INCLUSION INNOVATION INTEGRITY.
Impact Review
April 2018 – March 2019
WELCOME.
Hull Truck Theatre’s Annual Report is an opportunity to share our stories with you. It is a time when we reflect on our achievements and maybe even show off a little. As one of Hull’s leading cultural organisations it is our job to respond to the ebb and flow of events, dig deep into their many meanings and find ways to share the pride and energy of a great city. We’ve had excellent successes with shows like Jack Lear, Oliver Twist and Abigail’s Party and our youth theatres have amazed audiences with their talent and imagination. Our Affiliated Artists have grown in confidence and scale and the reach and range of our projects with communities and young artists has become ever more ambitious. Off-stage, we are leading the field in developing the city’s workforce of the future. We have opened up access routes to those previously underrepresented in the arts through new schemes such as the Technical Skills Training Programme, the Arts Council’s Change Makers scheme and by providing opportunities for apprentices and interns. We are also planning for 2021 when we will celebrate an amazing 50 years of making theatre that has left an indelible mark on the cultural life of Hull and the UK. As you look through this annual report think of the hundreds of thousands of people who have, over nearly 50 years, built Hull Truck Theatre into the amazing place it is today. And then try to imagine how we might tell the stories of Hull for the next 50 years as it grows, changes and asserts its identity. We are a loud, proud voice for the city with a big heart and open doors. Come on in and be part of the story!
Mark Babych, Artistic Director & Joint Chief Executive Janthi Mills-Ward, Executive Director & Joint Chief Executive Al Dix, Chair of the Board
HULL TRUCK THEATRE
WELCOME
WITHOUT YOU… IT WOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE Hull Truck Theatre thanks the following for their generous support: HULL TRUCK THEATRE MAIN AUDITORIUM SPONSOR:
SPOTLIGHT PARTNERS
OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
PEOPLE, PRODUCTIONS AND POUNDS, THE HEADLINE FACTS. 70,971 PEOPLE EXPERIENCED OUR WORK IN HULL
40%
Were First Time Bookers
801 children from disadvantaged areas of Hull saw Oliver Twist as part of our Give The Gift of Theatre scheme
Ten Productions were made by Hull Truck Theatre
73
We presented a rich programme of
members of Youth Theatre and Act III over 55s Theatre Makers performed on our stages
129 visiting productions
15,001 PEOPLE SAW OUR WORK ON TOUR AROUND THE COUNTRY
12,018 people of all ages participated in workshops, Discover events and inclusion groups
HULL TRUCK THEATRE
76 Artists were part of our Grow Artist Development programme We presented 495 Volunteers gave us 1,937 hours of their time
PRODUCTIONS, PEOPLE AND POUNDS
389
performances
2,543 WE GENERATED 9,890KWH THROUGH OUR SOLAR PANELS
people took advantage of our Pay What You Can scheme, paying an average of £2.95 per ticket
of income was self-generated
£
£2.3 million Annual Turnover 2018/2019
53%
£
EVERY £1 INVESTED BY HULL CITY COUNCIL GENERATES £6.91 OF ADDITIONAL INCOME
AN AVERAGE PRICE OF £12.37 MEANT THAT TICKETS WERE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE
INSPIRING THEATRE THAT REFLECTS A MODERN BRITAIN. 12 – 14 Apr It Snows & The Willow Pattern Hull Truck Theatre Youth Theatre It Snows by Bryony Lavery Directed by Tom Bellerby The Willow Pattern By Judith Johnson Directed by Finlay McGuigan 2 – 12 May Whisky Galore Hull Truck Theatre, Oldham Coliseum and New Vic Theatre By Compton Mackenzie Adapted by Philip Goulding Directed by Kevin Shaw 28 – 30 June Are We there Yet? Hull Truck Theatre’s Act III Over 55s Theatre Makers Devised by Act III Written by Andrew Jackson Directed by Rupert Creed
Whisky Galore
It Snows & The Willow Pattern
“A BRILLIANT NIGHT AT HULL TRUCK… FEEL WELL AND TRULY ENTERTAINED. THANK YOU!” Audience member via Facebook on Whisky Galore
HULL TRUCK THEATRE
Are We there Yet?
“WE ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE… WELL DONE TO ALL INVOLVED” Audience member via Facebook on It Snows & The Willow Pattern
INSPIRING THEATRE
“POETIC AND HUMANE, HARROWING AND HUMOROUS” The Yorkshire Post on Abigail’s Party
Abigail’s Party
The Ugly Duckling
27 Sept – 20 Oct Abigail’s Party Hull Truck Theatre By Mike Leigh Directed by Amanda Huxtable 30 Nov – 5 Jan Oliver Twist Hull Truck Theatre Based on the novel by Charles Dickens Adapted by Deborah McAndrew Directed by Mark Babych 17 Dec – 5 Jan The Ugly Duckling Hull Truck Theatre and The Herd By Samuel Caseley Directed by Ruby Thompson
"BRIMS WITH ENERGY AND HARMONY" The Guardian on Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist
Jack Lear 17 Jan – 2 Feb Jack Lear Hull Truck Theatre By Ben Benison Directed by Barrie Rutter Music by Eliza Carthy 5 – 16 Mar Princess and the Hustler Hull Truck Theatre, Eclipse Theatre Company and Bristol Old Vic By Chinonyerem Odimba Directed by Dawn Walton 11 – 16 Mar TEN Hull Truck Theatre Youth Theatre By Ellen Brammar, Lydia Marchant, Josh Overton & Morgan Sproxton Directed by Hannah Jayne Leek & Tom Saunders
TEN
“RICHLY TEXTURED, PASSIONATE AND ENORMOUSLY AFFECTING. BEAUTIFUL.” The Times on Princess and the Hustler
Princess and the Hustler
HULL TRUCK THEATRE
INSPIRING THEATRE
VARIETY FOR ALL TO ENJOY. A broad programme of visiting work meant that audiences experienced diverse stories from local, national and international acclaimed artists across a variety of genres. Highlights included: MUSIC
FAMILY
Hull Jazz Festival Presented by J-Night
Slime Presented by The Herd
Our partnership with J-Night continues to go from strength to strength, offering Hull audiences the chance to experience the best international and UK musicians across two annual festivals.
We are committed to regularly programming the best work for families, whether national tours of known titles or new work from local artists.
CIRCUS
Us Against Whatever Presented by Middle Child
Shift Presented by Barely Methodical Troupe We welcomed the third visit from internationally acclaimed circus company, Barely Methodical Troupe, ensuring Hull audiences experience a varied programme of the highest quality.
GIG THEATRE
We supported Middle Child to present an electrifying cabaret about place and politics, which also performed at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.
THEATRE FOR
EVERYONE. Give The Gift of Theatre In 2018/19, 801 local people visited the theatre for free as part of our Give The Gift of Theatre scheme.
The scheme focuses on ensuring local communities have equality of opportunity to access theatre, especially those who might face multiple and varied barriers to attending or participating in our work. In particular, it enables young people to enjoy the magic of a theatre performance, many for the first time. Give The Gift of Theatre is generously supported by our Spotlight corporate partners and in 2018 we also launched a public appeal, raising £8,000 to give hundreds of children the chance to create lasting memories with classmates, peers and in some cases, family members. The scheme is delivered in partnership with Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University and for the first time, public donations were doubled thanks to match-funding made available through Arts Council England’s fundraising and capacity building initiative, Catalyst Evolve. HULL TRUCK THEATRE
THEATRE FOR EVERYONE
“I ENJOYED THE SHOW A LOT. FINDING OUT HOW AN ORPHAN MIGHT HAVE LIVED AND THEIR STRUGGLES. IT WAS FUN AND EDUCATIONAL.” JAZMIN LAMBERT, 9 FROM NEWINGTON ACADEMY, ON OLIVER TWIST
“WE ARE CONSTANTLY SEARCHING FOR WAYS TO MAKE OUR PATIENTS’ STAY MORE INTERESTING AND ENJOYABLE. OUR FIRST JOINT VENTURE WITH HULL TRUCK THEATRE WAS A HUGE SUCCESS.” DR FIONA THOMSON, CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN IN ELDERLY MEDICINE AT HULL ROYAL INFIRMARY
Live Screening of Jack Lear For the first time, a performance of Jack Lear was live streamed into Hull Royal Infirmary and Haworth Court Care Home, enabling patients and residents who would not physically be able to attend the theatre to enjoy a production.
Community Dialogues Through our Community Dialogues programme we work closely with the communities of Thornton and Orchard Park estates, two areas of disadvantage in Hull. We deliver events, activities and pop-up Box
Office sessions within these communities, and support attendance at the theatre for tours, Family Open Day and to see shows. In 2018/19, 5,325 residents from Thornton and Orchard Park estates attended a performance at the theatre.
Online Access In conversation with access customers we made changes to our website, including enabling access tickets to be booked online. This development is now being used as an example of best practice by Box Office system providers, Spektrix.
“EASY TO SET UP AND THEN YOU ARE ABLE TO BOOK DISABLED TICKETS ONLINE MAKING THEATRE MORE ACCESSIBLE.” “YOU’RE DOING YOURSELVES A HUGE CREDIT. I BOOK AT VARIOUS VENUES AND NO ONE ELSE OFFERS THIS FACILITY.” ACCESS CUSTOMER
THE NEXT GENERATION.
Technical Skills Training Programme A Technical Skills Training Programme, launched in partnership with UK Theatre, ran for four weeks in August, giving 11 young people aged 18-24 preparatory training for a career in lighting, sound and technical and including a paid placement at a local festival. The programme, funded by Natwest, UK Theatre and SOLT, responded to UK Theatre’s workforce review and addressed the lack of adequate training and technical skills shortage outside of London. All participants received accredited training and bursary support was available for candidates with the aim of increasing representation of our diverse and changing population. HULL TRUCK THEATRE
THE NEXT GENERATION
“WITHOUT THE TECHNICAL SKILLS PROGRAM, A CAREER IN TECHNICAL THEATRE WOULD HAVE REMAINED A PIPE DREAM! IT GAVE ME THE CONFIDENCE TO BELIEVE IT WAS POSSIBLE, AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF HULL TRUCK IT HAS BECOME A REALITY.” ANJA, TECHNICAL SKILLS PARTICIPANT
TEN As part of the celebrations for our 10th anniversary on Ferensway, 55 members of our youth theatre took to the stage to present TEN: ten 10-minute plays by 4 local writers. The new commissions explored local, national, and international events that have taken place since 2009, each focusing on a different year.
Off Stage Choices We held our first Off Stage Choices career day for schools, to raise awareness of the range of careers available to a generation that have been inspired by Hull
2017. Focusing on careers available off stage in the theatre industry, students aged 14 – 16 took part in workshops and interactive sessions in areas such as production, technical, marketing and design.
Artistic Directors of the Future We took part in the first regional edition of a Board Shadowing Programme run by Artistic Directors of the Future and in partnership with the other Yorkshire producing theatres. Aimed at diversifying the industry’s future Boards through increasing understanding of the processes and responsibilities of
governance, two BAME industry professionals met with our Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board as well as the Executive Directors before attending main Board and subcommittee meetings.
Regional Young Actors Ensemble The finale of a project that began as part of Hull City of Culture 2017, 30 young actors from across the country, supported by Hull Truck Theatre, Live Theatre, Newcastle and Derby Theatre, came together to perform for industry professionals and local artists, empowering them to develop relationships and build networks.
ING ARTISTS, NURTURING TALENT. Grow is Hull Truck Theatre’s artist development programme for artists at any stage in their career. It provides support, development and networking opportunities and showcases new work.
“HULL TRUCK THEATRE OFFERED US THE TIME, SPACE AND SUPPORT TO FIND WHO WE ARE AS ARTISTS. THE CONFIDENCE WE HAVE HAD FROM THEM HAS TAKEN US FROM A LOCAL TO A NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED COMPANY”
The Roaring Girls Hull-based, fierce, feminist, fun theatre company, The Roaring Girls, have been Supported Artists of Hull Truck Theatre since 2015. We have provided The Roaring Girls with mentoring across various areas including artistic, fundraising, marketing and production, rehearsal space, access to our Go See fund and, most importantly, the opportunity to develop work in front of an audience. The Roaring Girls performed a sharing of their production Beach Body Ready as part of First Time Out in our Grow Festival 2017. Since then, they have continued to develop the show, performing it again to sell out audiences at Hull Truck Theatre in 2018 and 2019, prior to a run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019. We support artists whose work we find inspiring and innovative and who are in need of support to get to the next stage of development. Supported Artists 2018-19 were: Bellow Theatre, End of the Line Theatre, Lydia Marchant, Norris and Parker, Silent Uproar, The Herd and The Roaring Girls.
THE ROARING GIRLS
HULL TRUCK THEATRE
GROWING ARTISTS
Change Maker
Be Our Guest Four artists / companies joined us for a week-long residency – Tilly Branson, Silent Uproar, Paper Birds and Hester Ullyart all received the time, space and support to develop new pieces of work. Each residency also received up to £1,000 to contribute towards loss of income, expenses and buying in additional artistic support during the week, thanks to a grant from Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation.
Grow Festival Our annual Grow artist development festival saw artists at all stages of their career gather for three packed days of workshops, masterclasses, networking opportunities and performances. First Time Out showcased three work-
in-progress versions of new shows and we commissioned six Hull Writers to work with six Hull Directors, the results of which were shared in New Year, New Work. Hull Truck Shorts presented three punchy new 15-minute plays by local writers, directed by Mark Babych.
Hull and Freetown Artists Cultural Exchange A cultural exchange project between three Supported Artists from the theatre and three artists from Freetown in Sierra Leone culminated with a performance of their work-in-progress, which explored themes of inclusion, fairness, diversity and tradition. The project began in 2017 and was supported by the British Council.
Arts Council England’s Change Maker scheme culminated with a production of Abigail’s Party, directed by our Artistic Associate and Change Maker Amanda Huxtable. The scheme offered professional development to cultural leaders who are underrepresented in the industry.
“ABIGAIL’S PARTY GAVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT THE PRINCIPLES OF INCLUSION THAT I BELIEVE IN INTO THIS PLAY.” AMANDA HUXTABLE, THEATRE DIRECTOR AND CHANGE MAKER
FINANCIAL ACTIVITY. 2018/19 saw the company transition out of the exceptional UK City of Culture year in 2017. Following the upscaled year in 2017 we found our ‘new normal’ in a climate of standstill core investment from Arts Council England and Hull City Council, together with increased costs as a result of the rise in living wage, inflation and pension contributions. However, prudent financial management including the development of new income
generation streams and effective cost control enabled the company to maintain a healthy financial position. Earned income has increased from 44% to 53% and annual turnover increased by 17%, both since the last comparable year, 2015/16.
Income notes: • Fundraising income includes the successful
BOX OFFICE 40%
Give the Gift of Theatre scheme.
• Income from trading subsidiaries includes catering and the hire of theatre space/facilities.
• Other income incorporates a new income stream from third party ticketing.
HULL CITY COUNCIL AND ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND 47%
TOTAL EARNED INCOME 53%
FUNDRAISING 3% TRADING SUBSIDIARIES 5% HIRES & OTHER 5% HULL TRUCK THEATRE
FINANCE
The graphics below are an unaudited summary of the financial activities of Hull Truck Theatre for the 2018/19 financial year. They represent income, expenditure and transfers in respect of the company’s unrestricted general funds. Further details can be found in the audited accounts which are available publicly from Companies House and the Charity Commission.
Expenditure notes: • £1 million was spent on theatre productions. • Operation costs are largely fixed and were approximately equal to the combined investments of Arts Council England and Hull City Council.
OPERATIONS 42%
• Designated projects include plans for the use of digital innovation and the upgrade of production equipment.
PRODUCTION 42% CREATIVE LEARNING & ARTIST DEVELOPMENT 5% MARKETING 6% DESIGNATED PROJECTS 2% TRANSFER TO RESERVES 3%
WORKING TOGETHER. We are committed to working closely and collaboratively with our core partners and funders, Hull City Council and Arts Council England, to deliver an ambitious cultural strategy for the city. Cultural Collisions Network We are part of Cultural Collisions, a group of leaders from 10 Hull-based cultural organisations who regularly receive core public funding to develop and produce great art in Hull. The collective exists to develop and strengthen the cultural architecture of the city, ensuring Hull remains a world-class cultural destination with the high levels of resident participation. Together we: advocate for arts and culture in Hull through a shared voice; explore possibilities for joint working; contribute to city-wide arts marketing and evidence the impact of the Cultural Collisions organisations to make the case for culture.
IETM Hull 2019 We hosted the Informal European Theatre meeting, which saw over 400 national and international delegates arrive in Hull for four days of speaker sessions, discussions, workshops, panel discussions and performances. The event was delivered by Absolutely Cultured, British Council and Arts Council England. HULL TRUCK THEATRE
WORKING TOGETHER
Hull Evaluation and Research Steering Group As members of the University of Hull’s multi-agency group we contribute its aims of identifying and utilising the impacts of Hull UK City of Culture 2017, offering strategic leadership and guidance for the long-term legacies of the extraordinary year.
Welcome new Patrons Rosie Millard OBE and Barrie Rutter OBE joined us as inaugural members of a new Patrons scheme. As Patrons they support the theatre’s charitable objectives and are proud advocates for our work.
Shoot The Bull We were thrilled to announce our new partnership with Shoot The Bull. This collaboration between two award-winning local businesses will provide both theatre audiences and the general public with high quality, restaurant style street food.
WHAT NEXT? Hull Truck Theatre at 50!
Training and Development
We are looking towards Hull Truck Theatre’s 50th anniversary and with ambitions raised by the success of projects during Hull 2017 we are dreaming big to build a year-long season 2021/22 that focuses on ‘Future 50’. Working plans explore opportunities for community participation, exciting artistic partnerships, getting beyond the walls of our building and asking…what do the next 50 years look like for audiences and artists?
We are committed to providing ongoing training and professional development opportunities for our staff and for those wishing to build an off stage career in theatre.
Maritime Hull Working in partnership with Hull City Council we will support the city’s exciting plans to redevelop its maritime assets and be recognised as Yorkshire’s maritime city through our artistic and engagement programmes.
Internally, training for all staff will focus on digital skills, safeguarding, dementia awareness and mental health first aid, as well as bespoke training programmes related to specific job roles. Externally, we will deliver a second Off Stage Choices day in 2019, a Technical Skills Training Programme in 2020 and create three new entry level roles, Marketing Apprentice, Creative Learning Intern and Trainee Technical Assistant, all of which are targeted to young people from disadvantaged areas of Hull.
WHAT NEXT?
HULL TRUCK THEATRE
Main Image Credits (In order of appearance)
Princess and the Hustler
THE OTHER RICHARD
TEN
CHRIS PEPPER
Oliver Twist SAM TAYLOR
Great Adventures in Storyland CHRIS PEPPER
Technical Skills Training Programme PHIL BATTY
The Roaring Girls TOM ARRAN
The Ugly Duckling CHRIS PEPPER
Oliver Twist SAM TAYLOR
Jack Lear
NOBBY CLARK
HULL TRUCK THEATRE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES SUPPORT FROM: BEST BOX OFFICE
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