Hull’s stories, voices and creative spirit take centre stage as Hull Truck Theatre celebrates 10 years since the city’s tenure as UK City of Culture in 2017. Rooted in regional identity, the new season brings bold new writing and contemporary drama to Hull, champions the stories of women from the North and invites audiences to celebrate the place we call home. Tickets are on sale now.
Highlights for 2027 include a season of home-produced productions, including explosive and gritty drama, Spiders – where the run has been extended due to popular demand. Breaking Mum will explore a painfully relatable and hilarious comedy-drama about motherhood. No Balls will celebrate grassroots women’s football and profile wellbeing and women’s health, and Slim Club! The Musical will bring the whole community together for uplifting entertainment during the summer holidays.
Mark Babych, Artistic Director and Joint CEO at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “We can’t quite believe it’s been ten years since Hull’s landmark year as UK City of Culture 2017, where Hull Truck Theatre played a central role delivering a Year of Exceptional Drama! This new season builds on the legacy of this UK City of Culture project, with a programme rooted in new writing and regional identity.”
Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director and Joint CEO at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “Hull Truck Theatre’s commitment to local talent and creative ambition underpins our contribution to the wider theatre sector, placing regional perspectives at the heart of a national conversation.”
Hull Truck Theatre will kick off the season with local writer Martha Godber to present the new play that everyone in Hull is talking about, Spiders (Thursday 28 January – Saturday 20 February). With a run extended due to poplar demand, this brand-new play is a drama about nostalgic youth, finding courage and the friends that get you through it all, set against the backdrop of Hull’s iconic nightclub. Spiders will be directed by Tom Saunders.
Martha Godber, writer of Spiders and actor, said: “Spiders Nightclub such an iconic place – I really don’t think there is anywhere else like it. I’ve had so many memorable nights there, and I really wanted to celebrate that through this piece of work. Having the show premiere in my home city is incredible because where I’m from informs my writing so profoundly. It really feels like a full circle, pinch me moment.”
Tom Saunders, Associate Director at Hull Truck Theatre, and director of Spiders, said: “It’s a real pleasure to work with Martha to bring this story to the stage. The opportunity to bring this gritty, character-driven drama to life in the studio is particularly exciting, and I can’t wait to share it with audiences. The response has already been hugely encouraging.”
Included alongside Spiders in Hull Truck Theatre’s Drama Deal is Breaking Mum (Thursday 25 February – Saturday 20 March), a heartfelt, funny and painfully relatable, moving debut comedy-drama about motherhood, friendship, resilience and the families we choose for ourselves. Written by local writer Hannah Scorer, this play is a love letter to parents and caregivers. Being a mum is hard work, especially when you’re doing it alone. Between juggling a full-time job, the school run and managing appropriate levels of “screen time”, Rex is furiously trying to keep all the plates spinning.
Hannah Scorer, writer of Breaking Mum said: “It’s both a privilege and a responsibility to have the opportunity to tell a story on stage about parenting, the domestic load, failure, female friendship, and finding your village in a world that makes it really hard”.
And the drama doesn’t stop there. Local writer, Lydia Marchant (Mumsy, Hull Truck Theatre, 2003) has written another locally rooted play for Stage 1. No Balls (Friday 4 – Saturday 26 June) will celebrate grassroots women’s football and friendship and explore themes of women’s health. This uplifting and hilarious new comedy-drama by BBC Screenwriter and Hull Truck Youth Theatre Alumni, will leave you cheering from the side lines. Sunday League football is about to get serious! No Balls will be directed by Mark Babych and Deborah Pugh.
Lydia Marchant, writer of No Balls, said: “Working with Hull Truck on Mumsy in 2023 was one of the best experiences of my life and I’m so excited to be back with No Balls. The play’s been shaped by conversations with female players across the region and I can’t wait to put it in front of a local audience.”
Finally, Slim Club! The Musical (Saturday 17 – Saturday 24 July) by Maureen Lennon (Guts! The Musical, Mary and the Hyenas; Hull Truck Theare) is about a local slim club gone rogue. Staged as a community production, this riotous new musical is a must-see highlight in Hull Truck Theatre’s summer programme. Featuring a community cast, this will be an experience like no other, bringing local people together to enjoy live theatre, on and off the stage. More information about workshops and auditions will be released over the coming months. Slim Club! The Musical will be directed by Tom Saunders.
Maureen Lennon, writer of Slim Club! The Musical, said: “’I’m so excited to be back at Hull Truck after the brilliant time we had working together on Guts! The chance to work on a community production is always incredibly special. Hull is full of incredible people, and I hope Slimclub! can reflect some of their passion, humour, courage and grit.”
Once again, Hull Truck Theatre will partner with Octagon Theatre Bolton and Derby Theatre to present an drama aimed at engaging both GCSE students and general theatre audiences alike. In 2027, Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet (Wednesday 7 – Saturday 24 April) will be re-imagined, presenting a moving and unforgettable production of the iconic tragedy, revealing the beauty of young love and the devastating cost of endless conflict. Directed by Iqbal Khan.
Hull Truck Theatre’s Drama Deal is available on selected shows, including the season of produced work, giving you the best seats in the house and access to exceptional drama at affordable prices. Buy tickets for two or more of the above shows and get 25% off the total price.
Audiences will also be invited to enjoy the incredible diversity of stories and voices that make up our community with a wide range of visiting shows. Whether you’re looking for more drama, musical theatre, a good laugh, or family entertainment, Hull Truck Theatre has something for everyone.
Northern Broadsides return to Hull Truck Theatre with Crime and Punishment (Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 May) a powerful critically acclaimed production that explores one of the world’s greatest novels and asks, what drives a young man to murder? One Punch (Tuesday 27 April – Saturday 1 May) returns by popular demand, presented by The John Godber Company, this poignant, physical and high energy production follows two life-long friends as they embark on a night out in Hull. From the company behind the global hit Bouncers, One Punch is a rallying cry to take control of your emotions especially in the heat of the moment. A Simply Beastly Murder (Thursday 4 March) is “Film Noir” for the stage. Full of gangsters, intrigue, and lashings of tinned pineapple, nominated for the ‘Funny Women Awards’, this is one magical murder mystery that’s sure to bring the house down.
More adventures for ages 3-6 can be had with Hull Truck Theatre’s Great Adventures programme during the school holidays. During February Half-Term, A Great Safari Adventure (Saturday 6, Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 February) will explore the Savanah, home to roarsome lions and enormous elephants. Discover the joy of a safari with this fun-filled themed adventure that features an arts and craft session followed by a full interactive play that makes use of whatever you have made. A Great Hull Outdoor Adventure (Saturday 29 May, Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June) will venture out of the theatre and into the city. Families will be invited to bring a blanket and visit some of Hull’s greenest spaces to enjoy a camping adventure featuring a practical fun family workshop.
Families with young children will also love The Singing Mermaid (Saturday 13 – Sunday 14 February), bringing to life with beautiful puppetry and a performance of music and songs, an exciting adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ hugely popular book.
Live Comedy can be enjoyed at Hull Truck Theatre, from Janet Street Porter is off the leash at 80 (Tuesday 2 February) to Chuckl.Hull with Russell Kane & Special Guests (Sunday 31 January) and not forgetting the return of the fast-paced gem, Buffy Revamped (Tuesday 27 April). These highlighted favorites and so much more provide the perfect entertaining night out.
If music is more likely to lift your spirits, you can guarantee that Hull Truck Theatre have you covered there too with Mr.Blue Sky (Friday 15 January), A Night To Remember: Motown Show (Thursday 21 January), and A Vision of Elvis (Saturday 23 January), just a few in the lineup of fantastic live performances you can catch this season.
Join Hull Truck Theatre’s Youth Theatre for two powerful pieces of drama, created in their sessions. Everyone Dies (Friday 12 – Saturday March) will reimagine Sophocles’ Oedipus & Antigone as truth emerges and loyalties are tested. Ghost Train (Friday 19 – Saturday 20 March) will present a new verbatim play inspired by the voices of different generations asking one simple question? Is life what you expected?
Act III, Hull Truck Theatre’s community theatre company for retired adults are back for 2027! This year, working with Director, Joe Beckett, the group are looking forward to performing In The Nick of Time (Friday 25 – Saturday 26 June), their new riotous comedy about friendship, community, dignity and the importance of causing a little trouble when it matters.
Local amateur groups are also returning with high-quality performances and much-loved show titles with Peter Pan by Rare Productions (Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 May), Sister Act by Beverley Musical Theatre (Tue 18 May – Saturday 22 May) and The SpongeBob Musical by Tech It Serious Productions (Thursday 29 & Friday 30 July, Saturday 31 July & Sunday 1 August).
Hull Truck Theatre is proud to screen some of the best art and independent cinema from around the world. These screening run alongside our season in partnership with Hull Independent Cinema (HIC), Dates and Titles to be announced soon.
Tickets are now available to purchase for all the shows mentioned here plus many, many more. For full listings, please visit the Hull Truck Theatre website. Access performances available for all Hull Truck Theatre productions.