Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival

Fresh Ink is an annual theatre festival supporting writers from Hull to create and develop new plays in the city.

Inspired by “scratch” theatre nights, Fresh Ink will showcase early versions of new plays especially commissioned for the festival.

The inaugural 2024 edition featured script-in-hand performances, alongside writer workshops, industry talks and a keynote speech from David Byrne, artistic director of the Royal Court.

Applications are now open to writers with a meaningful connection to Hull to apply for one of seven new commissions to be performed at the 2025 festival.

• Find out more about the commissions and how to apply

Fresh Ink is produced by co-founders Middle Child and sponsored by co-founders Wykeland, with support from the J F Brignall Charitable Trust.

The 2024 festival was also supported Hull City Council, I Am Fund, Two Ridings Community Foundation, Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust, Hull Truck Theatre, the Warren Youth Project and the Garrick Charitable Trust.

Fresh Ink 2024

What’s On

Rehearsed readings, workshops, talks and social events. See what we programmed for the inaugural festival.

Venues

Find out more about the Fruit Market and our two venues, Stage@TheDock and 1-2 Pier Street, including how to find them both.

Meet the Writers

Find out more about the six writers commissioned to write six new plays, of varying lengths, for the first edition of Fresh Ink.

What to Expect

Check out our visitor’s guide for the 2024 festival in Hull’s Fruit Market quarter, including access information.

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