Hull Truck Theatre

Hull Truck Theatre stands in Kingston upon Hull, a city in eastern England. It began in 1971 when actor-musician Mike Bradwell founded a small company after struggling to find work. The first shows played to tiny audiences in working men’s clubs and late-night cabaret spots. Bradwell insisted every actor play an instrument, blending music with anarchy in their early productions. By 1974 the company’s provocative style drew praise from critics like Robin Thornber of The Guardian. Their play *The Knowledge* caused half the audience to walk out at its Manchester premiere, yet it still won attention from London’s Bush Theatre. The theatre moved in 1983 to Spring Street, a converted church hall bombed in the Second World War. John Godber became artistic director the following year and wrote *Up ’n’ Under*, a hit play about Hull’s rugby league. His *Bouncers* became one of the company’s most performed works, marking three decades in 2007. A new 440-seat venue opened in Ferensway in 2009, built with support from the Arts Council and local authorities. The first production there was Godber’s *Funny Turns*, launching a programme that included festivals and collaborations with poets like Mario Petrucci. Visitors find a modern theatre with a programme of new writing and revivals. The building sits in the city centre, close to other cultural spaces. Inside, the 440-seat auditorium hosts plays, music, and events tied to Hull’s cultural life. The theatre’s history is visible in its earlier Coltman Street base, now marked by a blue plaque. Productions often reflect the city’s identity, from rugby to working-class life. The space also supports touring shows and community projects across the region.