Celebrate Autumn in style with thrilling entertainment at Hull Truck Theatre

Luke Dankoff, Producer / Programmer at Hull Truck Theatre, said:

“This October we are proud to welcome a range of high-quality touring and local productions and screenings that promise to entertain audiences into the Winter months. Among many titles to coming to Hull Truck Theatre this October, we are excited to experience the reimagining of Frankenstein presented by Tilted Wig Productions, Unthinkable Film Festival, as well as local work from the Hull Comedy Festival and One Punch by the John Godber Company.” 

What better way to get into spirit of the season, in celebration of Halloween, than with a reimaging of the world’s favourite gothic horror story: Frankenstein (Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 October). This brand-new adaptation is inspired by Mary Shelley’s original novel and comes complete with a stunning original score that will explore the very fabric of what makes us human and the ultimate cost of chasing “perfection”. 

Sean Aydon, Writer and Director on Frankenstein, said: 

“Knowing what a vibrant city Hull is and having seen many brilliant productions at Hull Truck Theatre, I’m thrilled to be bringing a play to this stage for the first time. This is a gripping thriller that I think will go down a storm. The audiences I’ve sat alongside in Hull have always been so engaged with the work on their stages and I think this play will definitely get you discussing and debating afterwards!”

This is part of Hull Truck Theatre’s Drama Deal, offering 3 shows for £51 - saving almost £31 per person! For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/4dYYeJA 

Whether you enjoy funny, political, gritty or shocking drama, Hull Truck Theatre has it all this October. Love It If We Beat Them (Tuesday 1 October) explores the age-old political questions: What is power without principle? And what are principles without power? Witness an explosive head-to-head in this new political drama exploring a time of significant change in the identity of the North East communities and perfectly capturing a moment in recent history that defines who we are today. Sanctuary (Tuesday 8 October) is a new musical that mixes hard-hitting ideas with memorable melodic tunes and harmonies to tell a vital story of one man’s hopes for help and support in a time when not all strangers are welcomed. One Punch (Tuesday 8 – Thursday 10 October) is a rallying cry to take control of your emotions especially in the heat of the moment. From the company behind the global hit Bouncers, The John Godber Company in partnership with One Punch Hull & East Yorkshire, present this new physical high energy production that holds nothing back in its depiction of the visceral realities of a good night gone bad.

Hull Truck Theatre presents a stellar line up of female stand-up comedians. Having reassessed her life through the prism of an ADHD diagnosis, Shaparak Khorsandi will invite you into her chaotic, hilarious brain, with her show Scatterbrain (Thursday 3 October). Star of ‘Live at the Apollo’ Kiri Pritchard-Mclean: Peacock (Thursday 10 October) has become a foster parent and is now ready to lift the lid on social workers, first aid training and what not to do when a vicar searches for you on YouTube.

Expect brand new comedy, funny skits, and inspiring acts as the annual Hull Comedy Festival returns for 2024. Hudson & Hudson: 2 Become Wand (Tuesday 29 October) have joined magical forces again in their brand-new comedy and magic show. Hull’s comedy duo Jeddy Bear & Gary Save The World (Wednesday 30 October) will help ages 2+ to discover their very own superpowers in another brand-new show. Gail Porter, who is famed for her vibrancy as well as mental health struggles has now turned to comedy to share her own story. She will perform Hung, Drawn and Portered (Wednesday 30 October) Finally, Fanny Dent will perform irreverent routines revealing real life fantasies, fears and failures in The Burlesque Imposter (Thursday 31 October). 

Fans of true crime are in for a treat with a chilling night at the theatre. Colin Sutton, who was head of a Metropolitan Police murder squad will share stories in of how he caught some of the UK’s most evil murderers in Makings of a Murderer 2 – The Real Manhunter (Wednesday 9 October). 

The Dad’s Army Radio Show (Thursday 31 October) brings Perry and Croft’s classic BBC comedy to life in this highly acclaimed stage production. Complete with sound effects, vintage music and all your favourite Perry and Croft characters and catchphrases, this will transport fans right back to Walmington. 

October half-term is creeping nearer, and Hull Truck Theatre have some spooky and entertaining family shows and activities lined up. Amazing Animals (Saturday 5 October) celebrates all creatures great and small. The only show where you get to see life -sized crocodiles, reindeer, dinosaurs and orangutans on stage and right before your eyes. Based on the original book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (Friday 11 – Saturday 12 October) will bring to life the wonderful world inside a book with puppetry and enchanting songs. A Great Halloween Adventure (Saturday 26, Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 October) will once again feature an arts and crafts session followed by an interactive play with a brand-new story for 2024. A perfect half term holiday activity for ages 3-6 and their families. Adventurers are invited and encouraged to come in spooky Halloween fancy dress! Spooky Theatre Day (Thursday 31 October) is designed for 7 – 11-year-olds. Participations will be invited to take part in ghostly games and spooky activities as well as creating an original haunting performance, culminating in a sharing for parents.

For fans of ‘Stranger Things’, country music and Rock ‘n; Roll, Hull Truck Theatre have a range of music shows coming up that will leave you singing and dancing the night away. Following her smash hit set at Glastonbury earlier this year, we’re delighted to welcome a fantastic Shania Twain act. The Shania Twain Story (Friday 4 October), complete with three fantastic vocalists and a live band, will celebrate all things Country! Starring Liza Rebecca Walsh as Shania Twain. An Evening Without Kate Bush (Thursday 17 October) encourages audiences to release their inner bush in this joyful, unique and mind-blowing show. Enjoy Rock ‘n’ Roll classics with Rock for Heroes (Saturday 19 October), performed by a superb 7-piece band and breathing new life into the music of Guns ‘n’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Queen and more! Finally, Buddy Holly & The Cricketers (Wednesday 30 October), wraps up the month as a show which is guaranteed to make you feel young at heart, playing haunting ballads and energetic smash hits! 

The theatre is also proud to host screenings and films in their state-of-the-art Hull Truck Screen with sound system. In partnership with Hull Independent Cinema, audiences can access to some of the best art and independent cinema from around the world. This October Hull Independent Cinema present Swan Song (Friday 18 October), an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world's leading ballet companies as it mounts a new production of Swan Lake. 

Running alongside the partnership with Hull Independent Cinema other screenings will include work from NT Live, Unthinkable Film Festival, Northern Silents and Royal Ballet and Opera. 

Filmed over four days at Abbey Road Studios in August 1974, the film Paul McCartney and Wings: One Hand Clapping (Tuesday 1- Wednesday 2 October) provides an insight into the inner workings of the band as they work and play together in the studio. National Theatre Live: Prima Facie (Thursday 3 October), starring Jodie Comer, presents this gripping one-woman play on screen, where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Royal Ballet and Opera will present Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Tuesday 15 October) - be prepared for confusion piled upon confusion. 

UNTHINKABLE is a Hull based short film festival which spans a week in October. Expect a selection of some of the most original shorts from around the UK and further afield at the Unthinkable Film Screening (Friday 4 October), and at the end of the evening the judging panel will select a winner. 

Northern Silents will present a double bill of silent film accompanied by Jonny Best live on piano. A quadruple-bill of silent film comedy magic for all the family from Laurel & Hardy and friends in Saturday Slapstick with Laurel & Hardy (Saturday 5 October), as well as a chance to watch the epic Arabian Nights fantasy-adventure The Thief of Bagdad (Saturday 5 October). 

Other opportunities at Hull Truck Theatre in October include First Thursday Theatre Club: Theatre History (Thursday 3 October) with a chance to join Hull Truck Theatre’s Joe Beckett for a discursive session that starts with a brief introduction to life and work of Rattigan followed by an exploration of his play The Deep Blue Sea. Tell Tales: A Playwrighting Showcase! (Wednesday 23 October) will be presented in collaboration between 1UPSTARTS Theatre company and the Goodwin Development Trust’s Youth Arts Takeover programme. Tall Tales is an evening of brand-new writing and an evening of multiple short stories of 5 - 15 minutes, from writers of various levels of experience, delivered as a series of rehearsed readings. Tickets are available on a Pay What You Decide basis, starting from £3. 

For more information or to buy tickets, please visit: www.hulltruck.co.uk