Hull Truck Theatre and Hull UK City of Culture 2017 Present THE LAST TESTAMENT OF LILLIAN BILOCCA

Hull Truck Theatre and Hull UK City of Culture 2017 today announce the world première of The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca, a new play written by Maxine Peake especially for the final season of Hull 2017. Tickets will go on sale today at 2pm.

This site-specific performance will lead audiences through Hull's historic Guildhall, the Grade II listed home of Hull City Council. It sees Peake reunite with regular collaborator Sarah Frankcom and features a live musical score from celebrated folk artists Adrian McNally and The Unthanks.

Follow Hull hero Lillian Bilocca and her crew of head-scarved women through The Guildhall, joining them in 1968 as they dare to speak out and take action to improve the safety conditions for their men at sea.

Witness the Three Day Millionaires' riotous return home from the wet and wild west, and dance at the ghostly Silver Cod Ball, the trawler owners' annual slap on the back.

Become part of their story as it unfolds and immerse yourself in Hull's fishing community. Celebrate the vivid and dangerous lives of its trawler men and unite against the feudal power of the ship owners.

Written by Maxine Peake, directed by Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight, and with an original live score by folk's finest - The Unthanks - this unique site-specific production will take audiences on an unforgettable journey using music, storytelling, movement and performance to celebrate an inspirational period in Hull's history and a force for change that resonated far beyond the city.

It's time to tell the world.

Join the community company

Hull Truck Theatre and Hull UK City of Culture 2017 are looking for men aged 18+ to join a community company as part of The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca.

The community company will help to bring the performance to life through a series of physical and movement sequences, alongside the professional company and world class creative team. They will participate in a series of workshops and rehearsals with Co-director/Choreographer Imogen Knight and Associate Movement Director, Jon Beney, to build movement ability and confidence before appearing in the production.

For more information visit www.hulltruck.co.uk or visit the Hull Truck Theatre Box Office to pick up a form.

Quotes

Maxine Peake, Writer, says:

'I am extremely honoured and more than a little excited to be working in collaboration with Hull City of Culture on The Last Testament of Lilian Billoca. We hope our telling of this story about the extraordinary women from this extraordinary city will entertain and stimulate an outsiders view on a past community in a city that is very much alive and kicking hard!'

Adrian McNally, Composer, says:

'We are so tremendously excited to work with the brilliant Maxine Peake and Sarah Frankcom, on a story that is so specific to one place and yet the themes of power, gender, community, mob mentality, superstition, survival and love, speak of us all. It is both thrilling and nerve wracking to work with modern history that to some will still feel like yesterday, in a city I went through 6 times a year for most of my childhood, on our way to family holidays in Withernsea.'

Sarah Frankcom, Director, says:

'I'm thrilled to be making The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca for Hull 2017 in collaboration with Maxine Peake and Imogen Knight. It's a real privilege to be creating and exploring such an vital and revolutionary story with the City, and with an amazingly talented creative team and local community ensemble.'

Mark Babych, Artistic Director at Hull Truck Theatre, says:

'The Last Testament of Lillian Bilocca is exactly the kind of story that Hull Truck Theatre is passionate about; it has a powerful local resonance but also celebrates the national significance of a Hull hero. Lillian achieved a great deal in her life and it's an honour to share her story as part of the Tell the World season.

We're really excited to be taking the work of Hull Truck Theatre beyond its walls, delivering a piece of exceptional drama with world-class artists at the Guildhall in Hull. Local people can be a part of the community company which is a truly unique opportunity, and something I urge people to get involved with. It's going to be such a special event and one of the highlights of our Hull 2017 programme.'

Martin Green, Director of Hull 2017, says:

'Maxine Peake and Sarah Frankcom have been collaborating on critically acclaimed shows for over a decade so it's exciting to see them bring their incredibly successful creative partnership to Hull for a world premiere, which explores a story rooted in the city. Once again we are taking amazing work into non-traditional theatre venues, offering the audience a unique and immersive experience in one of the city's most historic buildings.'

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