Hull Truck Theatre

The Hull Truck Theatre Company started in 1972, as a touring company that worked in a truck - hence their name. In 1983 the company found a permanent base in Spring Street - a converted Methodist hall that served as their theatre for 25 years (q.v., Hull Truck (Spring St)). By 2004 the converted building was no longer big enough for the company's needs and a new purpose-built theatre was planned. Building commenced on site in nearby Ferensway in 2006. Designed by Wright & Wright Architects, the theatre was completed in early 2009, and officially opened on 25 April.

The impressive dark brick and glass building on Ferensway is a striking change from their former home in the cramped blue-brick building on Spring Street. Its location is a carefully considered part of Hull's regeneration programme, and investment was received from Arts Council England, Hull City Council, Yorkshire Forward, the European Regional Development Fund and ING.

Inside, the spacious foyer is bright, even with glazed black tile walls and unpainted concrete ceilings. The auditorium of the Main Theatre also has its sense of darkness with black corrugated steel walls - but the raked banks of bright red seating surrounding the thrust stage provide a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Main Theatre seats 440 and technical provision is state-of-the-art.

The new build provides Hull Truck with a second space - the Studio Theatre - which seats 134 on a simple rake facing a versatile flat-floored performance space. To mark the theatre's 50th anniversary in 2022, it has renamed The Studio, the Godber Studio, in honour of its artistic director from 1984-2009 John Godber Other facilities within the building include a purpose-built space for learning and education, meeting rooms, large spaces within the upper and lower foyers, and of course improved facilities for the theatre company themselves.

A potentially plain building by description, it is in fact bright, spacious and inviting - and a well-deserved home for a theatre company that is as well-loved as Hull Truck.