If you still haven’t made Friday night plans by now, we are here to help. Two classics – one a screening of a silent comedy and another a famous opera – are taking place in the city tonight. Then Don’t miss Lord Mayor’s Hanse Day, a visit from your favourite men in tights and one of the final weekends to see art from The Royal Collection. Here are 5 things to do in Hull this weekend.
1. Aida
Fri 7 June 7.30pm
Hull City Hall
£18-£40
In this classic opera, Egypt is at war with Ethiopia and Aida, daughter of the Ethiopian king, has been captured by the Egyptians. Secretly, she loves an Egyptian general, Radamès, and he returns her love. When Radamès is selected to lead a renewed assault against the enemy, Aida is forced to choose between betraying her country and betraying her heart. The leading characters in Aida are as conflicted as the war-torn world they inhabit, and for the doomed lovers, Radamès and Aida, Verdi reserved some of his finest arias, including his Celeste Aida and her O patria mia. Get more details here.
2. Hic & Yorkshire Silents: The General
Fri 7 June 8pm
Hull Truck Theatre
£10-£12
A screening of what many critics consider the last great comedy of the silent era with live improvised score by Jonny Best on piano and Trevor Bartlett on percussion. The General consistently ranks as one of the greatest comedies of all time on international critics’ polls.
Set during the Civil War and based on a true incident, the film is an authentic looking period piece. The title refers not to Buster Keaton’s character, but to his engine, which figures prominently in one of the most harrowing and hilarious chase scenes ever filmed. Get more details here.
3. Lord Mayor’s Hanse Day
Saturday 8 June 10am
City centre
Free
Lord Mayor’s Hanse Day 2019 is a combination of International Hanse Day and the Lord Mayor’s Gala.
Two of Hull’s much-loved summer events will come together in this city centre this weekend. Lord Mayor’s Hanse Day 2019 – a combination of International Hanse Day and the Lord Mayor’s Gala – will bring a hive of activity to the city centre. On Saturday 8 June, the Lord Mayor will officially open the event in Queen Victoria Square at 10am. It will feature staged events including singing, dance and spoken-word performances, as well as free face-painting and children’s craft activities. Get more details here.
4. New Generation Wrestling
Saturday 8 June 7pm
Hull City Hall
£15.50-£30.50
Meet wrestling TV stars including ‘Superhuman’ Justin Sysum, Rampage Brown, Nathan Cruz and the masked marvel Robbie X in person. Plus, a special in ring appearance from former Love Island star Adam Maxted. And TV’s The Chase quiz master – Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett – is now calling the shots as executive producer for this proud Hull company gone national. Get more details here.
5. Masterpieces In Focus From The Royal Collection
Ferens Art Gallery
Until Sunday 23 June
Free
The portrait has been loaned to Ferens Art Gallery by the Royal Collection.
Don’t miss the chance to see this masterpiece by Hans Holbein the Younger, in Hull for the first time thanks to an ongoing partnership with Royal Collection Trust, lent by Her Majesty The Queen from the Royal Collection. A portrait drawing of Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), likely connected to a single oil portrait of the sitter, shows his head and shoulders facing three-quarters to the right. He wears a hat and fur collar. Read more here.
