Web of friendship at Spiders
Written by and starring Martha Godber, Hull Truck Theatre's Godber Studio opens its 2027 season with Spiders - a celebration of Hull's iconic, Gothic grunge nightclub (January 28-February 13).
The play explores the lives of Hull teens Meg (Martha) and Gabi (Chloe McDonald), who every Saturday night head to their favourite nightclub, where among the sticky floors and toasted crumpets plays out a coming-of-age story that navigates the complex highs and lows of friendship.
The real Spiders nightclub is a music venue in Cleveland Street, Hull, which opened in 1979 and is still run by the same people. The club continues to open every Saturday, and remains a much-loved, lively venue.
Martha explained: “Spiders nightclub is such an iconic place - I really don’t think there is anywhere else like it. I’ve had so many memorable nights there and I wanted to celebrate that through this piece of work.
"Having my show premiere in my home city is incredible," said Martha, "because where I’m from informs my writing so profoundly. It really feels like a full-circle, pinch-me moment.
“At its heart, Spiders is about female friendships and the intensity of those relationships when you’re young. I wanted to celebrate young northern women in all their messiness, humour and complexity. I hope audiences find the play funny, relatable, sparky and exciting - but also feel the depth of what these two young women are navigating.”
Tom Saunders, associate director at the theatre and director of Spiders, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Martha on our first contemporary drama in the Godber Studio since 2019.”
More info and tickets here
