE OVER WESTMINSTER!
Monday 22nd October
Last Friday, after
being invited by Rt Hon. John Prescott MP, our very own Youth Theatre
took parliament by storm with a special performance
of their
stunning
Wilberforce
production
Slavers!
As well as the performance, the talented 'yoof' also mananged to fit
in a trip on the London Eye, a visit to the Globe Theatre, the Tate
Modern,
AND a tour around the city on big red bus, before
returning home, tired and triumphant on a trusty Hull Trains train!
By all accounts (I was stuck here in the office!) a memorable trip
and a remarkable achievement for one and all involved; congratulations!
Also, a big 'blog' thank
you to all
those
who
supported
the
event; The
Mayor of London, John Prescott, The British Council, Hull Trains and
Hull KR - THANK YOU!
A word from Hull
Truck's brilliant Bella Tristram, Director of Slavers...
"The
final performance of Slavers which took place in the House of Commons
last
Friday was an absolute Triumph! We not only received
good feedback from the staff & audience in Westminster but all
the cast seemed to thoroughly enjoy the eventful
day!
I'd like to sincerely thank everybody who has contributed to this project and also to those of you who have had to put up with a stressed Bella over the past few weeks - all the hard work has paid off!
I am so grateful and none of this
would have been possible without your support.
We can now enjoy the fact that Hull
Truck Theatre is the first theatre company to ever
perform in the House of Commons! Many thanks,
Bella."
The
Slavers crew midflight in a London Eye 'pod' (left) and performing
inside Westminster on Friday 19th October 2007 (right).
MONSTER
JOBS & JOKES AT A TRUCKTACULAR TRUCK TALES!
Monday
24th September
I'm gutted. Another weekend is over, but worse still;
another Trucktacular Truck Tales is over too! Still, at least it means
that the stonking new Autumn/Winter season is now well underway, and
there's ONLY THREE WEEKS to go until the next one - hurray! (The
Tale of Robin Hood, with Michael Dacre - Sat 13th Oct. As a fan of
the original 'hoody', I can't wait for this one!)
Monster Jobs, as with all other Truck Tales
shows presented by Nick Lane's legendary Trucktacular Gang, was an awesome,
action-packed
performance; crammed full of stories, jokes and nonsense all about the
weird and wonderful world of work! As a special extra, we'd
invited children to bring an object to put in a 'bonkers briefcase',
for the gang to use as props in crazy new tale. We were delighted
and inundated with all kinds of bizarre and strange items, but the
star objects of the story were; a mini monkey with symbols (which possessed
secret powers to help restore Fiddlestick's fairy wings), a toilet roll
(used
by
Pedlar
Maureen to bargain with the story's hero, 'Loony Lee') and some fake poo - I
forget
what this was for, but it was very, very funny!
And, as usual, the bucket of jokes was passed around the audience at
the
interval
and, as usual, the gang pulled out some corking jokes! If you missed the show,
here's
just
a
selection
of the silliness...
"Did you see the fight in the
Chippy? Two fish got battered!"
"Why did the Helicoptor land on the roof? Because
they left the landing lights on?" (Ellie)
"What do Pirates say at the end of a prayer? Arrrrrrrmen!"
(Alice)
"What do sea monsters like to eat? Fish and
ships!"
"What is the stupidest animal in the jungle? The
Polar Bear!" (Georgia)
"Why
did the prawn leave the disco? Because he pulled
a mussell!" (Harry)
"Why
did the banana go to the doctor? It wasn't peeling
very well!" (Alicia)
"What is smelly and solves mysteries? Scooby Poo!"
(Kitty)
With so much fun and frolics in store, it's hardly
surprising that tickets are selling out very fast for
each show coming up this Truck Tales season, so
grab your seat for Robin Hood, the Halloween
Spooktacular, Weird Weather and A
Lovely Chinese New Year while you can!
Click here for more info
Our Associate Director
Nick Lane, leader of the Trucktacular Gang,
dressed up for a Truck Tales publicity shoot . (Please note: He is far more smiley
and far less scary than he looks!!)
ALL
SET FOR ADVENTURE ON NEVILLE'S ISLAND..
Tuesday
11th September
Only
a few days to go until we're
dining on soggy pizza with
four middle-aged, middle
managers, shipwrecked on Neville's
Island! It
seems like it's been a long
time coming; what with the
Autumn/Winter brochure launched
back
in July, followed by the lull of the theatre's 'dark period' (eg. when
everyone takes there holidays
and
production
staff
have to
do a mammoth bi-annual clearout backstage!).
Needless to say, the theatre
came to life (as well as when staff returned from their holidays
aglow with 'Ready Brek' tans!), when our fantastic Youth Theatre setting
the stage on fire with their stunning performance of the world premiere
Wilberforce production, Slavers. The outstanding
efforts and talent of all involved in this challenging project shone
forth for all to see, and the show provoked
a fantastic response in the public and press alike. Personally, I was
moved, mesmerised and also quite terrified; chilled by the glares
of our (ordinarly smiley and lovely) 'yoof' theatre; transformed into
the
menacing, evil-eyed
traders of 'Slave World'.
And so, from Slavers to shipwreckers we
move as we set sail for Neville's Island and
the start of our Autumn/Winter 07-08 season. We've
packed our compasses, walking
boots
and kendal
mint cake
and are
ready to get lost with Captain Neville and co. on a foggy Island on Derwentwater.
And if the sucess of the 30th Anniversary production of
Bouncers
- currently on tour accross the UK - is anything
to
go by, this other award-winning
four-hander, Neville's Island is set to go
down a storm in the Humber...!
17th
August 2007
HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY
BOUNCERS
The Men In Black are back!
John
Godber's multi award-winning international classic Bouncers celebrated
its 30th Birthday this Wednesday. The iconic play was first performed
at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on 15th August 1977. As legend has it,
the 'production' starred John
Godber himself, tickets cost a stellar 50p, and it played to a grand
audience of two people (one of whom left half way through)!
Fast forward thirty years and we're celebrating three decades of the
groundbreaking work; an established classic which, thanks to its
timeless and universal appeal, continues to be peformed, studied and
enjoyed the world over.
So what did we do
to mark this historic occasion? We celebrated with coffee
and muffins with the new cast and creative team behind our 30th Anniversary
production of the play, who are now busy rehearsing and packing their
socks and undies ready to head out on UK tour in September!
Marc Bolton,
Matt Booth, Jack Brady and James Hornsby make up the cracking new cast of
Men In Black; all wildly excited
to
be part of this extra-special landmark production. Marc
is the only 'virgin Bouncer' - among old hats Matt, Jack and James -
and we're
expecting big things from the man who wowed us with his magnificent
Hull Truck debut as 'madman' Melvin in My Favourite Summer back in Spring.
You may have spotted Marc popping in and out of Emmerdale this
week, up to no good driving a drunken Carl King around, acting as family
accomplice Dean Morris. And now you can catch him on the
road as Bouncer
Ralph -
coming
to a town
near you!
Bouncers 30th Anniversary
Tour details
GOODBYE SWEET GINA
HOBBS!
25th July 2007
Wow - two Truck
blogs in two days; aren't you lucky!
This is just another quick one to say a fond and final farewell
to the formidable Gina Hobbs - who leaves her role as Hull Truck Press
Officer today
- bound for a sunny new life in Withernsea!
We're all suffering with 'curry hangover' today, following Gina's
send-off last night at our local Indian; a hilarious night which featured,
not one but THREE pieces of cracking performance poetry! Including a
few choice lines from myself, the only publishable ones being:
Actress, Poet, Cat-lover Extraordinaire
Press Officer – now Reporter – with the flame red hair
Gina Hobbs, you’re one
of a kind;
With your boundless energy and creative mind
Gina Hobbs – you’re a bloody superstar!
Gina; thank you for brightening up our days with your moments of marvellous madness!
Gina (third right) in the office...and HT staff - post-curry at her leaving do last night!
BOLTON BOUNCES BACK!
24th July 2007
Just a quick post to share our excitement here at Truck following the recent casting of "the excellent Marc Bolton" in our forthcoming 30th Anniversary Tour of John Godber's acclaimed comedy classic, Bouncers!
Marc absolutely wowed us in My Favourite Summer back in Spring; his performance as Melvin the psychotic Scaffolding Factory worker was a hit with the press and public alike; winning high critical acclaim with his Hull Truck debut...
" Melvin is played with admirable directness and raw, bruising humour" The Stage
" The excellent Marc Bolton is appallingly amusing **** " What's On Stage
Marc's a great guy, a top actor, and he's bound to make a cracking Bouncer.
He's set to head out on national tour with the other lads (Jack Brady, James Hornsby and a yet to be confirmed fourth) in September, and tickets for the last leg of the tour - the Hull Truck homecoming - in November/December are selling out fast, so book early!
Click here for more info
Talking of bands of burly men, Gordon Steel's Wilde Boyz have been performing to sellout audiences over the past few weeks, keeping us all highly-entertained with their on stage 'man band' antics, musical numbers and 'diverse' collection of costumes (blue toothbrush outfit, sequined red mini dresses...)
And today, several members of Hull Truck staff went to pay a visit to another band of men; the barrage of builders currently working on the site of our new Ferensway venue! The work is taking shape nicely, but there is still a long way to go before I'll be buying my lunch at the new Hull Truck bar!
I was on site myself last week, and I have to say that it was all quite exciting - and terrifying at the same time! Eve retrieved this pic of the site today, so you can see for yourself what's going on....
The new Hull Truck Theatre: today.....and one day!
Wednesday 4th July
May your Fairy Wishes come true!
Another month gone and another spectacular edition of our 'trucktastic' storytelling show Truck Tales went off with a bang! Our old favourite storyteller 'crazy Chris Bostock' led an afternoon of family fun and frolics, telling tales of fairies, sprites and a whole load of other magical creatures, at this special 'Midsummer Magic' show. In the belief (hope at least!), that if I blog them they will come true, here are just some of the Fairy Wishes made by children and placed into the Magic Storybox at the show....
Charlotte would like all the fairies to have nice homes and be happy
Olivia wishes for a motorbike
Niamh would like a Merit Badge
Paige would like a pet
Katie wishes for a puppy
James, Alice, Jess and Molly would all like to fly
Holly would like another dog
Somebody (unnamed) wishes for their sister to be healthy - get well soon!
Rebecca would like some fairy boots
Skye would like to be a Princess
Jared wishes for a Nintendo Wii and to be a wizard!
Holly wishes the war would stop
Other things wished for: A baby brother, a visit from a fairy, pony, more Ice Cream, a genie lamp, TV in bedroom, car, dress, strong wings for a fairy, a magic broomstick, to meet Cinderella Sleeping Beauty Snow White and Piglet, a ruby, treasure chest, rocket, cricket bat, and a technicolour dreamcoat!
May all your Fairy Wishes come true!
(Mine wish is obviously that the next Truck Tales comes around quickly!! (July 28th in case you're interested - the last one of the season! more info)
Thursday 21st June
If you go down to the woods today....
'Neville' (Education Assistant Lee Green) captured by Louise Buckby on the Neville's Island photoshoot over at Hessle Foreshore - Friday 15th June 2007.
As ever, it's been a busy few weeks (hence no blogging for a while!), and - although it sounds like a naff marketing line - it really is such an exciting time to be involved with Truck! Whilst Crown Prince has been wowing the critics on stage - **** The Guardian - and the Wilde Boyz and PlayWrite Festival folks have been busy in rehearsals, up here in Marketing we've been busy perfecting the design of our new Autumn/Winter 07-08 brochure, which was (much to our relief) finally sent to print yesterday! The glossy finished article - which I for one am incredibly proud of - will be launched officially at Wilde Boyz on July 6th, so let us know what you think!
Not that we've not had lots of fun with making it as well....
As fate would have it, we had chosen last Friday - the day of the Great Flood - as the only possible day for the photo shoot for Neville's Island. The conditions were perfect for conjuring the atmosphere of a play often described as a 'Comedy in Thick Fog', but not really ideal for photography purposes - or our poor Lee Green, ( Education superstar-cum-inhouse supermodel!) Any sane person would probably have called it off, but not us plucky Truckers!
In the name of marketing and all things theatrical, Eve, Gareth, photographers Louise and Carl, and 'Neville' (Lee), headed to the woods on Hessle foreshore; armed with a paddle, a cold sausage and all manner of other camping paraphernalia! Needless to say, despite getting a little wet, they got a cracking shot for the brochure, and I'm told great fun was had by all! (Especially Gareth, who always gets well into the spirit of these things!)
See the evidence of our woodland escapades for yourselves next week, when tickets for the new Autumn Winter 07-08 season go on sale exclusively online! See / book it here first!
(Brochure out Friday 6th July)
Thursday
17th May
LEE & CLAIRE IN A SULLY-BASED
SCRUM!
Having
just launched a cracking competition for two lucky Truckers to win signed
Hull FC and/or Hull KR shirts (above), I couldn't resist making an
additional reference and posting of the stunning 'prize modelling'
work done by my colleagues
in Education Lee Green and Claire Newlove! (Click here for competition
details)
Despite having recently celebrated her birthday, unfortunately for Claire
she wasn't allowed to keep the shirt - although she did do
a pretty good scrum for it!
Aside from all this Rugby shirt-based shenanigans, Sully's going
fantastically; it's great to see such a fantastic story brought to life
on stage - a truly emotive and gripping experience that all those who
are lucky (and quick!) enough to see it will never forget! (Click
here for info/to book online)
I can't believe it's nearly June! It'll be a month of 'firsts' for us,
what with the world premiere production of John Godber's Crown
Prince followed by the first ever PlayWrite
Festival; featuring three brand new Wilberforce-inspired
plays, written by nine new writers! Sadly, we can't offer you red carpets
at these premieres, but what we can promise you - as ever - is
a stunning piece of theatre and a cracking night out!
Another big bit of news with regards our summer programme of shows (just
before I go off to Leeds to attend an networking event all about
SMS marketing!), is that our Humber
Mouth Literature Festival line-up
has just been announced (Fri 29th & Sat 30th June), and features none
other than 'top TV psychiatrist' Raj Persaud!! As a fan of This
Morning back
in my student days, I for one am highly excited about meeting (or at least
sitting within breathing
distance!) such a famous face here at Truck, and I'd advise everyone wishing
to join me to book now while you can!
Wednesday
9th May
BOWLS, BALLS AND BANK HOLIDAYS!
We're always grateful for a Bank Holiday,
but it just means there's even more going on/to do when we get back! Yes, you
guessed; it's been
another frantic
few weeks..
We're
all geared up for the summer thanks to Amanda Whittington's phenomenal
Ladies Down Under, which closed last week after a sell-out three week
run! Personally, I'm not sure what was more amazing; 'chav Queen'
Shelle's collection of Burberry suitcases or Damien Warren Smith's (AKA surf
bum Shane)
buff torso..All I can say is - 'corrrr ripper'!!
Damien and his Ladies Down Under co-star Lucy also proved their acting versatility
and gameness for a laugh when they performed at the Truck Tales animal-themed
'Beastly Bonanza back in April; bounding around on stage in front of hundreds
of kids along
with
show
creator Nick Lane, appearing as a multitude of strange creatures and characters,
including
Sheila
the snooty 'hook-a-duck' duck and Princess Lucy of Hull!
But now the lovely Ladies have jetted off and the theatre is in the grip of a
sporting frenzy; with Rugby and Crown Green bowling being the basis of the next
two plays, Sully and Crown Prince. Sport however, forms merely the basis of these
shows, (good job for me, as I'm not particularly athletic!) and there is far
more to both than just balls and bowls!
In fact, having sat in with the cast and writer/director John Godber on the first
ever read-through of his brand new script, it's clear that Crown Green is more
about
global
Green issues than it is about shenanigans down the local Crown Green Bowling
Club!
Even from this first read I was genuinely 'bowled over' (pardon the pun!), and
I can confidently say Crown Prince is Godber at his best, and destined to be
a classic; a genuinely fascinating and incredibly funny play, that I for one
can't
wait
to
see on
stage...
Oh and one more thing; Happy Belated Birthday to Mr Steven Jon Atkinson - Hull Truck's lovely Literary Development Manager - 107 last Friday!
TFI Friday 20th April!
Having attended a MEDIASNACKERS training course over in Leeds, all about Vodcasts, Podcasts, RSS, Instant Messaging etc. I've realised just how scarily-fast technology is moving these days, and am going to make a concerted effort to step up the rate of Hull Truck's blogging to at least once a week!
Yes, apparently it's not just cyber-savvy 'yoof of today' who are busy blogging; it seems the entire world has gone mad for it! Including our enterprising Marketing Assistant Jen, who was beavering away behind my back yesterday to create this very fine blog...DB
The temperature in the office is starting rise with the warm weather, which is in good timing for our new production Ladies Down Under. Yes, we have had surfboards and aeroplane seats randomly scattered around the workshop and it is getting us in the mood for Pimms and shrimps on the ‘barbie’.
Pat (Senior Administrator) wore jeans to work on 19th Apr for the first time! She looked pretty good in them too!
Fidel Nanton is back to play Clive Sullivan in Sully, a play by Dave Windass about the Rugby legend in May. We last saw Fidel in Macbeth, at Hull Truck late last year. Martin Barrass is set to co-direct Sully alongside Gareth Tudor Price. Martin Barrass is a long time ‘Trucker and recently appeared in Richard Bean’s smash hit Toast.Its marketing tools at dawn in the office right now!
The fight for Lucy’s desk ended when Dulcie (Marketing Officer) turned her back for a moment and I made her move. It was very underhanded too! Dulcie is currently plotting her revenge …. We’ll keep you posted.
We need to give props to the Education team and the Hull Truck Youth Theatre for their amazing musical adaptation of Animal Farm. The acting was truly outstanding from all; we have a few new James McAvoys and Kiera Knightleys on our hands! We’ll be seeing them in The Best Newcomer categories at the big film awards in the near future, we’re sure of it! It is always great to see Ruby Thompson, who narrated, giving a wonderful performance as a hen and Michael Burton making a guest appearance as Old Major, an excellent actor. Kurt Tobin was fantastic as Napoleon, one of the lead roles, even though he was accidentally missed off the programme cast list … oops … sorry Kurt! We also want to say a big thank you to Michael Phillips for assisting with the musical arranging as well as acting
The ladies in the office have been lunching at Lamp quite a lot recently. A perfect venue for a pre-theatre meals too and the food and service is fantastic. Lamp tends to be a hot spot for all Hull Truck staff; if we are not in the office or on the stage, you can generally find us propping up their bar! Speaking of which, its nearly lunch time …. JM
14th March
2007
Toast and Granny Bracken Cake!
Oh dear; I really should make more effort to
update this blog regularly! Surprise surprise though (and I'll say this every
time); we've been VERY busy! Even more so now that our lovely Lucy (former
Corporate Development Officer) has swanned off to a lovely new life in Newcastle!
I would say it's been quieter without her, but thankfully we've got the lads
from Toast stomping around the place (as well as
the odd Pigeon fight on the office roof !) As well as 'making theatrical magic'
on stage, the Toast boys have been mucking around
the Green Room; making lots of noise, lovely-smelling ready meals, and bizarrely,
bringing us cakes!
Perhaps
they think we write
the reviews..which, incidentally, have been spectacular;
With only one week left until closing, Toast has
earnt a very deserving ****
rating from The Guardian, and won high critical
acclaim - eg. "Toast is a savagely funny play and here is
an appropriately vigorous production." The Stage
You'd think all this praise would've gone to the lads' heads, and yet
they still keep bringing us cake! (Thank you, Mr Paul Popplewell, for today's
Chocolate Chip Loaves!)
Anyone reading over the history of this blog would think we have a bit of an
obsession with cake here at Truck (see My Favourite Summer - Ice Cream Cone
Cake!), and actually maybe we do...
Yesterday, our Angela (Touring Co-Ordinator)
circulated a secret recipe for 'Granny Bracken Banana Cake' ,
we've just had one of our 'Coffee and Cake Matinees' (get
a hot drink and a muffin for just £1!) this afternoon, AND we've
had the aforementioned choc cake from Paul!
What's more, this Saturday 17th March, we'll
be dishing up pieces of an enormous celebration cake at the GRAND SEASON PREMIERE
of Truck Tales!
Cake aside, I'm looking forward to seeing the results of our Mother's
Day Masquerade after Saturday's Truck Tales, which
I'll be judging along with our top new storyteller Michael Dacre! We've been
astounded by the results of previous
Truck Tales dress-up competitions - by the efforts
and talents that have gone into them - and I'm sure this Saturday won't disappoint....
22nd February
2007
Everything's gone dark...
Here at Truck we've entered that strange
period between shows, otherwise known as the theatrical 'dark period' . Things
have all gone a bit quiet now My Favourite Summer has ended (and Melvin has
left
the
building!)
and gone off on its tour of the UK; quiet, that is, apart from the constant
ringing of phones in Box Office and the production team banging away building
Richard Foxton's fantastic (70's Bread Factory staff
room) set - ready for the opening of Toast next Thursday
(1st March)!
With the new season of shows selling out fast, and after such a cracking critical
and public reception for My Favourite Summer (acclaimed
as "a
blissfully funny rites of passage comedy" by The
Telegraph and rated FOUR STARS by The Times
and What's On Stage), our brand new 'piece of Toast' looks
set to take Hull Truckers by storm next week!
And, as I'll probably say in each blog entry, we've been very busy up here
in Marketing! Hence why it's taken me this long to post the comments made by
Jenna Hall; the lovely Drama student from Chichester University we had here
on Work Experience a couple of weeks ago. So here they are..
"Before I began my work placement here at Hull Truck, I had a little knowledge
of the theatre as I had studied John Godber on several occasions. I came up
with a high level of enthusiasm about working here and learning more about
how a successful theatre company operates and I feel I have learnt a lot. Everyone
I have come into contact with has been more than helpful and I hope I have
been more than helpful in return.
Working in the marketing department has opened my eyes to the other side of
theatre, which I was not so aware of. I have always been a performer and was
excited about facing a new challenge. And that I have done with the help of
the marketing team, the production team and by even being lucky enough to watch
Richard Bean and Gareth Tudor Price in rehearsals as well as press situations.
To be honest, I was quite honoured to be sitting in on the rehearsals of Toast,
even if I did feel a bit silly just sitting there looking like I was just being
nosey!
I was able to see My Favourite Summer whilst I was here and I thought it was
brilliant, so Dulcie, I am in full agreement with you! An amazing cast and
clearly fantastic directing, I laughed throughout and will be making my university
more aware of Hull Truck’s work.
I also had the pleasure of watching the rehearsals of the latest Truck Tales
with Nick Lane, Marc Bolton and Matt Booth. It is possibly the funniest thing
I have ever seen, and I’m no longer a kid!
I have looked a lot into the new season of shows while I’ve been here
and everything looks great. Wish I lived closer so I could see them all! Never
mind, maybe one day I’ll be back…..maybe even on the stage!
After working with some really inspirational people, I have to say that Hull
Truck is an institution I would be so proud to have in my area…People
of Hull, take note!"
Jenna Hall
28th January 2007
Welcome to Hull Truck's new online
blog, and indeed to Hull Truck's brand spankin' new website!
It's been a hectic couple of weeks behind the scenes here at Truck, what with us in Marketing beavering away to complete and prepare for the launch of the Spring/Summer season and new website, our ever-expanding Education team out and about working extremely hard as always - Lee and his 'Men In Black' on a schools tour of John Godber's Bouncers, Claire busy casting for this April's Youth Theatre show Animal Farm, and Karen and the team leading an exciting TIE project over at Kingswood High - the UK tour of Perfect Pitch kicking off with a bang in Wakefield, the production of My Favourite Summer in full swing...
And on that subject, I have to say that My Favourite Summer is is a damn fine play - My Favourite Play in fact, since I arrived at Hull Truck back in November 2005. After all, any play that kicks off to the sound of the legendary "Scatman Joe" is a winner in my book, and I defy anyone to disagree with me!
By far the most successful and important project of recent weeks however, was the creation of the outstanding 'upside-down ice cream cone-shaped cake' ; made especially for the premiere of My Favourite Summer last Friday. A masterful piece of sponge-based architecture that would give even Gustav Eifell a run for his money! I only hope that Hull Truck's new Ferensway venue is just as intricately woven and well-constructed....although hopefully it will also have slightly more staying-power than the cake did on Friday night! Speaking of which, I think there's a slice left....
Well, enough of the chit chat; I'd better
plough on with marketing the new season! In the meantime, I'd be delighted
to hear what you think of
the new website and would welcome your comments/feedback (positive or
negative), as well as any suggestions for the ongoing development of the
site. Email: marketing@hulltruck.co.uk
Show blogs
On
A Shout: The Captain's Blog
Dave Windass on researching and
writing his storming new comic drama, On A Shout..
Bouncers 30th
Anniversary Tour Blog
Actor Marc Bolton tells
us what the Bouncers get up to as they Truck around the UK...
Header Image © Louise
Buckby - Games Boys & Console Cuties 2006
