Madama Butterfly

Senbla presents Opera International’s award-winning Ellen Kent production featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.

Puccini: Madama Butterfly

WINNER ‘BEST OPERA AWARD’ – Liverpool Daily Post Theatre Awards

Back by overwhelming public demand, this award-winning opera returns in a new production with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.

One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results.

Highlights include the melodic ‘Humming Chorus’, the moving aria ‘One Fine Day’ and the unforgettable ‘Love Duet’.

Directed by Ellen Kent.

Sung in Italian with English subtitles

*Cast subject to change.

“Above all it was a production which captured the raw emotion at the centre of the opera. Don’t take a handkerchief with you, take a box of them.” – The Independent

La Traviata

Senbla presents Opera International’s award-winning Ellen Kent production featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.

Verdi- La Traviata. The love story that gripped Paris

A tragic tale of searing passion and memorable music, La Traviata is Verdi’s outstanding interpretation of one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century, La Dame aux Camelias.

Based on a true story, it tells of the passionate loves and life of the consumptive courtesan, Violetta.

There are many echoes of Verdi’s own life in Traviata and he threw himself into the music. The highlights include the Brindisi, the best known drinking song in opera, the duet ‘Un Di Felice’ and Violetta’s haunting aria ‘Addio Del Passato’.

This magnificent production boasts sumptuous sets and costumes.

Directed by Ellen Kent.

Sung in Italian with English subtitles.
* Cast subject to change

“First-rate singing.” – The Stage

“Alyona Kistenyova has a lovely soprano voice and sang with precision and excellent tone.” – Manchester Theatre Awards

“Uplifting, charming, heroic and finally tear-jerking.” – Liverpool Echo

La Boheme

Senbla presents Opera International’s award-winning Ellen Kent Production of La Bohème featuring the Ukrainian Opera & Ballet Theatre Kyiv, with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.

Directed by Ellen Kent, this brand-new production is traditionally staged and features beautiful sets and costumes.

La Bohème is one of the most romantic operas ever written. It tells the tragic tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer.

The set reflects the Bohemian art of the period and will include snow effects and Muzetta’s dog will also make an entrance.

This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including ‘Your Tiny Hand is Frozen’, ‘They Call Me Mimi’ and ‘Muzetta’s Waltz’.

“Authentic, tender and passionate” – Daily Telegraph

Sung in Italian with English subtitles.

*Cast subject to change.

Wizard of Oz Youth Edition

Join us for an enchanting journey down the Yellow Brick Road with “The Wizard of Oz” musical! Follow Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion as they embark on an unforgettable adventure to the Emerald City. Featuring beloved songs, dazzling costumes, and magical moments, this timeless classic promises to captivate audiences of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to experience the wonder of Oz live on stage!

Cabaret with Balls

“Shockingly Funny”

Charlie Bicknell and Louise Innes embark on a new show with their own inimitable mash of the irreverent and surreal.

From Flashdance to Simon and Garfunkel interspersed with stimulating radio broadcasts from BBCs ‘Back Row’. Expect AC/DC and even a throw-back to Not the Nine O Clock news. Cabaret with Balls is a refreshing departure from real life and an arrival at the conclusion that it’s all bollocks anyway.

Welcome back Benedict Cumberbatch and of course, Charlie will still be Holding out for that Hero.

Charlie Bicknell has been performing extensively as an actress for many years both on screen and on stage, making a name for herself in TV series playing the troubled in ‘This Life’, psychopathic serial killers in the West End, and Tim Currys’ lesbian lover in a totally terrible film. She subsequently moved onto cabaret and circus, traveling the world with David Harrod on piano, literally spinning from the rooftops, big tops, church tops and without a top whilst gamely singing increasingly more diverse material. Louise Innes, was a highly respectable internationally acclaimed opera singer, having played in sensational venues such as ENO, ROC, and all other impressive sounding acronyms. She has since revealed herself to be delightfully outrageous and excels in combining comic skill with outstanding vocals. Charlie and Louise have been working together with David Harrod, a mesmeric pianist, for the past 8 years, ever reinventing themselves, as let’s face it, not all of us can afford Botox.

“A heady, edgy high octane mix of  English rose, vamp and  Cruella, shamelessly sexy, murderously funny, you have been warned…roses have thorns… Combining a gloriously dark sense of humour with amazing voices, it’s a great fun night out. Not to be missed!’ 

Sue Arnold The Observer.

‘A hilarious rendition of bitter-sweet songs …darkly brilliant tunes… resplendent in a dress that would put Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge to shame”

The Independent on Sunday

“She’s the kind of girl who makes men loosen their ties and women shorten their skirts. You have been warned!”

The Sunday Times

Rocky Horror Show

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show returns to Hull as part of a new world tour.

Having been seen by over 35 million theatregoers, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids–Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter.

It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror Show is the biggest party and features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Dammit Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting show-stopping Time Warp.

★★★★★ – The Telegraph

“Fierce and fabulous fun!” – Daily Express

“Still the sexiest and funniest show in town” – Evening Standard

Ghost The Musical

Walking back to their apartment late one night, a tragic encounter sees Sam murdered and his beloved girlfriend Molly alone, in despair and utterly lost.

But with the help of a phony storefront psychic, Sam, trapped between this world and the next, tries to communicate with Molly in the hope of saving her from grave danger…

The movie Ghost is one of cinema’s biggest all-time hits. Starring the late Patrick Swayze alongside Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg, it was the highest grossing film of 1990 and won an Oscar for screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin who has adapted his screenplay for this musical.

The international smash hit returns to the stage, featuring The Righteous Brothers’ ‘Unchained Melody’ alongside many more terrific songs co-written by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart.

SIX The Musical

DIVORCED ★ BEHEADED ★ LIVE!

The crowning glory of Broadway, the West End and beyond, the international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to Hull following its previous sold out run!

Winner of over 35 international awards including the Tony Award for ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Costume Design’’ double winner of the Whatsonstage Award for ‘Best West End Show’ and a Gold-Disk winning album, this sell-out Tudor take-off has ‘an incredibly strong and powerful message’ (The Australian) and is ‘pure entertainment’ (New York Times).

From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. These Queens may have green sleeves but their lipstick is rebellious red.

Think you know the rhyme, think again…

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book

Based on the original book Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler

Charlie loves reading. Especially books about pirates. But his sister hates it – it’s boring! Can Charlie convince her that reading is fun? Perhaps if she read a book about a pirate, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading a book about a knight…

Come and delve into a range of books with Charlie Cook, brought to life with puppetry and enchanting songs, and perhaps you will be able to help his sister discover the wonderful world inside a book…

★★★★ ‘A charming musical’ WhatsOnStage

★★★★ ‘Intimate yes ambitious children’s show about the joy of reading with exquisite and playful puppets’ The Stage

★★★★ ‘Filled with music, dance and wonderfully creative puppet magic’ Time Well Spent Magazine

Text © Julia Donaldson 2005
Illustrations © Axel Scheffler 2005

Facing The Waves

A story that stretches across the centuries, a timeless responsibility passed on from one generation to the next. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things, putting the lives of others before their own.

Facing The Waves is a new musical from Dogwood Productions whose recent shows have toured England and been heard on BBC Radio 4. It features live songs and music from the award-winning composer, Alastair Collingwood.

Dogwood is honoured to be the official theatre partner for the RNLI as it celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2024.

The show brings together an iconic Victorian hero and a young mum, from the present day. Henry Freeman miraculously survived the Whitby lifeboat disaster when all the twelve other crew members perished, before leading some of the most extraordinary rescue attempts of the century. Faith is his counterpart, from a family steeped in the same tradition, juggling family, career and crewing the lifeboat. Will it be going off to sea or chips for tea?

The landscape and sea are unchanging, but life in a community facing the waves brings new challenges. Henry was an outsider, questioned and shunned for much of his life. Adventure and misadventure, if it wasn’t true, it couldn’t be written. In the 21st century, the tide of tourists masks the challenges that characterises many of our beloved seaside towns. For Henry and Faith there are personal demons to be faced, redemption to be found.

In preparing the show, Dogwood, working with the BBC, conducted numerous interviews with communities along our north-eastern coast, capturing the memories, experiences and expectations of those living by the sea to create an authentic tale.

The company’s shows focus on telling the story of those living in communities less well represented and previous productions have explored the joys and challenges of rural living. Dogwood is a Community Interest Company and features new music, street theatre and puppetry to create distinctive productions.

Alastair Collingwood has composed the music for several Dogwood Productions. He has been a composer for over 30 years and written scores for numerous theatre shows, including, London’s West End. His TV credits include the music for French and Saunders; the sitcoms, Mad About Alice (BBC 1) and Rhona (BBC 2); plus Vanessa’s Real Lives (ITV 1), Killer Shark Live (Five) and How Clean Is Your House? (Channel 4), amongst many others.

Calamity Jane

THE WHIP CRACKIN’ MUSICAL CLASSIC

Gosh almighty! Grab a posse because the whip crackin’ musical comedy classic Calamity Jane is a rollin’ on over the plains to Hull for one week only. Based on the much-loved Doris Day movie, this plumb fancy new production stars the multi-award-winning West End actress and singer Carrie Hope Fletcher (Cinderella, Les Misérables) and begins its UK and Ireland tour in January 2025.

Meet the fearless, gun slingin’ Calamity Jane – biggest mouth in Dakota territory and always up for a fight. She’ll charm you hog-eyed though, especially when trying to win the heart of the dashing Lieutenant Gilmartin, or shooting insults at the notorious Wild Bill Hickok. But when the men of Deadwood fall hard for Chicago stage star Adelaid Adams, Calamity struggles to keep her jealousy holstered. Her heart’s a thumpin’… but who for?

With the sure-fire classic songs The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away), The Black Hills of Dakota, Just Blew in from the Windy City, and the Oscar-winning Secret Love, The Watermill Theatre’s Production of Calamity Jane is directed by Nikolai Foster, co directed and choreographed by Nick Winston and features musical supervision by Olivier, Grammy and Tony Award winner Catherine Jayes.

What are you waiting for, you wild coyotes? Whip-crack-away and book now!

Sunshine on Leith

A jubilant, heartfelt musical about the power of home, the hearth, family and love featuring the songs of The Proclaimers.

Sunshine on Leith follows the highs and lows of Ally and his friend Davy as they search for normality after returning from a tour in Afghanistan. Families, friendships and life are not all plain sailing in this funny and moving story about love and life.
Ally’s marriage proposal is rejected by his childhood sweetheart, a nurse disillusioned with the part-privatised NHS, moves to the US to seek career fulfilment instead. Meanwhile, Davy gets a job in a call centre while his parents war over the discovery, years on, of father’s infidelity.

Sunshine on Leith is a vibrant, energetic piece of musical theatre, loved by audiences and critics alike which had a successful film adaptation released in 2013 starring Jane Horrocks.

From the team that brought you ​’Spend Spend Spend’ and ‘Sugar’.

The Trail to Oregon

The Trail to Oregon is a musical comedy originally produced by StarKid productions.
It is based off the ’90’s video game “The Oregon Trail”, following an All-American family of 5 (two parents, two children and the grandpa) as they make their way from Missouri to Oregon in 1848. During their journey, they encounter the prospect of starvation, bandits and dysentery.
This is the first ever performance in England of this production.

The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow

Based on Washington Irving’s infamous short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a powerful and atmospheric musical by Helen Watts and Eamonn O’Dwyer. It is a story of community; a story of faith, of blood and belief; a story that asks the simple question: what happens when good people make bad choices?

Sing It Loud for Summer

🎤 Sing It Loud For Summer tickets now on sale! 🎟️ 🎭

Our junior classes are bringing the heat with this can’t-miss showcase.

An Evening of Schwartz and Menken

Local theatre company One Off Productions are bringing an evening of Schwartz and Menken to Hull Truck!

Celebrating the music of Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken, the composers of hit musicals including Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors, Wicked, Godspell, Pippin and lots more.

A great evening for all the family with some of your favourite musical theatre numbers and hopefully a few you haven’t heard before.