Welcome to Hull Truck Theatre’s Digital Shorts Programme. Here you can view a series of five brilliant films created by Hull artists.
Each artist was asked to create a short piece of work, based on the themes of joy and optimism. The artists were free to interpret this brief however they wished and what we’ve received as final submissions is an extremely eclectic collection of new writing. They’ve been inspired by specific things that have brought them joy, but also by finding hope and optimism under difficult circumstances.
The Digital Shorts represent an opportunity to experience new work created by amazing local talent, some of which is still in its early stages of development. The plays will be released online weekly from Friday 28 April – Friday 26 May.
We hope you enjoy watching the films as much as we’ve enjoyed commissioning and creating them.
The Sweet Sounds of a North Hull Love Story
Written and performed by Chiedu Oraka
Director of Photography: Oliver Cooper
Hull-base rapper Chiedu Oraka aka the Black Yorkshireman reflects on the songs and the people that have shaped him.
This intimate story explores Chiedu’s early life, his family, and his deep love of music.
About Chiedu Oraka:
Since emerging onto the scene from his native city of Hull, Chiedu Oraka is undoubtedly one of the most exciting voices in his genre. Cutting his own unique path in UK Black music, Oraka, aka 'The Black Yorkshireman', has long been known as a leading figure in the Northern Grime and Rap scene; defying genres with his blend of raw honesty and social poetry.
Oraka's music has been challenging perceptions of his city for some time now, attracting attention from Sian Anderson and Annie Mac through to Charlie Sloth and Sir Spyro with his highest performing single, ‘Darcy’ achieving 3 million+ streams. Oraka is often referred to as the sound of a new working-class Northern England; captivating audiences with his broad Hull accent and telling the untold story of what it means growing up Black on a Yorkshire council estate.
Everything's Allright
Written and performed by Cecil Jones aka CJ
Responding to the brief of Joy and Optimism, Hull-based musician Cecil Jones brings us this infectiously upbeat song about taking comfort that things will turn out for the best even when the situation feels difficult.
Alongside being an accomplished Saxophonist, Cecil is Project Coordinator for Open Doors Hull, a fantastic charity that offers a range of support to sanctuary seekers in Hull. Find out about their amazing work here: https://open-doors.org.uk
About Cecil Jones aka CJ:
Cecil Jones aka CJ is a Musician, Singer Songwriter, Recording Artist, and Multi-Instrumentalist from Freetown, Sierra Leone who lives in the city of Hull.
Music has been part of Cecil’s life since he started his musical journey in Sierra Leone at the age of twelve. He then travelled to the UK where he continued his musical pursuits by studying at Morley College London and Hull University respectively where he obtained a degree in Popular Music Studies.
He plays music from around the world, including Jazz, Classical, Pop, Gospel and Traditional/Cultural.
Clean Sheets
Written by Vicky Foster
Performed by Louise Willoughby
Directed by Josie Lena Davies
Director of Photography: Oliver Cooper
People can find comfort in all sorts of places. Hull-based poet Vicky Foster brings us a beautiful monologue in which a person finds contentment in three unusual items. What is the significance of these objects and can a bungee cord really bring you happiness?
About Vicky Foster:
Vicky Foster is an award-winning writer, performer and poet who has broadcast extensively across the BBC. She has published two collections of writing and is currently working on her first novel whilst studying for a PhD in English and Creative Writing. She won The Society of Authors’ Imison Award at the 2020 BBC Audio Drama Awards for her Radio 4 play Bathwater, and her Radio 4 documentary, Can I Talk About Heroes? was reviewed in the national media. She has written poetry for radio, podcast and TV, delivered writing projects and creative writing workshops for a wide range of organisations, and performed at festivals and events across the North. She is a writer-in-residence for First Story, working with schools to help young people tell their own stories.
Afro-Disney
Written and performed by Kobby Taylor
Directed by Oliver Cooper
Hull-based rapper and performer Kobby Taylor, aka Prez 96, has a vision for a Disney-style film musical with an African twist that explores his Ghanaian Heritage. Written in the musical style of Highlife, that mergers the melodic and main rhythmic structures of traditional Ghanaian music with western instruments such as guitars and horns.
This song is an excerpt from potentially a full musical and sees main character Asantewaa receiving unwanted advice from her father, the local community leader.
This piece was written in collaboration with Kobby’s cousin who is a traditional highlife musician called Roy X.
About Kobby Taylor:
Kobby Taylor is a music producer with a passion for impacting the theatre industry through his unique fusion of afrobeats and hip hop with modern theatre. Starting as a battle rapper in the freestyle hip hop circuit, Kobby has found his calling in acting in theatre and writing music for theatre and TV. With a track record of supporting acts like Giggs and Skepta, Kobby now serves as the Managing Director of Beats Bus Records, mentoring the next generation of artists through their mentorship programme. He has been recognised for his contributions to theatre productions such as The Canary and The Crow, which won a Brighton Fringe First, The George Devine Award, and two Offies. Regularly employed by Middle Child Theatre, Kobby is always busy creating new and ground-breaking hip hop theatre experiences.
4EVA
Written by Rachel Hogg
Performed by Elle Ideson
Directed by Mark Babych
Director of Photography: Oliver Cooper
Nicola said ‘he likes you!’ ‘No, he doesn’t’, I said. Though, secretly, I hope he does.
Sixteen-year-old Suzie Jones is in love! The year is 1992 and Richie Simmons – the best-looking boy in the whole school – is all she can think about. But what does Richie Simmons think of her?
Join Suzie as she experiences the most difficult part of any teenagers life: young love.
About Rachel Hogg:
Originally from Hornsea, Rachel spent twenty years working as a stage manager in London before returning to East Yorkshire where she is now Production Co-ordinator for Hull Truck Theatre.
Having enjoyed writing from a young age, Rachel completed a creative writing course with the OU and has also been a participant of Middle Child Theatre’s Writing Group. Previous writing credits include Love in the Time of Covid-19 (BBC Upload Festival – Radio Humberside), Closer to Home (Hull Truck Theatre) and Fancy Pants (Burn Bright).