First published in 1841, The Old Curiosity Shop was Charles Dickens’ fourth novel and a phenomenon in its day. When the final instalment arrived by ship in New York, eager readers reportedly stormed the dock in anticipation.

This powerful story follows Nell Trent and her grandfather, residents of the eponymous London shop, whose lives are upended by debt, desperation and the sinister influence of moneylender Daniel Quilp. As the grandfather’s gambling spirals out of control, the pair are forced to flee, encountering danger and kindness in equal measure.

In this evocative stage production, the tale is enriched with a vibrant musical score composed by John Holtby. Originally adapted in 1990 by Norman F. Parker, the script has since been revised, with new musical numbers added by Richard Green, who also directs.

Staying true to the era of the novel, the production evokes a rich, Hogarthian atmosphere. Expect humour, heartbreak and unforgettable characters in this dramatic retelling of one of Dickens’ most enduring works.

Mesdames and Messieurs, may I take your tickets please?

Pinch Punch welcome you aboard Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit, a totally improvised, totally hilarious murder mystery where killing the cast and cracking the case is in your hands. Expect shaky alibis and silver-tongued sleuths along with thrills, spills, and good old-fashioned kills.

Four characters board a train, but not everyone will survive... Thankfully, a world-famous detective is onboard, ready to solve the case.

But who is the murderer? Only one person in the show knows — the murderer themselves! Can you help the detective solve the case?

Using audience stories and suggestions, watch Pinch Punch create a unique, one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-repeated whodunnit. If you love comedy or murder mysteries, then this is the show for you!

Recommended Age: 10+

"Due to the improvised nature of the performance we cannot guarantee specific content warnings. General content warnings include scenes of comedic murder and violence, audience participation."

Rave On is the 50s and 60s musical sensation sweeping the nation!

From the emergence of Rock and Roll at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee to the British Invasion and beyond, this is a musical adventure you won’t want to miss.

Charting the meteoric rise of Rock and Roll, Rave On is a thrilling tour through music’s most revolutionary decades. Join us for an exhilarating evening of toe-tapping, sing-along iconic classics, vibrant vintage costumes, colourful staging and dancing in the aisles!

Take a step back in time and experience the history of rock and roll music like never before. Rave On includes hits from the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, The Beatles, Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka, Little Richard, Roy Orbison, Lulu, The Beach Boys and many more.

No modern gimmicks, just note perfect renditions of the most loved sounds from the decades that gifted us Rock and Roll. Performed by an incredibly talented, era-obsessed group of young musicians, this brand-new show features leading performers from West End productions including The Buddy Holly Story, Million Dollar Quartet and Dreamboats & Petticoats.

Transporting you back to the fabulous 50’s and swinging 60’s in stunningly authentic style, Rave On promises to be a musical experience like no other.

Running Time: 2 hours 20 mins (inc. a break)

PLEASE, SIR, I WANT SOME MORE….

Join young Oliver Twist on the adventure of a lifetime in this festive adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel.

Born into a life of poverty, raised in a workhouse and sold into an apprenticeship, Oliver escapes to London where he is befriended by the charismatic Artful Dodger and recruited into Fagin’s band of pickpockets and thieves.

After sinking into the grimy criminal underworld, Oliver is presented with an opportunity to change his fate… but will this be his chance to finally find a loving family and a place to call home?

Jam packed with songs and dance, including traditional much-loved carols, folk tunes and original music, Deborah McAndrew’s dramatic and highly theatrical adaptation returns to Hull Truck Theatre in another enchanting and mesmerising production.

The perfect alternative to pantomime over the holidays, magically captivating audiences of all ages.

ACCESS SHOWS:

Baby Friendly - Fri 5 Dec, 11am (For those with babies under 18 months)
Relaxed - Fri 11 Dec, 7pm / Tue 16 Dec, 10.15am / Sat 3 Jan, 2pm
BSL Interpreted - Wed 17 Dec, 10.15am / Sun 21 Dec, 6pm - BSL Interpreter is Dave Wycherley
Captioned (Open) - Sun 21 Dec, 6pm - Live captions provided by Claire McIntyre
Audio Described - Sat 27 Dec, 2pm (Touch Tour, 12.30pm) - Audio Describer Jill Quarmby

Recommended Age: 7+

Early Bird Offer: £3 off all tickets until midnight, 31st August 2025

Family Ticket Offer: Four tickets (applies to standard & child ticket types) - never pay more than £110

Group Discount: Groups 8+ 10% off all tickets

Join Coral and her friends on an under the sea adventure this festive season…

Coral is a friendly, fun and inquisitive little mermaid… but she’s a mermaid with a problem. Whilst she loves nothing more than nattering away with her family and closest pal Finn the fish, when it comes to talking to new people… something strange happens… she completely clams up.

But can a chance meeting with a human from the above the waves bring Coral out of her shell? Or will she fall hook, line and sinker for the sea witch’s trickery and never find her voice?

Exploring themes of friendship, courage and confidence, this heart-warming adventure is a modern-day twist on a classic story. From the team that brought you Rapunzel, Princess and the Frog and Jack, Mum and The Beanstalk, join Hull Truck Theatre for another magical festive production. Specially designed for young audiences and their families.

ACCESS
All performances have a laid-back attitude to noise and movement in the theatre space.
BSL Interpreted: Sat 20 Dec, 1.15pm - BSL Interpreter is Jane Kelsall

Recommended Age: 3 - 6 years

Fresh from London’s West End, The Dazzling Diamonds bring their smash-hit comedy drag show to the stage! Featuring three international queens, expect outrageous comedy, sensational live vocals, jaw-dropping dance routines, and iconic hits from stars like Tina Turner and Lady Gaga. A fast-paced, laugh-out-loud night of pure entertainment! Don’t miss your chance to see why audiences are calling this “the funniest night on the road.”

Recommended Age: 14+, Under 16's to be accompanied by an adult

A kidney stone. A stray cat. An eye-themed fetish. Bridget Christie hits the road again with a brand new show. Creator of Channel 4’s smash hit sitcom The Change and BBC Radio 4’s Mortal. Star of Taskmaster, Ghosts, Uncanny, and Off Menu.

“One of the brightest and best around.” The Independent

“Razor sharp, consistently hilarious, expertly paced and structured set.” The Telegraph

Age guidance: 14+

“It’s Shakespeare, Jim, but not as we know it”

SPOILER ALERT: At the end of Shakespeare’s play, Lear dies. His last words are “Look, there”.
His faithful follower and protector, Kent, wishes him a speedy release. “Break heart”, he urges.

What I’m wondering is: what happens then?

Come on, we all wonder that, sometimes, don’t we? What happens after you die?

Well, that’s where this show starts.

A man in a dressing gown shuffles in, carrying a box. From the box he pulls the objects, people, quarrels, wrongs, jokes, mistakes, laughter and regrets that add up to a life.

Over the next seventy minutes he retreads the path that brought him here, to This Great Stage of Fools: the loss of his daughters, the loss of his knights, the loss of his fool, the loss of his wits... oh, and the storm. Don't forget the storm. When The Rain Came.

Using only Shakespeare's words (reordered, repurposed, and often repeated) Lear's Shadow is a mischievous, engaging reflection on Shakespeare's great domestic tragedy.

Content Warning: This piece contains vivid depictions of Very Poor Parenting.

Running Time: 75 mins (no break)

Recommended Age: 15+

Content Guidance: Contains violence and strong language (the violence is stylised, the language is strong, but it is Shakespeare's e.g cursing a daughter with infertility)

especially for the younger generations.
The Olivia Rodrigo Experience is a tribute to the Pop Rock Sensation celebrating all her biggest hits!
This show is energetic, fun, and very lively with lots of interaction- Featuring a show-stopping set list including "Drivers License", "Good 4 U ", Get Him Back!", "Vampire", "Bad Idea Right?" and many more!

Complete with authentic costumes, vocals and dancers, this show promises to have something for every age and the audience singing along from start to finish!
If you know what’s “Good 4 U” then book tickets to see The Olivia Rodrigo Experience today!

Get ready for the ultimate rock experience as Bat Out of Hell roars onto the big screen!

The cast of the West End production will bring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s iconic anthems to life, including I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love, and, of course, Bat Out of Hell.

Bat out of Hell -The Musical promises a spectacle that will leave you breathless! This heart-pounding experience, with a powerhouse eight-piece live band on stage, delivers a new production with sprawling multi-level platforms to transport you from Raven’s bedroom to the underground world of the Lost in a visual feast that pushes the boundaries of live theatre.

Running Time: 2 hours 40 mins (including break)

Recommended Age: 12A

Please note that this is a recording and not a live, on stage performance.

Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Dunkirk) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (The Hobbit, The Responder) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland.

After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five – the moment of confession – dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend.

Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End.

Running Time: 1 hour 30 mins (no break)

Recommended Age: 16+

Mystery, intrigue, beauty, passion, murder – shine a new light on Caravaggio in this dramatic biography…

Five years in production, this is the most extensive film ever made about one of the greatest artists of all time – Caravaggio. Featuring masterpiece after masterpiece and with first-hand testimony from the artist himself on the eve of his mysterious disappearance, this beautiful new film reveals Caravaggio as never before.

Multi-award-winning filmmakers David Bickerstaff and Phil Grabsky delve into the hidden narratives of Caravaggio’s life, piecing together clues embedded within his incredible art. The intriguing self-depictions within his works — sometimes disguised, sometimes in plain sight — offer a rare window into his psyche and personal struggles. Join us as we unravel the story of one of history’s most brilliant, complex and controversial figures.
Caravaggio’s masterpieces are some of art’s most instantly recognisable. No one else uses his signature blend of dramatic light, intense naturalism and bold, striking figures. His incredible paintings have captivated audiences for centuries. But there lies a deeper mystery — one that still beckons us to explore. What do these masterpieces reveal about the man behind the brush? Join us as we explore the intriguing clues that help us to finally understand the life – and death – of this remarkable man.

Running Time: 1 hour 30 mins (no break)

Get ready for a huge night of stand-up as Chuckl. Hull returns with an incredible line up headlined by Seann Walsh, star of Live at the Apollo, I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and Netflix's Finch.

Joining him is the brilliantly funny Brennan Reece (Live at the Apollo, Roast Battle), plus a hand picked selection of top comedians from across the UK comedy circuit.

Running Time: 2 hours 30 mins (inc. a break)

Recommended Age: 14+

Direct from London’s world-famous jazz club and combining world-class live jazz, narration, rare archive photos, and video footage, The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars take to the stage to celebrate the ‘The Ronnie Scott’s Story’.

Set amongst the dive bars and jazz jook joints of London’s Soho, we hear about the desperate hand-to-mouth finances of the early years and the frequent police raids. We hear how Ronnie's became neutral ground within rife gang territory and their scrapes with gangsters including the Krays who were rumoured to have taken Ronnie Scott “for a little drive”! Life at Ronnie’s is evocatively reimagined through tales of the club’s past visitors, from pop stars, film stars and politicians to comedians and royalty - but above all, the musicians…

Mixing classic music from the jazz greats who have performed at Ronnie Scott’s over its incredible history, alongside tales of old Soho, miscreant musicians and police raids, this is a unique evening celebrating one of the world's most famous venues, its music, and history.

HELL IS MURKY

In a country ravaged by war and rebellion, a fragile peace has finally broken out across an exhausted and wounded land.

Macbeth, returning from battle meets three witches bearing a strange and fateful prophecy that begins a chain of bloody and brutal events.

Driven by an insatiable desire to succeed, Macbeth sets out to become King of Scotland, by any means possible.

Spurred on by his power-hungry wife, he is consumed by a great darkness… with violence and tyranny inflicted upon everything and everyone who stands in his way. But will his sanity remain intact, or will he pay the ultimate price for his destructive actions?

Don’t miss this powerful and chilling adaptation of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, which lays bare the human cost of unchecked ambition.

Post-Show Q&A - Thu 26 Feb, 10.15am

ACCESS SHOWS:

Audio Described - Sat 14 Feb, 2pm (Touch Tour, 12.30pm) - Audio Describer Jill Quarmby
Relaxed - Tue 17 Feb, 7.30pm & Wed 25 Feb, 10.15am
BSL Interpreted -Tue 24 Feb, 7.30pm
Captioned (Open) - Tue 24 Feb, 7.30pm

Recommended Age: 13+

Welcome to the Colosseum, where two idiot Gladiators will fight for your enjoyment and the amusement of the Almighty Amazon Alexa.

Expect impressive fights, hilarious games and raucous fun! Grab a drink, warm up those Roman thumbs and prepare to FIGHT!

A hilarious comedy for adults 18 and over.

Have you ever been awake in the middle of the night and thought something so smart and astute that you couldn’t wait for the world to wake up so you could tell them?

THIS SHOW IS THAT THOUGHT.

In that it doesn’t make much sense and is a bit weird on reflection.

Sara Pascoe is a comedian and her children don’t sleep and her kitchen won’t clean itself and her husband “doesn’t want to be in it”.

As seen and heard on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, The Great British Sewing Bee, Last One Laughing UK, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Mock the Week and co-host of Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club podcast.

Recommended Age: 14+
Content warnings: Includes strong language

Join Peter Bleksley, a founding member of Scotland Yard’s undercover unit and former star of Channel 4’s Hunted, as he lifts the lid on the most dangerous and hidden aspects of murder investigations. From the gritty realities of infiltrating criminal gangs to his own terrifying experience of becoming the target of a murder plot, Peter shares the untold stories of the most high-stakes cases.

For over a decade, Peter worked undercover, posing as everything from drug dealers to contract killers. His double life gave him access to the darkest corners of humanity, uncovering secrets that would save lives - but at the cost of his own safety. Forced into witness protection by an FBI-uncovered assassination plot, his career as a detective came to an abrupt end, leaving him with chilling memories of murderers and the justice system that hunts them.

Prepare for an unforgettable evening of true crime as Peter Bleksley reveals the harrowing reality behind solving murders and battling the criminal underworld. This is crime-fighting as you’ve never seen it before.

Running Time: approx. 2 hours inc. interval

Recommended Age: 16+

A monster’s guide to tolerance and temperance. Jess can feel herself becoming an emotional wildebeest right when her world (and the whole world, thanks) demands cool, collected ultra detached saint-like kindness and understanding. S**t.

She goes digging around in her DNA for answers and finds so many beautiful horrors. Witness her effort to become a brand new, mythical, mystical ‘coper.’ OR NOT. She gets cancelled, she gets touched and she gets a dolphin-based epiphany all in one show. The silliest of comedy for the scariest of days from Edinburgh Best Show Award Nominee.

You’ve seen Jess on BBC’s QI, Live at the Apollo, Celebrity University Challenge and Richard Osman’s House of Games. From Travel Man on C4 and World’s Most Dangerous Roads on Dave. You know her from her two BBC R4 series of Sturdy Girl Club plus podcasts The Guilty Feminist and Hoovering. And, of course, from new mighty smash hit Gladiator’s fan-podcast Contender Ready which Jess co-hosts with Olympic weightlifting superstar, Emily Campbell.

Age Guidance: 14+ (strong language)