Enjoy Powerful and Unforgettable Live Experiences at Hull Truck Theatre with a New Spring/Summer Season for 2025

Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director at Hull Truck Theatre, said: 

“We can’t wait to welcome audiences at Hull Truck Theatre in 2025 to share extraordinary stories and unforgettable moments. From world premieres to well-loved literary classics, there will be something for everyone to enjoy." 

Hull Truck Theatre are teaming up with Pilot Theatre to present Mary and the Hyenas (Friday 7 February – Saturday 1 March), an electrifying new musical drama about the life of trailblazing feminist icon Mary Wollstonecraft. Written by Maureen Lennon (Guts! The Musical), the show will feature anthems by the incredibly talented Billy Nomates. Raised in Beverley, and known across the world, the author of ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’ and mother of esteemed gothic novelist Mary Shelley, fought hard for female equality and in doing so changed the course of history. Join the ensemble cast of six actors as they rip up the rulebook and fight for their right to be heard!

Maureen Lennon, Writer for Mary and the Hyenas, said:

“There’s never been a project closer to my heart than this one. I couldn’t believe it when I found out Mary Wollstonecraft grew up in Beverley round the corner from me, it felt like a sign. She said and did so much that felt like it spoke to me growing up as a girl in the world right now. I’m so excited for audiences to get to know her and love her like me. Her struggle speaks through the ages, beams us towards the future. Hold on tight.”

Continuing the three-year partnership with Derby Theatre and Octagon Theatre Bolton to bring classic plays to The Hull Truck Theatre stage, Of Mice and Men (Wednesday 5 – Saturday 22 March) is John Steinbeck’s poignant tale of friendship, dreams, and survival during the Great Depression. As powerful and relevant today as it was when originally written in 1937, this evocative, compelling story is a must see for anyone who has ever tried to pursue a long-held dream.

For audiences who enjoyed the production of 71 Coltman Street in 2022, Richard Bean makes a welcome return with his comedy drama: To Have and to Hold (Thursday 1 – Saturday 24 May). A bittersweet comedy drama about life, love and aging disgracefully, this play will explore the intricacies of family dynamics and the challenges in caring for aging parents.

The Godber Studio will also present contemporary drama pieces including the Emmerson and Ward Production: Buff (Tuesday 3 June) about a plus-sized, gay, primary school teacher who decides to sublet his flat to buff Instagram model, Jamie. As well as, Steel (Wednesday 4 June), presented by Theatre By The Lake. Set on the wet West Cumbrian coast, where lasses drink Bacardi by the pint and boys don’t cry, find out what happens to two best mates when one discovers he is heir to a single mile of the British railway system.

Sue Ryding is one half of legendary comedy duo LipService. In 2022 her comedy partner Maggie Fox died. In this new show, Sue will look at all the “stuff” we accumulate, hoard and hate to let go of in this humorous and creative response to grief. Other comedy plays, improvs and parodies include: The Importance of Being Earnest? (Tuesday 1 April), perfect for fans of The Play That Goes Wrong and Noises Off. Spontaneous Potter (Tuesday 15 April) will be entirely improvised, based on audience suggestion of a fanfiction title in this brand-new Potter Adventure parody. Hold On to Your Butts (Tuesday 15 – Wednesday 16 April), another parody, this time… of the greatest dinosaur film of all time! After sell-out runs at both Edinburgh Festival and in New York, you will want to RUN to get your tickets. Big Strong Men (Thursday 29 May) will be a hilarious and powerful show that interrogates Northern masculinity and society through raucous interactive cabaret, and A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception (Tuesday 3 – Wednesday 4 June) promises to be a laugh-out-loud slapstick whodunnit featuring four actors, a dozen characters and a whole load of chaos.

Introduction to Stand-Up Comedy with Kevin Precious (Wednesday 22 January – Wednesday 26 February) will give audiences a chance to get on stage. Participants will develop methods and techniques for generating self-authored comedy material; combined with the ability to deliver the material in front of a live audience on Wednesday 5 March.

There are plenty of comedians to inspire your own comedy journey, or simply laugh along to in this season, starting with Katie Norris: Farm Fatale (Saturday 15 March) with her new smash hit show, described as “Tremendous, wonderfully batty and unapologetic and a solo debut to cherish.” Join multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian Mark Steel: The Leopard In my House (Tuesday 25 March) as he takes audiences on his journey and battle with throat cancer. Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark’s acute political observations or quash his “frankly bonkers” energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you’ll laugh again, and again, and again. John Shuttleworth is back with his new hilarious stories and songs with his trusty Yamaha organ with Raise the Oof (Wednesday 2 April), Looking For Me Friend: Victoria Wood (Friday 11 April) will present an evening of pure joy filled with Victoria’s best-loved songs. Elf Lyons: Horses (Thursday 5 June), One of the 50 funniest comedians of the 21st century will present the first comedy show ever performed entirely by a horse, and James Barr: Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex To My Mum) (Saturday 7 June) is a unique genre defying performance as James finds comedy in the chaos.

A Great Magic Adventure (Saturday 15 & Monday 17 February) and A Great Jungle Adventure (Saturday 24, Tuesday 27 & Wednesday 28 May) will both create holiday fun over the February and May Half-Term Holidays, with an arts and crafts session followed by an interactive play that uses whatever you have made. Designed For Adventures aged 3-6, and their families.

Hull Truck Theatre will present even more entertaining performances for families and children with their packed full programme of must-see events including: The Gruffalo (Friday 4 – Sunday 6 April), with songs, laughs and monstrous fun, this will magical adaptation is sure to entertain children aged 3+ and their grown-ups. After sell out shows in 2024 The Animal Guyz are back with Amazing Animals (Friday 6 June), Recommended for ages 2+. Ignite your curiosity, fuel your imagination in new and exciting ways with Science Museum Live (Tuesday 22 July). Recommended for ages 5+. And finally, Fireman Sam Live! The Great Camping Adventure (Thursday 24 July) will take ages 3+ on brand new adventure with all your favourite characters from Pontypandy.

Family Open Day returns (Saturday 14 June), to once again invite audiences of all ages to join Hull Truck Theatre and the Albemarle Music Centre for a fun-filled event full of activities and fun for the whole family to enjoy.

There are lots of ways that people of all ages can take part in theatre and develop their creativity. From young ages to teen years, follow 11-year-old Alex as they take on the highs and lows of life at school in 975 Days…Probably (Tuesday 18 – Friday 21 March), presented by Hull Truck Youth Theatre. Act III, Hull Truck Theatre’s group for retired adults, will work once again with Director Tom Saunders (Midsummer night’s Dream / Guts! The Musical), this time in collaboration with playwright Josh Overton, to create a play about two spaceships. One houses earth’s mightiest space heroes, on a mission to save the planet. The other a group of elderly holiday makers spending their savings on the holiday of a lifetime.

Tom Saunders, Director, said:  

“The ideas coming out of this process are exciting and the pairing of Act III – an experienced group of creatives and Josh Overton – a bold and exciting modern playwright, is one that I am relishing, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s not just going to be funny and full of heart, it will boldly go where Act IIII hasn’t gone before!”

Following the success of last Year’s Romeo and Juliet, the latest in the Royal Shakespeare’s Company series of First Encounters with Shakespeare’s productions for people aged 7-13 and their families will present The Tempest (Tuesday 11 – Wednesday 12 March). This Shakespeare production will be about families, magic and forgiveness, making it relevant for a new generation of theatregoers.  

One of the world’s best-loved musicals – Annie (Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 April) will be presented by Northern Academy of Performing Arts. In this amateur production, set in 1930’s New York, follow ‘Little Orphan Annie’ as she is forced to live with Miss Hannigan. Beauty and the Beast (Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 July) is an amateur production by Hull’s own State of the Arts Academy that you will not want to miss…. a classical musical for all the family to enjoy!

For Musical Theatre fans, The Flood (Tuesday 13 May) will be set in the small Yorkshire town of Hebden Bridge. When the valley submerged by one of the worst floods to be experienced by the local community there.

The Dazzling Diamonds (Thursday 16 January) will bring you a dazzling comedy drag show, jaw dropping dance numbers and hilarious lip-sync performances. And no stone will be left unturned in the electrifying beast of a show… A Brief History of Drag (Friday 13 June).

Daniel Martinez returns by popular demand with Art of Andalucia (Saturday 25 January), a new show that places flamenco dance at the forefront. Come and enjoy this celebration of flamenco dance, a vibrant journey into the heart of Andalucia, where the passion of flamenco are brought to life through stunning choreography and powerful performances. 

This season will also start the new year and take you dancing towards Summer with live music shows and nights to remember. Classic favourite Oh What A Night! (Friday 10 – Saturday 11 January) returns with amazing vocal, slick harmonies and even slicker dance moves then ever before. Combining projection, recorded sound and live performance, Rider To the Sea (Friday 21 – Saturday 22 February) by OperaUpClose is an operatic storytelling at its most visceral, with a new dramatic prologue and chamber orchestration by Michael Betteridge. Enjoy a celebration of the 80’s Rock ‘n’ Roll once more with Whole Lotta Shakin’ – The Shakin Stevens Story (Saturday 29 March). A tale of controversy, genious, politics, protest, peace and love with Something About Lennon (Saturday 7 June), The John Lennon Story. An Evening With Kate Bush (Wednesday 11 June) pays glorious homage to the music, fans and mythology of one of the world’s most influential voices. Rock of Ages (Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 June) is an amateur production of the big, brash, energetic tribute show. Performed by Beverley Musical Theatre, local audiences might recognise the company from their production of Kinky Boots at Hull Truck Theatre in 2024. Go back in time to the 1960’s with the Motown Show: A Night To Remember (Friday 27 June), starring The Voice UK finalist, Bizzi Dixon. Soul Saxophonist, Snake Davis Band – Classic Sax Solos Tour (Friday 25 July) brings his 5-piece band once more to Hull Truck Theatre, as well as Strictly Smoking’ Big Band’s Time After Time (Saturday 26 July) who will perform with a full 18-piece band to tell the story of jazz, swing, and big band history from its inception to the present day. 

Hull Truck Theatre is proud to screen some of the best art and independent cinema from around the world. In 2025 Hull Truck Theatre will start the season presenting: Royal Ballet Opera: The Nutcracker (Friday 10 January); Trafalgar Releasing: Macbeth (Friday 14  February), Royal Ballet opera: Wolf Witch Giant Fairy (Tuesday 25 February), Royal Opera House: Swan Lake (Thursday 27 February), NT Live: Importance of Being Earnest (Thursday 6 March); Northern Silents: Phantom Of The Opera (Saturday 8 March); Royal Ballet Opera: Turandot (Tuesday 1 April), Royal Ballet opera: Die Walkure (Wednesday 14 May) and Royal Ballet Opera: Andrea Chernier (Tuesday 18th June). Further dates and titles to be announced throughout the season.  

These screening run alongside our season in partnership with Hull Independent Cinema (HIC), Further dates and titles to be announced soon.

Be the first to see new performances, give feedback on work in development, take part in workshops and meet artists and creatives living locally as Grow Festival returns for another year. Full programme to be announced Spring 2025.

Hull Truck Theatre gratefully acknowledges support from Arts Council England, Hull City Council and Garfield Weston Foundation.

Tickets are now available to purchase for all the shows included in our new Spring/Summer season, now on sale by visiting the Hull Truck Theatre website via What's On | HullTruckTheatre.