MAKING AN IMPACT IMPACT REVIEW APRIL 2015 - MARCH 2016
FOREWORD.
2015 - 2016 was an important year for Hull Truck Theatre, with the company attracting the very best artists and companies and enhancing our reputation for producing ambitious, high quality theatre with a distinctive Northern Voice. The theatre’s mission ‘to be an ambassador for our city, a flagship for our region and a welcoming home for our communities’ was recognised in the winning of both the Arts and Culture Award at the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Awards, and Remarkable Visitor Attraction in Visit Hull and East Yorkshire’s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards. These awards recognise the hard work and dedication of the staff team who work in the best interests of our audiences, partners, stakeholders, sponsors and the many communities of Hull to ensure the work we produce is exciting, innovative and of the highest quality.
I’m very proud to have been part of Hull Truck Theatre’s journey over the last year. The exciting programme had something for everyone, with productions The Ladykillers, Dancing Through the Shadows, Sleeping Beauty and Martha Josie and the Chinese Elvis growing both audiences and positive national press. The theatre also cemented its place as a hub for artists to develop and share their skills, talent and abilities through our artist development programme, Grow. None of what the theatre achieved in 201516 would have been possible without the continuing investment of Hull City Council and Arts Council England. The City Council’s commitment to culture is something to be recognised and applauded and combined with the increased level of National Portfolio funding from Arts Council England, Hull Truck Theatre has been able to be artistically ambitious whilst remaining fiscally prudent.
We would like to thank the theatre’s generous supporters who make all of this possible. We cannot wait to share 2017 with you; we are increasing the ambition, scale and diversity of our work to build a once in lifetime programme.
As we approach 2017 the staff and Board will continue to show what an extraordinary and welcoming place Hull Truck Theatre is.
Mark Babych, Artistic Director Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director
Al Dix, Chair of the Board
The doors are open - come on in!
MAKING A DIFFERENCE. ALL OF THIS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR FUNDERS. THANK YOU!
CORE FUNDERS
OFFICIAL IT SUPPLIER
OUGHTRED & HARRISON IT SERVICES
CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS The
Francis & Cyril Bibby Bequest
Joseph & Annie Cattle Trust
A YEAR IN NUMBERS.
w
68,378
PEOPLE EXPERIENCED OUR WORK AT THE THEATRE AND ON TOUR
45%
WERE FIRST TIME BOOKERS
ANNUAL TURNOVER
£1,954,180 AN AVERAGE TICKET PRICE OF £10.88 MEANT THAT TICKETS WERE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE
643
PEOPLE ATTENDED A PAY WHAT YOU CAN PERFORMANCE
HULL CITY COUNCIL 16%
ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND 40%
BOX OFFICE 34%
EARNED INCOME 44%
OTHER 7% FUNDRAISING 3%
£158,477
EVERY £1 INVESTED BY HULL CITY COUNCIL GENERATES £5.23 OF ADDITIONAL INCOME
12,649 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN WORKSHOPS, THEATRE MAKERS GROUPS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
INVESTED BACK INTO THE ECONOMY VIA VAT AND PAYROLL
60
32 WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS 5 APPRENTICESHIPS & 26 VOLUNTEERS
WELCOMED
62
VISITING COMPANIES
SOLAR PANELS WERE INSTALLED ON THE ROOF AND WILL SAVE US APPROX. 17,000 KILOWATT HOURS EVERY YEAR
ENGAGEMENT, LEARNING AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
YOUTH THEATRE
135 YOUNG PEOPLE WERE PART OF A LIVE PERFORMANCE.
We restructured our youth theatre groups to make the age groups more appropriate to the content of the sessions, resulting in an increased quality of process and product. Youth theatre groups performed, both at the theatre and beyond, through collaboration with Burton Constable Hall and Freedom Festival.
“I’VE MADE DEEPER FRIENDSHIPS AND FOUND COMMON GROUND WITH PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE ARE FROM.” YOUTH THEATRE MEMBER
INCLUSION WORK We ran weekly drama activities for Millers and Haltemprice day centres, for adults with severe mental and physical disabilities. We also worked with a group of independent adults with learning disabilities and a group of young people from Ganton Special School. All groups use drama as a tool to increase communication and social skills and as an opportunity for self-expression.
“IT GIVES ME CONFIDENCE. I THINK OF EVERYONE HERE AS FAMILY.” ADULT ACTOR
ENGAGEMENT, LEARNING & COMMUNITY PROJECTS 20 PEOPLE AGED OVER 55 WERE PART OF A LIVE PERFORMANCE
ACT III Our over 55s theatre makers group devised and performed three productions, which were seen by 1,213 people, drawing on their own stories and challenging perceptions of age.
“I JOINED ACT III WHEN MY LIFE WAS AT ITS LOWEST EBB. THE EFFECT HAS BEEN MIND BLOWING AND HAS OPENED UP A WHOLE NEW WORLD TO ME.” ACT III MEMBER
DISCOVER A programme of 6 Discover events, attended by 94 people, alongside 6 PostShow Q&As, allowed audiences to learn more about how a play comes to life and to pose questions to cast and creative teams.
SCHOOLS Seven schools took part in our DreamTeam16 project in association with St. Mary’s College and the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing versions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at a festival in June. We worked with 8 schools, 350 pupils and 68 PGCE students, delivering workshops and tours to enhance the theatre-going experience of students, and with a Pupil Referral Unit, Ashwell Academy, developed workshops to build trust and teamwork.
“THEY OFFER A FASCINATING INSIGHT...DISCOVER DAYS HUGELY ENHANCE OUR EXPERIENCE OF THEATRE.” DISCOVER DAY ATTENDEES
WORK EXPERIENCE, APPRENTICESHIPS AND VOLUNTEERING We employed our first Creative Apprentice, following the success of which we held an open event for students and recruited four more apprentices to work in different departments. The apprenticeship programme has been supported by CapeUK, Creator College and Hull Training. We welcomed 32 work experience students across all departments and 26 Front of House volunteers aged 16 - 68.
COMMUNITY DIALOGUES Funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation enabled us to launch an 18 month research project, working in two areas of deprivation and low arts engagement, Orchard Park and Thornton Estate. Through consultation at events we are learning about barriers to engagement so that we can be fully accessible to all of our communities.
DRAMAJAM Dramajam is funded by BBC Children in Need and is for targeted groups of young people aged 8 – 12 who do not have the chance to participate in the arts outside of school. A group of 26 children came together over two half terms and used creative activities to better understand themselves and the world in which they are growing up. Each week they performed an informal sharing for friends and family.
HULL TRUCK THEATRE PRODUCTIONS.
‘OUTSTANDING’ THE STAGE
HULL TRUCK THEATRE PRODUCTION SEEN BY 12,623 PEOPLE ACROSS THREE VENUES.
THE LADYKILLERS. WED 13 – SAT 30 MAY Graham Linehan’s adaptation of the classic Ealing comedy was a co-production with New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme, directed by Mark Babych. Exceptional comic writing and bold theatricality delivered by pitch perfect performances from the cast. The production thrilled and delighted
audiences in Newcastle Under Lyme, Scarborough and Hull. Building on Hull Truck Theatre’s reputation for theatrical inventiveness and joyous nights out, the production featured 3 community ensemble companies working alongside the professional cast at each venue.
‘CRACKING GOOD PERFORMANCES. LAUGH OUT LOUD MOMENTS. AN ENJOYABLE EVENING OUT IN HULL!’ AUDIENCE MEMBER
‘NORTH-EAST COASTAL TOWN BACK ON THE MAP’ THE GUARDIAN
PAY WHAT YOU CAN NIGHT: £5.81 AVERAGE TICKET PRICE 35% NEW BOOKERS, INCLUDING AUDIENCES FROM AREAS OF LOW ARTS ENGAGEMENT
DANCING THROUGH THE SHADOWS. THUR 1 – SAT 24 OCT This new play by local writer Richard Vergette and directed by Mark Babych was the first part of The Hull Trilogy, an exciting trio of commissioned plays which examine how the city’s past has shaped its identity and impacted on its future.
Featuring young, Hull-based actors in central roles and including a community ensemble of 10 people, the play examined how two families faced the Hull Blitz and its aftermath. Capturing the hearts and minds of local audiences, it marked the first trial of Pay What You Can nights, which have since become an integral part of our ticketing and access strategies.
‘ONE OF THE BEST PLAYS I'VE SEEN. IT PRODUCED SUCH A RANGE OF EMOTIONS… I WILL HIGHLY RECOMMEND.’ AUDIENCE MEMBER
HULL TRUCK THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
‘MY GRANDSONS LOVED EVERY MINUTE... BUT NOT AS MUCH AS I DID!!! :-)’ AUDIENCE MEMBER
SLEEPING BEAUTY. FRI 4 DEC – SAT 9 JAN THE PLAY FEATURED A COMMUNITY ENSEMBLE OF 8 YOUNG PEOPLE AND WAS SEEN BY 3572 SCHOOL PUPILS, INCLUDING 845 CHILDREN FROM DISADVANTAGED AREAS OF HULL VIA OUR GIVE THE GIFT OF THEATRE CAMPAIGN.
The creative team behind Cinderella reunited to produce another magical adventure for families and children. Members of the community responded to our call for help, creating 32 beautiful knitted and crocheted seat covers for the auditorium, which were later donated to local charitable scheme Knit-For-Nowt.
‘VERY IMAGINATIVE AND VERY ENERGETIC. BRILLIANT STORYTELLING AND ACTING. ALSO LOVELY SONGS AND LOTS OF FUNNY BITS. LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR.’ AUDIENCE MEMBER
'HIGH COMEDY... A BEAUTIFUL HUMANITY' YORKSHIRE POST
MARTHA, JOSIE AND THE CHINESE ELVIS. THUR 11 FEB – SAT 5 MAR This revival of Charlotte Jones’ moving and funny tale of eccentric characters was a co-production with Octagon Theatre Bolton and received standing ovations after every performance, at both venues. A targeted audience development campaign, Try Something New, attracted 122 new bookers who were either under 26 or from areas of economic deprivation and lows arts engagement in Hull.
“THANK YOU FOR A GREAT NIGHT OUT LAST NIGHT. NOT ONLY WAS THE PRODUCTION SUPERB (MARTHA WAS HILARIOUS), I COULDN’T HAVE COME WITHOUT THE “PAY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD” PRICE TAG, SINCE I’M ON BENEFITS. WHAT A LOVELY IDEA TO MAKE THE THEATRE MORE AFFORDABLE!!!!” AUDIENCE MEMBER
AUDIENCES EXPERIENCED A DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF VISITING WORK. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE…
FILM BERYL The West Yorkshire Playhouse were resident with us to re-rehearse and launch the rural tour of their acclaimed production, Beryl, which played to sell-out audiences.
VICTORIES OF HENRY V The Royal Shakespeare Company returned with a perfect first experience of Shakespeare for young people.
JAZZ FESTIVAL
THE SOLID LIFE OF SUGAR WATER
Our continued partnership with J-Night saw the two Jazz Festivals welcome international performers, as well as local artists. We piloted a Sunday Jazz Brunch in the foyer which has since become a regular festival fixture.
A contemporary piece by disabled-led GRAEAE Theatre Company and coproducers Theatre Royal Plymouth, tackling the painful and complicated situation of couples living with grief after experiencing still birth.
We installed a state of the art screen and sound system in the Studio and became the first performance space in Hull to host live theatre. Hull Truck Screen now includes a range of screenings, working in partnership with Hull Independent Cinema, RSC Live, NT Live and more.
IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT This award winning piece from Sherman Theatr Cymru was a powerful one-woman show about sacrifice and society.
A FEW HIGHLIGHTS.
GROW. Grow is Hull Truck Theatre’s Artist Development Programme for the development of artists of all ages and at all stages of their careers.
The upper foyer was transformed by NSDF design prize winner India Smith into the stunning Grow Garden.
GROW FESTIVAL, 8 – 12 JUNE
A broad and high quality programme of workshops drew 81 participants, with many more attending informal conversations and networking events. Highlights included sessions run by Frantic Assembly, Spymonkey and Roy Williams, and the launch event supported by Hull2017.
We hosted residencies for 5 emerging artists and companies in the lead-up to the Festival, all for the development of new work. Several of these pieces then featured as part of the Grow Showcase, which attracted 483 people.
THANK YOU TO OUR GROW PARTNERS:
GIVE THE GIFT OF THEATRE. This year’s Give the Gift of Theatre campaign was sponsored by NPS Group Humber Ltd and enabled families facing challenging financial circumstances to experience a festive trip to see Sleeping Beauty and to create lasting memories together. Through our work with Hull Children’s University, 845 children from disadvantaged areas of Hull were also able to attend.
ASSOCIATE & SUPPORTED ARTISTS. In March we launched our new Associate and Supported Artists programme, offering bespoke support to artists and companies whose work we find inspiring, innovative and exciting. Associate Artists are creative professionals with whom we have an established working relationship. Supported Artists are a group of individuals and companies at an exciting early stage in their careers, to whom we can offer expertise and advice, rehearsal space and networking opportunities.
OUGHTRED & HARRISON IT SERVICES SUITE. In April we launched this new facility, thanks to support from Oughtred and Harrison IT Services. The Suite provides office space for up to eight people, with five PC workstations, white board and projector screen and high speed building-wide WiFi. It is available for hire and has also been used, free of charge, by members of Hull’s creative community.
AWARD WINNERS.
We were the proud winners of the prestigious Arts and Culture Award at the White Rose Awards, hosted by Welcome to Yorkshire. The judges commented on our commitment to working for and with our local community, for championing art with a Northern voice and for being an integral part of the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 bid. We also won the top prize in the Remarkable Visitor Attraction/Experience category in Visit Hull and East Yorkshire’s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAS). The theatre was recognised for our diverse artistic programme, our commitment to forging meaningful relationships with the local community, and for creating a cultural legacy for Hull and East Yorkshire.
CONTINUING TO MAKE AN IMPACT…
WE HAVE BIG PLANS FOR 2016/17 WHICH GO FAR BEYOND THE AMBITIOUS AND INSPIRING WORK ON OUR STAGES.
COMMUNITIES We are connecting with
YOUNG PEOPLE
1,800
people from Orchard Park and Thornton Estate
(10% OF THE ESTATES’ POPULATIONS),
Creativity can inspire and motivate young people to be the best that they can be. We are increasing the number of schools engaging with us regularly and creating more participation opportunities for children under 8 years old and their families.
building meaningful relationships with organisations and individuals in order to promote family cohesion, encourage communication and expression and expand horizons.
ON STAGE We are producing five home grown productions, such as The Gaul, which explored a story from the heart of the city, and are offering a rich programme of work that showcases excellence, risk taking and promotes debate. We are opening up this work in new ways, including more audio described and captioned performances.
SUSTAINABILITY We are making the most of the one-off opportunity afforded by 2017 to galvanise and grow the theatre’s network of advocates and supporters, drawing down 1:1 match funding for all new donations and sponsorship under Arts Council England’s Catalyst: Evolve programme.
SUPPORTING ARTISTS We are increasing access to our Be Our Guest Residency Scheme via support from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. We will introduce a financially supported Go See scheme for our network of Supported Artists and provide year-round opportunities to be programmed into our Studio.
AWARENESS We are raising awareness of Hull Truck Theatre, both of our work on stage and in our community. We are capitalising on the profile of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 to increase coverage to at least 10 positive mentions in national and international press.
HULL TRUCK THEATRE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES SUPPORT FROM:
01482 323638 / www.hulltruck.co.uk Hull Truck Theatre, 50 Ferensway, Hull HU2 8LB Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England No. 1210050, Registered Charity No. 269645, VAT Reg No. 219938372