Hessle Theatre Company to stage Hull and East Yorkshire’s first amateur production of Dear Evan Hansen

Hessle Theatre Company will become the first community theatre company in the Hull and East Yorkshire region to stage the award-winning musical ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, with performances at Hull Truck Theatre from 8–12 September 2026.

One of the most celebrated musicals of the past decade, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ features music and lyrics by Tony Award winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with a book by Steven Levenson. Following its Broadway debut, the production won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, before going on to achieve success around the world.

Hessle Theatre Company’s production brings this popular musical to the Hull Truck stage, continuing the company’s commitment to ambitious productions that challenge its performers and offer local audiences the opportunity to experience acclaimed musical theatre close to home.

For directors Richard Foot and Sarah Brodie, the production was an opportunity to explore material that combines musical theatre with complex characters and contemporary themes.

“We’re always looking for productions that challenge us as a company and give our performers the opportunity to tackle ambitious material. ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ is a particularly exciting choice because it is such a contemporary piece, with characters and themes that feel very relevant to audiences today. It’s a demanding show, but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding to stage.”

At the centre of the production is Evan Hansen, played by Liam Hatt. Evan is a socially anxious teenager struggling to find his place among his peers when an unexpected chain of events changes his life and the lives of those around him.

For Liam, taking on the title role has meant exploring one of modern musical theatre’s most complex leading characters.

“Evan is a fascinating character because there’s so much going on beneath the surface. He makes choices that are difficult to understand, but he’s also someone who desperately wants to feel that he belongs. Finding that balance and trying to understand what drives him has been a huge challenge, but it’s also made the role incredibly rewarding.”

The production also sees Hessle Theatre Company working with local Mind services, with information and signposting to mental health support being made available alongside the production. The partnership reflects the company’s awareness of the sensitive themes explored within ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ and its commitment to providing appropriate support and information for audiences.

Dear Evan Hansen plays at Hull Truck Theatre from 8–12 September 2026. Tickets are available here.