Christmas in our house officially starts with a visit to the Hull Truck festive production. It’s usually me, my children and my mum who go for a tri-generational theatre trip to kick start our festivities. This year was the 8th year running that we have been and, as always, we had a wonderful afternoon.
It was everything we’ve grown to expect from a Hull Truck Christmas show – a heartwarming script, great acting and singing and a beautiful production. The stage, set and costumes are fantastic and the show is very well put together. The way they have created the set and scenes and the props to show both the ‘human beans’ and the tiny Borrowers is very clever – a huge shout out to the set designers, it must have been a very tough brief!
It is not a panto! It’s a very well produced piece of theatre. I remember loving this book and TV show when I was a child so I was really intrigued by how they would produce it, and they have managed to tell the story in a really interesting and magical way. The actors really bring the story and characters to life; the whole show is played out by just 6 actors (plus musicians), all very talented people.
Age guidance is 7+ and I would say that’s about right; we took 10 and 13 year olds who enjoyed it (if you have younger children Hull Truck have Rapunzel this December aimed at under 6’s). I think children younger than 7 would also enjoy The Borrowers, there is nothing frightening or inappropriate in the show, but the first half is a bit slow to get going so younger ones might fidget.
I always love the experience of going to Hull Truck. No matter where you sit you get a good view and my kids can always see well, the seats are comfy and there is lots of leg room. The cafe is great and there’s lots of seating to have a drink before the show.
Catch the Borrower’s at Hull Truck until 4th January 2025. The show is not overly ‘Christmassy’ so is also a good day out idea for after Christmas and for that long week before the kids go back to school!
Photographer Credit: Tom Arran Photography
29th November 2024 to 4th January 2025
Recommended age: 7+. Discover a magical hidden world under the floorboards! Arrietty Clock is an adventurous and spritely “Borrower”, secretly living under the floorboards of a country house in rural East Yorkshire with her family. This small, but perfectly formed family borrow from the humans above – furnishing their home and fuelling their appetites with their finds, but Arrietty longs for freedom and fresh air.
As Arrietty hits her teenage years, she begins to join her father, Pod, on special borrowing quests – much to the dismay of her mother. However, the Borrowers have one simple rule: to remain hidden from the “human-beans”, especially Mrs Driver, a bad-tempered housekeeper and Crampfurl, the rebellious gardener.
When an evacuee, a human boy from neighbouring Hull, arrives in the main house, Arrietty becomes curious… and starts making mistakes. This results in the family undertaking an epic journey into the unknown to find a new home. Arrietty and her family will face many obstacles and dangers as they trek through a land of strange plants and huge creatures. Can they find somewhere they truly belong? What (and who) might they come up against along the way? And will Arrietty finally feel the warm sun on her face?
Set against a backdrop of Christmas in East Yorkshire during the 1940s Blitz, this enchanting family friendly production explores themes of adventure, friendship and the joy of love and togetherness. A perfect alternative to pantomime during the festive season, magically captivating audiences of all ages.
Book online here or call the box office on 01482 323638.
Hull Truck Theatre, 50 Ferensway, Hull, HU2 8LB.
NB This is an Advertorial Feature for Hull Truck Theatre, however all opinions and views are my own.
