MPs praise Ilkley firm's work on theatre

4:53pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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THE work of an Ilkley based construction company has received praise from political heavyweights including the former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

Hull MPs Alan Johnson, Diana Johnson and Mr Prescott had a sneak preview of the state-of-the-art £14m Hull Truck Theatre being built by Quarmby Construction, of The Grove Promenade.

The Ferensway site will house a 440-seat main auditorium, a 134-seat studio theatre and additional facilities including rehearsal and workshop spaces, educational areas and café-bar.

Hull East MP Mr Prescott said: "The new building is fantastic - the ambition, scale, and possibilities of it are significant - we really could establish a new standard here that could have national implications."

Hull Truck Theatre has secured the cash for construction of the building, but still needs to raise a further £520,000 towards the building's fit-out, which will enable its artistic and education teams to deliver the widest possible range of work.

Joint Artistic Director John Godber said: "Work on site is progressing well and we wanted to show the MPs how the building is taking shape, and talk to them about our vision for its future. There is huge potential for this theatre to become a centre of excellence - not just for the city but the whole region."