Hull Truck Theatre hosted the programme launch for Humber Business Week and the cast of the current production, To Have and To Hold, took a break from rehearsals to play their part.

Hull Truck Theatre hosted the programme launch for Humber Business Week and the cast of the current production, To Have and To Hold, took a break from rehearsals to play their part.

With the Theatre’s Artistic Director and Joint CEO Mark Babych pitching the questions, Stephen Tompkinson and Adrian Hood gave some insight about the play and their professions. With a cameo appearance by Adrian’s wife.

Career choice

Stephen was told not to become an actor, but he had grown up in a house where his family watched Morecambe and Wise, Tommy Cooper, and others of that era.

He said: “I felt there was something there that I wanted to emulate. I got seriously interested in comedy.”

Adrian’s interest came from a love of language: “I was an avid reader at a young age – it’s deteriorated now obviously! I had to put three goals down. Vet because I was good at science. Professional pool player and actor.

“A careers teacher said the first two were preposterous and actor was beyond preposterous. But I was lucky enough to be taught by John Godber who was my drama teacher at high school and it’s been all downhill from there!”

Stephen said confidence and faith are key: “There are people who hold the door open for you and build your confidence and convince you that you are good enough. There was someone who believed in me and harnessed the energy that kids have before they become self-conscious.”

Mark was told he was “too stupid to be a lawyer” and there was no future in architecture or graphic design.

Business connections

Mark said: “I reflect on our role as leaders about our responsibility to guide and enable the next generation to flourish. We are a cultural organisation where ambitions can get realised.

“We hope that through encountering art and culture, whatever path you tread in life you will find creative solutions to the obstacles that are in the way.”

Stephen, a newcomer to Hull, added: “I have only been here a week and I have seen how busy the theatre is and what opportunities there are. It’s knocked my socks off seeing the studio and the creative workshops and the events like today.”

Mark: “Hull has a fantastic set of rich cultural assets.”

Adrian: ““Businesses take their employees. It’s good for mental health and morale and productivity increases. If you are recruiting for your business or your workplace Hull has a lot to offer, fantastic museums, Hull Truck Theatre itself, great galleries, great restaurants. Businesses should use Hull and this theatre and the surrounding arts and culture as a draw for people.

“It applies to education as well because drama is such an important part of any course, although it’s been reduced more and more. Because it’s not easily measured it tends to be overlooked.”

Culture and change

Mark: “We are all interested in creating something to make a difference.”

Adrian drew a parallel between Hull and himself, as a child who only thrived when he discovered acting was a career option.

He said: “Hull had a similar downbeat reputation but it’s now possible to celebrate the city. We should be really proud of Hull, proud of where we live and work. That’s really important.”

Mark: “Having an affinity with the place is really important and enabling that thing to be a nugget of gold in which you celebrate what’s great about your area.”

Business characters

Stephen: “I did a TV series called Chancer years and years and years ago that was set in the City with Leslie Phillips as a very cruel boss. If you don’t know the world, find someone who is in it and who will tell you about it.

Adrian: “I tend to play parts that are not normally business orientated – except maybe the black market!”

Stephen: “I’m from Stockton and Brian Clough was always a massive hero of mine. His business model for taking small clubs to success.”

Adrian: “If Donald Trump was from West Yorkshire… it would be a comedy, but it is anyway!”

Work life balance

Adrian: “People have been saying it’s a dream job and in a way it is but you are living two lives, your domestic life and your professional life. Next week I will go home thinking about work and my wife will be asking have you rewired the washing machine plug?”

Adrian’s wife: “He’s never rewired anything! I’m lucky if he puts the bins out!”

Stephen: “I used to work so much that I wasn’t thinking about home so much and that’s probably why none of my relationships lasted! Now I am picking and choosing a bit more so I can balance it.”

Mark: “You have to realise you need other things in your life, remember the world is richer and do something for yourself.”

To Have and To Hold

Mark said he had sneaked into rehearsals and he was very excited. It’s written by Hull-born playwright Richard Bean and tells the story of Jack and Florence who, after 60 years of marriage, have “successfully mastered the fine art of bickering”.

Stephen: “He’s written an episode in these people’s lives that will be universal to most people. Parents getting older and their son and daughter coming back and helping to plan their last few years”.

Adrian: “There are so many references to Hull and parts of Hull, and Jack knows it’s a Saturday because he was watching Hull KR on TV. It’s local characters and local stories. Jack is an 80-year-old retired police officer who is moving to Wetwang.”

Pause for laughter from the audience at the mere mention of the East Yorkshire village.

Adrian: “See? it always works!”

To Have and To Hold runs at Hull Truck Theatre from May 1 until  May 24 and, in addition to Stephen and Adrian, stars Paula Wilcox, Ian Bartholomew, Sara Beharrell and Rebecca Johnson. To find out more and to book visit https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/

Ends.