Yorkshire theatre ends contract with leading playwright

John Godber, 54, one of the most performed playwrights in history, was until recently artist-in-residence and was formerly creative director of Hull Truck Theatre.

The new season announced last week does not feature a production by artistic director Gareth Tudor Price, nor any new work by Mr Godber – although there will be a two-week run of April in Paris in May. It is understood Mr Tudor Price has not been in the theatre for more than a month.

A theatre spokeswoman confirmed a formal contract with Mr Godber had ended but denied the move was driven by recently-announced funding cuts. A statement added: "The theatre and the playwright will have a more informal relationship in the future with plans for future collaborations being discussed in the new year.

"The move from a formal relationship to a more informal one is not as radical as it sounds. John's roles as creative director, then artist-in-residence, were always those of an independent artist whose services were secured through a retainer.

"John's new relationship with Hull Truck does not include the payment of this retainer, something which both allows John more options to work outside of Hull Truck and is of great help to the theatre in times of significant cuts in funding to the arts."

Neither Mr Godber nor Mr Tudor Price were available for comment.