A captivating journey through the back streets of Hull
Audiences are invited to meet in a secret location later this month to embark on the captivating theatrical journey through the back streets of Hull in Home Town Story.
Hear poetry from voices that shout from the rooftops, whisper round corners and echo through the squares in this brand new site-specific commission from Absolutely Cultured, which is part of this year’s BBC Contains Strong Language.
Written by award-winning poet and playwright Louise Wallwein and directed by acclaimed director, writer and designer Mark Murphy, Home Town Story features a cast of Hull’s finest poets, wordsmiths and actors, including Russ Litten and Women of Words, as well as visiting poet Zena Edwards, who will all bring the story of the city to life through poetry and performance.
Katy Fuller, Creative Director and Chief Executive at Absolutely Cultured, said: “Building on the success of last year’s inaugural festival, we’re delighted to once again be partnering with the BBC and Wrecking Ball Press to produce the return of the BBC’s national poetry and spoken word festival Contains Strong Language.
“As part of this year’s programme we’ve commissioned a new outdoor piece, Home Town Story, which will offer the audience a playful journey of discovery through the city, punctuated by encounters with poets, beautiful design and performance.
“Hull is a city of words and last year’s festival proved there is an incredible appetite for spoken word and poetry in the city. We’re really excited to bring this original piece of work to Hull and to be featuring local people, as well as local and nationally renowned poets and theatre makers.
“We’re grateful to the BBC for continuing to shine a spotlight on Hull as a place where arts and culture is thriving.”
Mark Murphy, Director of Home Town Story, said: “This is the first performance I will have directed in Hull and I’m proud to be taking part in the legacy of City of Culture, to be part of the next chapter and to help build on the success of last year.
“I am really thrilled to be involved in this project and excited to be making a piece in Hull that responds to the city and involves its people. Home Town Story will be a unique and intimate way to discover poetry in the city. Talented participants and established poets will take audiences on an up close and personal journey of discovery to areas of the city they may never have visited before.”
Sue Roberts, Creative Director of Contains Strong Language, said: “The inaugural Contains Strong Language was a huge success with audiences and artists last year, so I’m really pleased that we are coming back to Hull in 2018 by popular request. We’ve got a packed programme filled with new commissions, premieres and developing work, performed by an exciting group of local, national and international poets. We hope there’s something for everyone here.”
Home Town Story runs from Friday 28 until Sunday 30 September 2018. Performances will take place each day at 1pm, 3.30pm and 5.30pm, with BSL interpreted performances at 5.30pm on Friday 28 September and 1pm on Saturday 29 September. The secret location will be revealed to ticket holders a few days before the show. Tickets are free and can be booked via the Event Brite website.