Hull Truck Theatre is piloting a new way to open up access to its work by live streaming a performance of Jack Lear to patients and residents at Hull Royal Infirmary and Haworth Court Care Home.
The free live stream will take place on Wednesday 30 January, 2pm. With the aim of connecting the theatre to an audience that faces the physical barrier of getting to the venue, Hull Truck Theatre will stream the production into seminar spaces and lounges on-site at the hospital and care home. This way the elderly residents and patients alike can enjoy the production from stage to screen, in the comfort of their own space.
Prior to the live stream, residents and patients have enjoyed a presentation of the Hessle Roaders photography exhibition by Alec Gill, currently on display at Hull Truck Theatre.
Members of staff from the theatre will be on-site at both venues to ensure that audiences are able to enjoy a true Hull Truck Theatre experience.
Jack Lear by Ben Benison is a story which is set on the banks of the River Humber. A gritty re-telling of Shakespeare’s King Lear, the production is directed by and features Hull stalwart and Hull Truck Theatre Patron, Barrie Rutter OBE in the title role.
Four cameras are carefully positioned throughout the auditorium to ensure that live stream audiences get the ‘best seat in the house’ view of the production. With an experienced team of camera operators, the footage will be edited in real time and distributed over the internet to both venues.
Ruth Puckering, Interim Executive Director of Hull Truck Theatre, said:
“This is an exciting new step for Hull Truck Theatre. We are committed to opening up access to all of our work and to reaching new audiences, especially those who may experience barriers to attending the arts. Through innovative use of new technology, we are able to experiment with live streaming to targeted groups of people who could not otherwise experience Jack Lear.”
Dr Fiona Thomson, Consultant Physician in Elderly Medicine at Hull Royal Infirmary, said:
“We are constantly searching for ways to make our patients’ stay more interesting and enjoyable. Events that remind the patients of their working lives and childhood are particularly relevant so Jack Lear, a production that focuses on Hull’s fishing heritage is perfect. It will be our first joint venture with Hull Truck Theatre and we hope that it will be the start of some exciting collaborative work.”
The live screening will take place on Wednesday 30th January 2019, from 2 – 4pm, but will only be available to a closed invited audience.