What is The Hired Man? Posted on 9th April 2016 by HTC Admin For those of you not familiar with this musical we thought it’d be a good idea to let you know what this show is all about – and who better to ask than some of the cast themselves? http://www.hessletheatre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/What-is-the-Hired-Man.mp4
The Hired Man – a teaser… Posted on 19th March 201620th March 2016 by HTC Admin For those of you who haven’t seen THE HIRED MAN previously, we thought we’d give you a little background on the show, just so you know what to expect when coming along. THE HIRED MAN begins at the turn of the 20th Century when young newlyweds, John & Emily, start a fresh life in the Cumbrian farmlands where they can raise a family and fulfil John’s passion of working the land. The joys of hiring fairs and village festivities begin to pale in the face of life’s struggles and soon Emily is warmed by the attentions of the local heartthrob, Jackson, with painful consequences. Leaving for town life with their two children, the bonds of the family are further tested by the challenges of colliery life and the ultimate tragedies brought by the Great War. Based on Melvyn Bragg’s epic novel, THE HIRED MAN is a powerful celebration of the British survival spirit and a heart-rending testament to the enduring power of love. When THE HIRED MAN was originally produced in the West End by Andrew Lloyd Webber it was hailed as the “British Les Miserables” for its soaring music, epic story and emotional heart. It won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Musical, the TMA Award for Best Musical and earned four Olivier Award nominations. The show is being directed by Martin Beaumont and has been on his list of favourite productions for many years. Martin explains “The Hired Man has had a very special place in my heart, having fallen in love with the cast recording of the show over 30 years ago. As an audience member, my reaction to the piece has always been incredibly powerful and it never fails to stir strong feelings and leave me exhilarated by a damn good story (and having had a good old cry!)…” He adds “There is a purity of intent, a truth and simplicity in the story and the way it is told that is extremely potent. The story is one of ordinary people’s lives, like you or I, who have to overcome life’s struggles and find love and forgiveness (of each other and oneself). There are no sumptuous balls, or sunset romances: but life-changing events around the kitchen table or in the mud-filled trenches of the Great War. And the music and lyrics are uncomplicated by pretension and hit you straight in the gut – raising the roof or tearing directly at your heart.” Performance Details Hull Truck Theatre Tuesday 26th April 2016 to Saturday 30th April 2016 with performances every night and a Saturday matinee – call 01482 323628 or visit http://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/operamusical/the-hired-man/
2015 Award Winners Posted on 11th September 201511th September 2015 by HTC Admin On Wednesday 9th September, following our AGM winners of this year’s awards were announced. For a full list of current and previous awards winners, please visit our Membership Section. Achievement – Mark Jardine Non-Performing Contribution – Amanda Marshall Character Performance – Michelle Metcalfe Outstanding Chorus (F) – Sally Hague Outstanding Chorus (M) – Jack Simmonds Comedy Performance – James Galer For a full list of previous winners, please visit our Membership Section
The Hired Man Posted on 13th July 201522nd July 2016 by HTC Admin The Hired Man – Hull Truck Theatre, 26-30th April 2016 … Download our full Cast List Show outline When it first transferred to the West End, ‘The Hired Man’ was dubbed “The British Les Mis” by the press for its dramatic, powerful and soaring score. It is an epic musical love story about the heroic lives of ordinary, working-class northerners at the turn of the century. The show is based on Melvyn Bragg’s novel about his father’s life. There is humour in the show at times, but the main thrust of the story is drama. Earthy, gutsy and honest are words that come to mind. Originally produced in the West End by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on Melvyn Bragg’s stirring novel, ‘The Hired Man’ is a tragic love story set against the background of a Cumbrian mining town around the time of World War 1. Howard Goodall’s superb score is strong in the British choral tradition and is overflowing with a marvellous succession of chorales, operatic duets and vigorous foot-stomping rhythms which bring to life the working class hiring fairs, ritual-whippet racing, drinking bouts and union meetings. This beautiful musical brings alive that cavalcade of British history which swept us into a new century and a war to end all wars. During its West End run, The Hired Man was awarded the Ivor Novello Award for Best Musical, earned four Olivier Award nominations, and was voted Best Musical of the Year by the critics of Time Out, The Guardian, Punch & The Stage.
Into The Woods – Rapunzel Posted on 13th June 2015 by HTC Admin Want to know a little bit of background on the characters in the show? Here’s our interpretation of one of the characters, we like to think that everyone has a bit of an untold story… Rapunzel, played by Bekki Grange What kind of person are you, what character traits do you have? Having spent all of my life to date confined in my tower, seeing nothing more than a woodland landscape and my only company being my mother (the witch), I am a very vulnerable and naïve young woman. I am loving and appreciative of my mother’s care – she has allowed me to live safely and happily, however I am now becoming of an age where ‘I am no longer a child’ and ‘I wish to see the world’. Tell us a little bit about your back story I have lived in a tower all of my life. My mother took me there when I was just a baby, out of love and protection. I know nothing of the world, and unfortunately the overly sheltered life my mother has provided for me, has only increased my curiosity and led me to secretly stray from my tower, entering the world with very little knowledge of it. What happens to you in the show? A handsome prince visits me in my tower, and although I try to hide this from my mother, she finds out and I am severely punished. She cuts my beautiful hair and banishes me to a desert with no food or company. If this situation wasn’t difficult enough, I am utterly traumatised when I find myself giving birth to twins completely alone. What scares you / What excites you? The world excites me but it scares me too – my mother tells me about princes, wolves and humans out there in the world and that I should stay in the tower where she can shield me from them. Tell us about her relationships with other characters in the show I love my mother dearly, but at the same time I am afraid of her. She cannot bear to let me venture into the world and experience life which I so desperately want to do. My prince made me feel special – I got butterflies in my tummy when he used to visit me. I felt incredibly guilty and upset when my mother found out and blinded him. Into the Woods is on at Hull Truck Theatre 7-11 July 2015. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01482 323638 or book online.
Into The Woods, Cinderella Posted on 13th June 201513th June 2015 by HTC Admin Want to know a little bit of background on the characters in the show? Here’s our interpretation of one of the characters, we like to think that everyone has a bit of an untold story… Cinderella, played by Sally Hague Name? Ella. Got the nickname Cinderella from her stepsisters as she’s covered in ashes/cinders most of the time. What kind of person is Cinderella? Cinderella is a very good, honest and kind hearted young maiden. She has faith in what she wishes as she believes that someday they may come true. She is an intelligent lady. Being intelligent also makes her very indecisive as she thinks of many possible outcomes with each decision she makes. Tell us a little bit about her back story. She lived with her wealthy parents on a beautiful estate in a peaceful kingdom. They went to festivals as a family, held gatherings for friends and looked after all around them, including many animals. Showing Cinderella the beauty and wonderful things in life. At the age of 12 her mother became ill. On her death bed she made Cinderella promise that she will always have a good heart and be to nice to all, no matter what. Years later, Cinderella now a teenager her father remarries a Lady who has two daughters of her own. Cinderella welcomes them with an open heart. Soon after her father is called away for work. Sadly on his travels he became ill and dies. Ella now orphaned, has only a stepfamily who make her earn her keep doing all work and chores in the house. Spending most her time in the kitchen, Cinderella has only the birds she befriended as a child who remind her of her parents and keeps the faith in her heart which longs for a life of freedom from the lonely, trapped life she currently lives. What kind of things happen to her? Cinderella wishes more than anything to attend the king’s festival. She sets off ‘Into The Woods’ to seek guidance from her mothers grave which she visits often when feeling alone, confused or questions herself. Cinderella makes her wish once more. Then, down falls a beautiful gown to attend the ball. Later, Cinderella is being chased by a very charming Prince and his steward from the ball, when she meets the Bakers Wife. The Bakers Wife offers assistance, unknowing that Cinderella holds one of the items needed to break the curse! Doe she get it or not? What scares you / What excites you? Thing’s which scare Cinderella. Being alone & People getting hurt. What excites Cinderella: Freedom such as open fields, quiet pounds and castles Tell us about her relationships with other characters in the show The relationship between Cinderella and her stepmother and stepsisters is a dark, neglected one. They bully, tease and abuse her constantly from what she looks like to even depriving her of her wishes. Her relationship with the prince is a distant one. Although she has everything a girl could dream of, it isn’t all what it seemed it’d be like … Into the Woods is on at Hull Truck Theatre 7-11 July 2015. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01482 323638 or book online.
Into The Woods, Baker / Baker’s Wife Posted on 11th June 2015 by HTC Admin Want to know a little bit of background on the characters in the show? Here’s our interpretation of one of the characters, we like to think that everyone has a bit of an untold story… The Baker, played by Russell Fallon What kind of person are you? Oh, you know just normal like everyone else Tell us a little bit about your back story. Well, I’m an orphan who took over my dad’s business some time ago , went to Three Oaks School for the Gifted Breadmaker and just scraped through to pass. What kind of things happen to you? My wife and I (The bakers wife) have long wished for a child but after finding a way to finally lift our curse we are looking for 4 x items , in order to lift the spell put on me by an evil witch. What scares you / What excites you? What scares me most is being without a child for all my adult life and feeling like a failure to my wife. I’m excited by new wheat based products (sweet or savoury I’m not fussy). Tell us about your relationships with other characters in the show My wife and I have been married 5-6 years (not sure on the date ask her!). We started well but it’s become a little fractious recently what with the child bearing issues. But she means the world to me. Our neighbours Jack and his mother are an odd pair; Jack particularly seems somewhat attached to his cow and although we never really talk I can see his grasp on the sex of his pet maybe a little confusing for him. The Baker’s Wife, played by Hannah Wilson What kind of person are you? Caring, loving wife but frustrated not being able to conceive. I tend to wear the trousers in my relationship with my husband as I’m strong-willed, confident and assertive. All I want is for us to be a perfect family. Maybe a baby will fix my marriage? If I’m honest, my eyes can do a bit of ‘window shopping’ with a Prince around but who wouldn’t?! Tell us a little bit about your back story. Eldest of 5 girls and my parents are pretty well off. I met my future husband at the local market where I was charmed by his honest simpleness of a very sweet man, who was the trainee Baker. Not the life I expected but I truly love my husband even if he drives me mad sometimes! I’m not afraid of hard work and all I want is a baby to make my life complete. What kind of things happen to you? The witch next door comes over and says she has put a curse on our family to never have children. She does however tell us how we can lift the curse by collecting a few items. A cow as white as milk, cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, slipper as pure as gold. You get the picture, just your everyday normal things… What scares you / What excites you? What scares me is the thought of never having a child and to lead a childless life. The woods can be creepy too. As for being excited, the thought of having a baby. (a dream come true). But also meeting a Prince? Wow that would be amazing. Tell us about your relationships with other characters in the show Cinderella: I meet her in the wood and we soon become friends. She tells me all about the ball and we dream of the Prince together however I can’t understand why Cinderella is running away from him! Little Red: A young girl in the village who is a regular in our bakery. She’s very cheeky but I like her if I’m honest and kind of feel motherly towards her as she’s a girl who feels like a daughter to me. Into the Woods is on at Hull Truck Theatre 7-11 July 2015. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01482 323638 or book online.
Into The Woods, Prince Charming Posted on 11th June 201511th June 2015 by HTC Admin Want to know a little bit of background on the characters in the show? Here’s our interpretation of one of the characters, we like to think that everyone has a bit of an untold story… Prince Charming, played by James Galer What kind of person are you? I’m incredibly sensitive, clever, well mannered, considerate, passionate, charming, as kind as I’m handsome and heir to a throne. Modesty? Who needs it… Tell us a little bit about your back story. Growing up as the heir to a throne is not easy, I was showered with luxury, had people fawning over me for as long as I can remember and have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders What kind of things happen to you? I meet a beautiful young woman at a ball held to find me a wife, but she runs away from me on all three nights. Eventually I come up with a plan which leaves me a clue as to who this woman is and I venture out in search for her. What scares you / What excites you? Blood / New Experiences! Tell us about your relationships with other characters in the show 1) Rapunzels Prince: He is my princes brother and whenever we bump into each other in the woods we exchange stories about the women that we just cant seem to catch. 2) The Steward: The Steward is my faithful companion who follows me everywhere, basically living purely to serve me. 3) Women: For some reason they seem to like me… Into the Woods is on at Hull Truck Theatre 7-11 July 2015. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01482 323638 or book online.
Into The Woods, Jack Posted on 11th June 201511th June 2015 by HTC Admin Want to know a little bit of background on the characters in the show? Here’s our interpretation of one of the characters, we like to think that everyone has a bit of an untold story… Jack, played by Jowan Long What kind of person are you? I seek adventure and dream about exploring the kingdom instead of staying at home with my Mum. Tell us a little bit about your back story. I live at home with my Mum and my best friend milky white, I have to help my mum work to provide food for us to eat. I often wonder what else there is for me in life as I don’t want to feel trapped at home with my mum. What kind of things happen to you? My mother makes/made me sell my cow which I really didn’t want to do and in return I got 5 beans but they are magic! My mother wasn’t too pleased with the exchange and then chucked the out of the window. Now I have a gigantic beanstalk that leads me to my favourite place in the world, the kingdom of the giant! What scares you / What excites you? Adventure excites me especially in the giants kingdom. I find having the freedom to do what I want really exciting but being alone for too long really scares me. Tell us about your relationships with other characters in the show My mum bosses me around all the time and makes me do lots of jobs which annoys me as I don’t want to do them. I know she loves me and that’s why she treats me like this so I can become a man and be ready for the world but she won’t let me become a man as she is too scared about losing me. I don’t really have any other friends apart from my cow, Milky White. There is this one girl I sometimes see skipping by our house. She always wears a bright red cape and she likes to show it off to everyone in the kingdom, I’d quite like to be her friend but I think she is probably too good for me, especially with clothes like that cape. Into the Woods is on at Hull Truck Theatre 7-11 July 2015. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01482 323638 or book online.
Into The Woods, Mr Wolf Posted on 8th June 2015 by HTC Admin Want to know a little bit of background on the characters in the show? Here’s our interpretation of one of the characters, we like to think that everyone has a bit of an untold story… The Wolf, played by Richard Foot Your name? …err “Mr Wolf” What kind of person are you? Charismatic and quite cultured for your average wolf, yet sly and predatory too! Tell us a little bit about your back story. I am one of the few wolves left in the wood after a recent culling. With no family left I tend to wander solitary though the woods hoping to stumble across some “rare” meat! What kind of things happen to you? My path crosses with an annoyingly tasty looking girl wearing a hideously bright red cape! Hunger strikes and feeling rather peckish the girl comes to a mysterious end… What scares you / What excites you? I am excited by the thought of “eating out” and enjoy woodland walks. Being quite vain, I’m scared of my receding furline… Tell us about your relationships with other characters in the show I have a very close relationship with two characters in the show, Little Red and Granny. These two females tend to really get under my skin and I’m sure one day they’ll be the death of me! Into the Woods is on at Hull Truck Theatre 7-11 July 2015. To book tickets call the Box Office on 01482 323638 or book online.
