The stage is set...

There is more on offer at Hull New Theatre and Hull City Hall than first meets the eye

Left: customers have a drink in the Circle Bar at Hull New Theatre, and right, the ornate interior of Hull City Hall

Perhaps you are planning an evening out to see an award-winning production of Monty Python's Spamalot; the music and dance extravaganza Shaun the Sheep; a Northern Ballet performance of Cleopatra, or a top comedian.
Hull New Theatre and Hull City Hall provide a huge range of entertainments and cultural events throughout the year to satisfy people of all ages and interests.
More than that, the Hull City Council-owned venues – which attract tens of thousands of visitors each year - can cater for more than just the audience's demand for top-quality stage productions.
"Many of our customers at Hull New Theatre enjoy a relaxing drink upstairs in the Circle Bar before the show starts, or during the interval, taking in the wonderful views overlooking the gardens in Kingston Square below," says Janice Oliver, the council's Theatre and Halls Manager.
"We also have a café bar on the lower floor of the building where customers can enjoy a drink and a tasty meal, combined with a show, and really make a great afternoon or evening of it."
And on certain occasions customers can even see one or two stars from the shows having a bite to eat in the café bar.
Recent panto stars Chico from X Factor, and Dean Sullivan, who played Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside were both visitors to the café bar for a light meal before their performances.
It offers a varied menu which is frequently changing, from lighter choices such as sandwiches and paninis to main meals such as chilli con carne and spinach and ricotta canelloni, as well as a selection of desserts.
The café bar can cater for up to 50 people at a time and is fully licensed.
It can also be booked for private functions and events.
What's more, customers can receive 15 per cent off their meals with a Hull New Theatre gold discount card.

'Fabulous venue'

Meanwhile, just a five-minute walk away, Hull City Hall is known for its wide variety of stage performances from international orchestras to top comedians to rock and pop stars.
It's been an entertainment and cultural venue in the city since it opened in 1909.
But there's more on offer at this prestigious and historic building.
Available to hire are elegant rooms such as the Mortimer Suite with its ornate domed roof, which could be the perfect setting for a wedding ceremony.
There are also banqueting and catering facilities for a complete wedding reception.
With its city centre location, the venue is also a good place for conferences, seminars, business exhibitions and special celebrations, and more.
It can cater for small parties of ten to large events of 1,200 people seated or 1,800 standing.

Know the facts

• more than 250,000 people each year come to enjoy shows at Hull New Theatre
• the theatre is still going strong despite major setbacks in the past, including a direct hit by a German bomb during the Hull Blitz, and in 2007 the building, along with thousands of homes and businesses across the city, was severely hit by flooding
• Hull City Hall has a 100-year-old organ which has been fully restored. It has an international reputation for its sound quality and tone

Info To book a table at the Hull New Theatre Cafe Bar phone 318 311. For more information on Hull New Theatre and Hull City Hall visit www.hullcc.gov.uk and to find out what's on at the venues this month turn to pages 31-33. To book tickets phone 226 655.