The Lincoln theatre community mourns the loss of the influential Mike Bradwell, founder of the Hull Truck Theatre, who passed away at age 77. The news of his demise was confirmed by the theatre on Monday. Bradwell, known for his disruptive and pioneering spirit, has been remembered fondly by fellow artists and colleagues. John Godber, who held the seat of artistic director at Hull Truck from 1983 to 2010, hailed Bradwell as a ‘maverick and a disruptor’ whose absence will be deeply felt. Godber credits Bradwell with changing his life by inviting him to helm Truck after his departure. Born in Scunthorpe in 1948, Bradwell trained at East 15 Acting School in East London. His vision led to the birth of Hull Truck Theatre in 1971. Over a span of 11 years, Bradwell’s company travelled the UK, performing children’s shows, plays, and experimental theatre. Mark Babych and Janthi Mills-Ward, chief executives of Hull Truck Theatre, hailed Bradwell’s zealous, humorous, and courageous spirit. They acknowledged his ‘uncompromising artistry’ that transformed British theatre by highlighting authentic stories and voices. From 1996 to 2007, Bradwell served as the artistic director of the Bush Theatre in Shepherd’s Bush, London. The venue expressed their deep sorrow on social media, recognising his lasting impact on the theatre. Bradwell’s award-winning book, ‘The Reluctant Escapologist’, acclaimed for its alternative theatre exploration, bagged the Society for Theatre Research’s Theatre Book Prize in 2010.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
