New fund launched to bring city's stories to life

The Mike Bradwell New Work Fund was created in honour of the theatre's founder who died in April

A new fund has been launched in Hull which will bring local stories to life on stage.

The Mike Bradwell New Work Fund was announced by Hull Truck Theatre, located on Ferensway, in memory of Mike Bradwell who founded the company in 1971.

The theatre said it had already raised just over half of the £30,000 needed to research and develop three commissioned pieces by local writers.

Mark Babych, artistic director for the company, said the fund will help them "continue to take risks in a climate which is often challenging and risk-averse."

'Real stories'

The money raised so far was from donor contributions and a leading grant from The Foyle Foundation, according to Hull Truck Theatre.

Extra funding would be put towards further creative work at the venue.

Mr Bradwell, who died on 7 April at the age of 77, toured out of the back of a truck with fellow actors, with a form of theatre that put "real people and stories centre stage", the theatre said.

A spokesperson for the theatre said: "Ultimately, we want to make sure that new plays remain a fundamental part of the company's output and future.

"Mike Bradwell believed in the power of real people's stories on stage which reflect those in the audience watching – and this is how we look forward to carrying this flame into the future."

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.