Theatre News

Details of new James Graham play announced in Hull Truck Theatre 2018 season

The venue has announced its plans for the first half of 2018, with new work from Lucy Beaumont

James Graham and the Hull Truck Theatre
James Graham and the Hull Truck Theatre
© Dan Wooller

Details have been released for James Graham's newest play, entitled The Culture – A Farce in Two Acts, which features in Hull Truck Theatre's 2018 season.

Hull alumnus Graham's piece is a response to Hull's year as the City of Culture, with the writer having had behind-the-scenes access to the offices of the city for the last 12 months. The satirical piece will be directed by Hull Truck Theatre artistic director Mark Babych, and runs from 26 January to 17 February.

The venue will also present an all-female production of Compton Mackenzie's Whiskey Galore in a co-production with Oldham Coliseum and the New Vic Theatre between 2 and 12 May. Directed by Kevin Shaw, the production envisages a whiskey shortage on a secluded island in the 1950s.

Comedian Lucy Beaumont will debut her new comedy Clown Klub at the venue from 14 June to 7 July. The play follows 63 year-old Hull resident Keith, roped into a TV talent show and forced to train a clown troupe. The show will be directed by Babych.

Silent Uproar, who presented the award-winning Super Happy Story at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, will come to the Hull Truck with new show The Bold Knights of Britain from 20 to 24 February. The show is a comedy about what it means to be British. The Roaring Girls will also present patriarchy-smashing show Beach Body Ready from 18 to 19 July.

Local theatre company Ensemble 52 will present Dark Winter from 13 to 17 March, a world premiere adaptation of David Mark’s crime novel set in Hull. Chameleon Players will bring Edgar Harrison’s spoof on the detective story Too Clever By Half to the venue from 10 to14 July.

The theatre will welcome touring productions across the season including Eclipse Theatre Company and Royal Exchange Theatre's Black Men Walking (27 February to 3 March), Bryony Lavery's new adaptation of Brighton Rock (20 to 24 March), John Godber Company and Theatre Royal Wakefield’s The Scary Bikers (27 February to 3 March) and London Classic Theatre's Private Lives by Noel Coward (10 to 14 April). Lyric Hammersmith and Filter Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream will also run from 17 to 21 April.

Martin Green, director of Hull 2017, said: "Hull Truck Theatre have been a brilliant partner in this important year for the city and it's is wonderful to see the team going into 2018 with similar vision and energy. It will help ensure that the theatre's reputation continues to grow, not just regionally, but nationally. We are also delighted to be involved in commissioning James Graham as part of our ambition to continue supporting new work."