Abi Titmuss Makes Hull Truck Theatre Debut

Hull Truck Theatre this week revealed that the star of its forthcoming production Up’n’ Under is Abi Titmuss. The announcement coincides with the theatre’s launch of its Autumn/Winter season brochure.

The actress, who many in the audience will have seen in various guises, whether it be her acclaimed theatrical debut in Arthur Miller’s Two Way Mirror in 2006, or her appearance on television shows, including Hell’s Kitchen and Celebrity Love Island, will play the part of super-fit Hazel in Up’n’Under. Hazel is responsible for coaching amateur rugby team The Wheatsheafs – comprised of a local pub team with a bad track record – into fitness in advance of their game against the long reigning champions, The Cobblers Arms.

Abi will work on the rugby classic, which won the Laurence Olivier award in 1984 after just 6 initial performances in the West End, with the theatre’s Creative Director (and writer of Up’n’Under) John Godber, as part of Hull Truck’s celebration of both the play’s 25th anniversary, and John’s work for the company.

Speaking of her excitement at taking on her upcoming role, Abi said:
“I’m delighted to be working with Hull Truck Theatre. Any actress would jump at the chance to work with John Godber – and to do so in Hull Truck’s fabulous new home will be a real honour. Up ‘n’ Under is an award-winning play, and a story which many people are also aware of thanks to the hit film. This is a really exciting opportunity for me to extend my theatre work – I can’t wait to get to Hull in September and start rehearsing!”

John said of the casting: “We are delighted to bring such a high-profile actress to perform in Up ‘n’ Under, a ground-breaking piece of physical theatre which changed the course of Hull Truck’s history.”

Alongside Up ’n’ Under, the prospective Autumn/Winter season will include a new play from acclaimed playwright Richard Bean and a revival of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, directed by Artistic Director Gareth Tudor Price.

With the choice of Abi Titmuss for the part in Up ‘n’ Under, Hull Truck is no doubt hoping that, come Autumn, the pairing of big names with carefully chosen theatrical work will entice a wider-ranging audience into its new £15m home at the heart of Hull.

– Vicky Ellis