Hull Truck Theatre presents an exciting programme of work in May, including the highly anticipated, devilishly delicious sci-fi smash hit musical Little Shop of Horrors from Wednesday 22 May – Saturday 8 June. Presented in co-production with New Wolsey Theatre, Theatre by the Lake and Octagon Theatre Bolton, this popular ’80s cult classic will leave audiences laughing, screaming and vowing to give up gardening for life!
Downtown on Skid Row, weedy flower shop assistant Seymour is down on his luck until he stumbles across a mysterious new plant with killer potential. Fame and fortune follow but will this win the attention of the girl of his dreams, or will the insatiable appetite of his carnivorous plant get out of control?
Audiences and critics have given the show rave reviews to date, including:
“This charming production of Little Shop of Horrors bathes in warm nostalgia but still has some bite! Whether you can mouth along to pretty much every song (like me), or this would be your first visit to Mushnik and Son, it is an entertaining take on a genuinely classic musical.” – There Ought To Be Clowns
From a killer plant to a serene garden, join Hull Truck Theatre’s theatre-making group for retired adults, ACT III, as they present Sense & Sustainability (Friday 17 – Saturday 18 May). Created with Lydia Marchant (Mumsy), this comedic drama tells the tale of a community garden at the centre of controversy. Audiences are invited to discover the dark truth about its origins and get to know the gossipy volunteers who plant and prune, bringing you a witty, thought-provoking, and uplifting comedy about community and compassion.
Writer, Lydia Marchant, said: “I’ve been a huge fan of the work made by Act III for many years, so it was a real honour to work with them on Sense and Sustainability. It’s a fun comedy, full of bold, relatable characters that the cast have created. It celebrates community and explores an interesting question, ‘is a good thing still good, if it comes out of something bad?’ I’m sure the audience will have as much fun watching it as we all did creating it!”
Hull Truck Theatre’s annual free Family Open Day will return on Saturday 11 May. In association with Albemarle Music Centre, families of all ages are invited to go behind the scenes at two of Hull’s most iconic cultural venues. Explore Hull Truck Theatre and experience an actor’s point of view from the stage, discover costumes and props, see how a show comes to life, get involved in sound and lighting demonstrations, learn about our commitment to environmental sustainability, plus much more. Other FREE family-friendly activities include arts and crafts, face painting, building tours (advance booking required) and soft play.
Blast off this May Half Term holiday on an intergalactic adventure with Hull Truck Theatre’s A Great Space Adventure (Saturday 25, Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 May). Explore the stars, discover new galaxies and be careful to not get lost on the way. Go boldly and bravely where no one has gone before! Designed for children aged 3-6 years old and their families. All shows across the run will have the same story and themes.
Adults of any age can join First Thursday Theatre Club (Thursday 2 May). The first Thursday of every month, Hull Truck Theatre host a stimulating and thought-provoking practical theatre session. This monthly daytime session is designed to explore techniques that make performances active, intentional and shows how dynamic a performance can be. May’s session will be Acting: Performing Intention led by Tom Saunders – Associate Director, Hull Truck Theatre.
Hull Truck Screen will present alongside Hull Independent Cinema a gripping man-versus-wilderness survival story in The Promised Land (15) (Wednesday 1 May) and Queendom (15) (Friday 3 May), which is an urgent documentary and reminder that art can be dangerous and important, political and powerful.
For audiences who enjoy high quality screenings, The Royal Opera present a screening of Damiano Michieletto’s sizzling new production of Carmen (Saturday 4 May), evoking all the passion and heat of Bizet’s score. Celebrating its tenth anniversary, The Royal Ballet will present a screening of The Winter’s Tale (Wednesday 22 May), an award-winning modern ballet classic, packed with emotional turmoil. With a mix of exhilarating dance styles, high-energy footwork and breath-taking athleticism, Message in a Bottle screening, (Thursday 30 May) tells a unifying and uplifting story of humanity and hope.
Comedy shows this May are in high demand! Firstly, Mamma Flippin Mia: Lucy and Gill’s Q&A Show (Thursday 2 May), by comedian Lucy Beaumont and her mum, Gill Adams, will present magnificent and possibly scary photos or clues from their past… and in an interactive approach, the audience gets to pick which stories they tell! Join Alfie Moore, who did thirty years of shiftwork at the Sheffield steelworks and then as a copper, for his very funny show A Face For Radio (Saturday 4 May). The new show from stand-up comedian to the stars John Kearns: A Varnishing Act (Friday 17 May) is a heart-stopping, glasses-dropping, wig-shaking evening of comedy entertainment. Comedian Steve Bugeja (Friday 24 May) is discussing babies, eye tests and the time he went on holiday with 20 women in Self Doubt (I think). Finally, Nick Helm’s Super Fun Good Time Show(Friday 31 May) – the man with the golden larynx and greatest living all-round entertainer – is BACK!
In addition, a Black Mirror-style exploration of bereavement and the future of AI is explored in Root & Branch’s exciting new production Danny Echo (Thursday 23 May) using live action, video and texting.
Expect the best in live tribute shows with accuracy, musicianship, dedication and passion for Coldplay’s music as Coldplace return by popular demand on Wednesday 15 May. Supported by his own authentic 50’s live band, The Creoles, Emilio Santoro as Elvis(Saturday 18 May) celebrates Elvis’ younger years in spectacular style. Put on your ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and get ‘All Shook Up’ for the greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll hits of all time.
To book tickets for any of the shows, screenings, events or workshops at Hull Truck Theatre throughout May 2024, please visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk or contact the Box Office: 01482 323638.
The Promised Land
Date: Wed 1 May
Tickets: £5 / HIC Members – £4
Recommended Age: 15+
First Thursday Theatre Club – Acting: Performing Intention
Date: Thursday 2 May
Tickets: £6.50
Mamma Flippin Mia!: Lucy and Gill’s Q&A Show
Date: Thursday 2 May
Tickets: £19.50 / Conc. £3 off
Recommended Age: 11+
Queendom
Date: Friday 3 May
Tickets: £5 / HIC Members – £4
Recommended Age: 15+
The Royal Opera: Carmen (Encore Screening)
Date: Saturday 4 May
Tickets: £16 / Conc. £2 off
Recommended Age: 12A
Alfie Moore: A Face for Radio
Date: Saturday 4 May
Tickets: £20
Recommended Age: 14+
Family Open Day
Date: Saturday 11 May
Tickets: Free
Coldplace
Date: Wednesday 15 May
Tickets: £27 / Conc. £3 off
Sense & Sustainability
Dates: Friday 17 – Saturday 18 May
Tickets: £10 / Conc. £2 off
John Kearns: The Varnishing Days [2024]
Date: Friday 17 May
Tickets: £20
Recommended Age: 14+
Emilio Santoro as Elvis
Date: Saturday 18 May
Tickets: £29.50 / Conc. £3 off
The Royal Ballet: The Winter’s Tale (Live Screening)
Date: Wednesday 22 May
Tickets: £16 / Conc. £2 off
Recommended Age: 12A
Little Shop Of Horrors
Dates: Wed 22 May – Sat 08 June
Tickets: £29.50 – £10 / Conc. £3
Danny Echo
Date: Thursday 23 May
Tickets: £13.50 / Conc. £2 off
Recommended Age: 14+
Steve Bugeja: Self Doubt (I Think)
Date: Friday 24 May
Tickets: £14.50 / Conc. £2 off
Recommended Age: 14+
A Great Space Adventure
Dates: Saturday 25 May – Wednesday 29 May
Tickets: £6.50 Per child, one free accompanying adult
(no adult ticket needed)
Designed for children aged 3-6 years old and their families.
Message in a Bottle (Screening)
Date: Thursday 30 May
Tickets: £16 / Conc. £2 off
Nick Helm’s Super Fun Good Time Show
Date: Friday 31 May
Tickets: £18 / Conc. £2 off
Recommended Age: 16+
Box office information:
Hull Truck Theatre, 50 Ferensway, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU2 8LB
01482 323638
www.hulltruck.co.uk