December 5 2009 – January 2 2010

The region’s children will be invited to get their first taste of Hull Truck’s new Main Theatre this Christmas as the company stages its unique take on the classic Pinocchio. Associate Director Nick Lane has written Hull Truck’s festive shows for years and built a massive following, with his shows at the company’s former Spring Street home often selling out. This is Hull Truck’s first Christmas in its new home on Ferensway and the first time that a children’s show has been staged in the Main Theatre. Pinocchio will feature a cast of actor-musicians, who will tell the classic tale through a mix of stories and songs.

Nick said: “Having the opportunity to write the first children’s Christmas show in the new theatre is amazing for me. I’m really buzzing about the possibilities, but keen not to do anything I’ve done before. So this time there’ll be a company of four and they’ll be actor-musicians, because the idea of live music on that incredible new stage just feels right.”

In previous years, Nick has adapted other classic tales including Little Red Riding Hood and Snow White. This time he will take on Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, the story of the puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. While audiences may think that they know the story of Pinocchio, this version is a long way from the Disney film and has been given a Truck twist!

Nick said: “I love Disney films, and I loved Pinocchio in particular as a child, but I think that you have to give audiences something different because it’s a live medium, and because audiences deserve to see something fresh. Plus, it’s not a cartoon, it’s real people- we can’t compete with an animated talking cricket in a suit, we have to find other ways of doing things like that. If I can pass my excitement and enthusiasm for the story onto the cast, who can then pass it on to the audience, I think we could be looking at a very special Christmas treat.”

To book tickets, call the box office on 01482 323638 or visit www.hulltruck.co.uk