Hull Truck’s spring / summer 2010 season, which sees the theatre celebrate the first anniversary in its new home, will take audiences on a trip to Paris, to see the King and even under the sea! The line-up features seven Hull Truck productions; revivals of John Godber classics April in Paris and Lucky Sods, an exciting new adaptation of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, comedy from Loot and Cooking With Elvis and drama with Kiss of the Spider Woman and a youth theatre production of Marat Sade. The £15m venue will also welcome a wealth of visiting comedians, musicians, speakers and other shows. Highlights include Tommy Cooper tribute show Jus’ Like That, family shows from Charlie and Lola, cookery demonstrations by James Martin, a performance by the Waterson Family and the launch of the Larkin 25 events, marking the 25th anniversary of Philip Larkin’s death.

Artistic Director Gareth Tudor Price said: “We have a very exciting line-up for the forthcoming season, offering our audiences more variety than ever before. We have some great Hull Truck productions, several of which are back by popular demand, alongside some exciting new work. There is also an enormous variety of visiting acts, some quite experimental and different for Hull Truck. We feel there really is something for everyone in the season and hope even more people will take the opportunity to experience live theatre and performance.”

The season gets underway with a revival of John Godber’s April in Paris (March 4-27). Although first performed in 1992, April in Paris remains as relevant today as ever, with the play following an unemployed builder, Al, and his wife, Bet, after they win a holiday to Paris. The couple’s hilarious attempts to tackle the French sights, food and art won this classic a nomination for the 1994 Olivier Comedy of the Year.

In April, the Hull Truck Youth Theatre will take the stage in the Studio Theatre with the second 10:18 event (April 7-10). This gives young writers the chance to see their work brought to life, and the opportunity to win an extra prize thanks to First Hull Trains. The youth theatre will also tackle Marat Sade, widely regarded as one of the most significant plays of all time, in August (25 – 28). The youth theatre has established a reputation for developing local talent and they will tackle this production head-on as reality, music, dance and revolutionary fervour fuse in an exploration of theatrical imagination.

Next up is Loot (April 15 – May 8) – written by Joe Orton and directed by Gareth Tudor Price. This is a scandalous farce which warns that it will shock and outrage audiences! Behind the closed doors of the McLeavy household, there is chaos involving a dead body, some stolen cash, a sexy nurse and a glass eye!

The end of May will see Hull Truck venture into unchartered territory with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (May 27 – June 19). This is a new adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic novel by John Godber and promises to be truly spectacular. The play will bring to life, through drama and original songs, the adventures of Captain Nemo and the crew of the Nautilus. It touches on a range of issues, including the importance of marine conservation and science; Hull Truck will be working in conjunction with the city’s submarium, The Deep.

The Studio Theatre, which has become a very popular, intimate venue, will host Kiss of the Spider Woman (June 10 – 26) – a play directed by Hannah Chiswick. This will be a powerful portrayal of the drama brought to life in the 1985 film starring William Hurt.

The King is back! June also sees the eagerly-anticipated return of Cooking With Elvis (June 24 – July 10). Lee Hall’s outrageous comedy has proved one of Hull Truck Theatre’s most popular productions in recent years and this season three of the original cast will be back to star. Summer time will see the return of Lucky Sods (July 22 – August 7), John Godber’s classic comedy which toured nationally last year to great feedback from audiences. Thanks to a huge win on the Lottery, Morris and Jean find themselves millionaires overnight – but is hitting the jackpot really all it is cracked up to be?

In March, Hull Truck is serving up its first Food Festival (March 7). The theatre is delighted to welcome James Martin, star of Saturday morning television, who will perform three demonstrations and will be supported by local chef Nigel Brown. Hull Truck will also be transformed into an indoor market for the day, hosting stalls from local food producers.

The theatre will welcome another familiar face in April as Casualty’s Clive Mantle takes the stage in Tommy Cooper tribute show Jus’ Like That (April 8 – 10). This show is said to be the closest you can get to seeing the late, great comedian live. Comedy fans can also enjoy another top season of stand-up – including Tom Wrigglesworth (March 14), Arthur Smith (June 6) and Jason Manford (June 27). Younger audiences can also enjoy lots of laughs with visits from Charlie and Lola (March 30 – April 1) and Peppa Pig (August 12 – 14), along with a new season of the theatre’s own Truck Tales.

Music-lovers will be delighted to see another top season of folk, roots and acoustic events planned. Among the highlights will be a show by Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham (March 21) and a performance by the Waterson Family (August 15). Marking their fifth decade as the country’s first family of folk, the legendary Watersons are coming home to Hull. Norma, Mike, Martin are joined for this rare performance by the second generation of their famous family: Eliza, Eleanor, Maria, Ann, Oliver and Rachel. In May, the theatre will stage a week of music events (May 11 – 15), with music styles ranging from rock with Keep it CASH (May 11) to flamenco with Juan Martin Flamenco Ensemble (May 12) and jazz from Clare Teal (May 13). Hull Truck will also once again be a host venue for the Hull Jazz Festival, hosting a range of events from July 11 – 18.

Truck is also teaming up with Hull City Council on Hull Dance 2010, with two amazing performances in the diary. On May 5, the Studio Theatre will host a performance of Extra-Ordinary – a duet written, directed and performed by David Toole and Lucy Hind - one with no legs, one with no clue. On May 19, the theatre will welcome the Rosie Kay Dance Company with 5 Soldiers. This is a timely, controversial, thought-provoking and moving exploration of war in modern times.

The launch of Larkin 25 will be held on June 12, with a special event featuring Alan Plater. Hull Truck will then host a special exhibition in its foyers of all things Larkin.

Hull Truck’s second performance space, the Studio Theatre, will be used for a wide range of events. 4.48 Psychosis (March 11 – 12), which was an award winner at the National Student Drama Festival in 2008, will be performed exclusively for Hull Truck and fans of The Clash will not want to miss punk play Meeting Joe Strummer (March 26-27).

To see details of all forthcoming events, and to book tickets, visit www.hulltruck.co.uk