THE new chief executive of Hull Truck Theatre has been brought in to help nurture new talent and innovative productions.

In doing so Andrew Smaje hopes to entice new audiences to the world of the stage.

Mr Smaje has taken on the role created following a review of the theatre's management structure.

He has been artistic director of the Ustinov in Bath since 1999, with a remit to support and develop new and innovative work across a broad spectrum of performance genres.

Under his leadership, the Ustinov has grown into one of British theatre's leading contemporary performance venues

Mr Smaje, who has also been associate director at Theatre Royal Bath for more than ten years, will work with artistic director Gareth Tudor Price and operations director Paul Marshall.

Acclaimed local playwright John Godber will take a new title of artist in residence when Mr Smaje joins in October.

Mr Smaje said: "Hull Truck's new £15 million theatre, with its brilliant 440-seat main house and new studio space right in the heart of Hull city centre, represents a real opportunity for the company to develop its programme and to entice new audiences.

"I'm very excited to have been charged with securing the next stage of Hull Truck's future."

His track record at Bath includes co-productions with the Traverse Theatre and premieres of plays by Lucinda Coxon and Gregory Burke.

Chairman of Hull Truck Theatre Board Michael Oughtred explained the reason for the top level reshuffle.

He said: "Hull Truck is one of the busiest producing houses in the region and we want to diversify that programme with exciting collaborations, co-productions and visiting companies.

"Playwriting will remain central to the company's work –- Hull Truck has always been a theatre for playwriting and it's important the nurturing of a diversity of talent remains at the core of what Hull Truck does."

Hull Truck has also announced its autumn/winter season, with highlights including A Passionate Woman starring its writer Kay Mellor and Wuthering Heights featuring ex-Coronation Street stars Gaynor Faye and Rupert Hill.

Hull Truck will also be taking John Godber's classic Teechers on a national tour, visiting a total of 15 venues.