Hull Truck and Porto named 'theatres of sanctuary'
- Alan Hulme
- 51 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Hull Truck Theatre and Ellesmere Port-based Theatre porto children’s theatre have both been named a “theatre of Sanctuary” by City of Sanctuary UK.
The sanctuary organisation was founded in Sheffield in 2005. Two years later, with the support of the council and over 70 local community organisations, the city became the UK’s first City of Sanctuary. Since then, many more local councils, schools, universities, libraries, theatres and other places have been awarded similar status.
The accreditations recognise the positive contributions Hull Truck and Porto have made in engaging with and welcoming local sanctuary seekers.
Hull Truck is the only theatre of sanctuary in its region, while Porto, a national leader in theatre for the young, is the first children’s theatre accorded the title. The status will remain until 2028.
Over the next three years Hull Truck aims to build on outreach work as a partner to several specialist groups within the city. Workers will continue to engage refugees and sanctuary seekers through a a range of activities, from coffee mornings to work created by sanctuary seekers.
Tom Saunders, associate director at Hull Truck Theatre, said: “This recognition reflects several years of work, building relationships with refugees and asylum seekers while promoting a culture within our organisation.
As part of Hull Refugee Week (June 16-22), Hull Truck will stage Celebrating Sanctuary on June 17. The evening (free but ticketed), will feature short performances of music, monologues, stories and more, celebrating the creativity of refugees who call Hull their home.
Theatre Porto’s recognition is significant for the theatre’s commitment to creating inclusive spaces in which children, young people and families feel “safe, welcomed and valued”.
The award comes at an appropriate time, for Cheshire West and Chester Council has recently been recognised as a “Borough of Sanctuary”, actively supporting people seeking sanctuary through practice, and engagement.
Nina Hajiyianni, artistic director of Theatre Porto, said: “We are incredibly proud to be the first dedicated children and young people’s theatre in the country to receive this status. Children intuitively understand fairness, kindness, and the importance of including others”
Theatre executive director Caz Brader added, “This important recognition affirms our belief that every child deserves access to welcoming and joyful cultural experiences.”