If you’re interested in Arts, this is both the section and the city. Hull has excellent theatres showing old and new productions, several cinemas of which one is ‘Independent’, an array of wonderful museums and galleries which are mostly free (an important factor for penniless students!) and the Arts gem that is the University – comedy, plays, art, films and poetry and more can all be found here on campus.
THEATRE
Hull’s two main theatres, Hull New Theatre and Hull Truck, are both situated in the city centre (so you can pick up tickets whilst you shop!).
From 20th October to 25th October, Hull New Theatre is showing The Buddy Holly Story, telling us the story the brief life of the musical legend. In November, they bring us the classic seasonal ballet The Nutcracker Suite, the unforgettable orphan Annie, the energetic musical (and one of my favourites) Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and the utterly eighties Footloose: The Musical.
One of Hull Truck’s October productions, My Grandfather’s Great War, is a solo drama performance by Cameron Stewart, taken from the First World War diaries of Captain Alexander Stewart. Also, BAFTA-winning playwright John Godber’s play Bouncers will be showing on the 15th January to 14th February. In the Autumn, Hull Truck also bring us comedians Jeff Green, Mark Steel and Four Poofs and a Piano (yes, them from Jonathan Ross) who could all make for an amusing and affordable evening.
CINEMA
There are four mainstream cinemas in Hull, showing all the big blockbuster films. Three of these are within walking distance of the City Centre (Odeon, Vue, Reel), and the other is only a bus journey away in Kingswood (Cineworld, next door to Hollywood Bowl!).
Our fifth cinema, Hull Screen, is an independent art house cinema and tends to show more obscure and unusual films. They have been near to closure at various points, but are now looking forward to the possibility of a new home. You can browse their showings online at http://www.friendsofhullscreen.co.uk/
GALLERIES and MUSEUMS
Are you an art lover? Hull won’t disappoint. Ferens Art Gallery is Hull’s artistic highlight. The Autumn exhibition – Above all, the Sky – features work by one of Hull’s most significant artists, Walter Goodin (1907-1992), is running from Saturday 27th September 2008 until early January 2009. Best of all, it has free admission, so you can spend hours wandering around, enjoying beautiful paintings, and it won’t cost you a penny.
There is also the ‘Old Town’ on the west side of Hull’s City Centre which is full of free museums and galleries and, if you like architecture, Old Town has some beautiful buildings.
UNIVERSITY
Last but certainly not least, the University is an exciting place to partake in the Arts. For instance, there are loads of Arts societies to join from the obvious Drama Society to the less obvious Gilbert and Sullivan. For a poetry lover, the English Department’s Phillip Larkin Centre holds poetry readings once a month in Zest on Newland Avenue (ten minutes walk from campus). They have previously played host to some brilliant modern poets and authors, such as Craig Raine and Matthew Sweeney, and up and coming performers include Lavinia Greenlaw and Julian Barnes. Artwork, including visiting displays from all over the world, is showcased on campus our very own Art Gallery in the bottom of the Larkin building. There are also some great plays to look forward to, some exemplary student talent at acceptable student prices. The Drama Society (Drama Soc) are due to put on a Cinderella pantomime, and (in complete contrast) a performance of A Clockwork Orange at Christmas and The Gilbert and Sullivan Society (HUGSS) are staging The Pirates of Penzance in March. The Drama Department will, as always, have a lot to offer – there are always plenty of brilliant University productions, so keep an eye out.
Entering my third year, I still haven’t tasted all the wealth of Arts that Hull has to offer the student world. So go explore, and most importantly, enjoy!
-Kristin Bremmer
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