The dream that I had the day before the commissioning meeting in 2005 that led to Sully being written suggested that the biographical play about the rugby league legend Clive Sullivan was going to be performed at the then still to be built new Hull Truck on Ferensway.
In the dream, Clive had a nice chat with me and then a huge poster with the play’s title atop the man in a hideous half-and-half FC/Rovers kit unfurled, dangling off the roof of the unbuilt theatre. As it was, it made its premiere at Spring Street. Anyway, dreams do come true, even if you have to wait 18 years.
Here’s Mosaic Productions’ press release:
𝑴𝒐𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒄 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔, a new Hull based Community Theatre Company are delighted to announce that the play “𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆” will be coming to the Hull Truck Theatre in 2023!
Written by Dave Windass, and directed by Scott Solway, “Sully” tells the story of a proud Welshman, yet also one of Hull’s most famous sons, the late great Clive Sullivan MBE. In a celebration of what would have been Clive’s 80th birthday in 2023, and to celebrate his recent induction into the “Rugby League Hall Of Fame” “𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆” and his story is told through a portrayal of Clive himself, and taxi driver Max, and his mouthy passenger Chelle, stranded on the Clive Sullivan Way due to an ongoing situation.
Sully’s life, his story, is told through warmth, humour, passion and heartfelt feeling.
It’s 50 years in 2022 since Sully, the first black captain of Great Britain in any sport, lifted the Rugby League World Cup in 1972… and that try!
Although he always remained a proud Welshman, Sully is one of Hull’s most famous sons, representing everything good about Rugby League in the city of Kingston Upon Hull, both black and white and red and white. Scoring over 100 tries, in each set of colours, and winning a Challenge Cup Winners medal with both clubs.
All these wonderful achievements from a man who as a young boy was told “you’ll never walk again”
So, put on your black and white, red and white, and any other teams colours, and come and see for yourselves, the remarkable story, of a man who achieved so much through adversity, and was taken from us far too soon.
With huge heartfelt thanks to Dave Windass, and Rosalyn, Anthony, Lisa and all the Sullivan family……..
“𝗦𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆”
𝗛𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗲
Tuesday 6th June – Saturday 10th June @ 7.30pm
Matinees, Thursday 8th & Saturday 10th June @ 2.30pm
Tickets on sale here: https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/drama/sully/ or direct from the Box Office.
Please be aware, the last time “Sully” was performed 17 years ago, it sold out very quickly. There are only 7 performances to secure your seats for this wonderful story of a Rugby League Legend of Hull.