Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival

Fresh Ink is a new theatre festival designed to support writers from Hull to create and develop new plays in the city.

Inspired by “scratch” theatre nights, the focus will be on performing early versions of new ideas to audiences and gathering feedback to support the next stages of their development.

The first festival in 2024 will be a pilot, with six commissions of varying sizes for writers with a meaningful connection to Hull.

Alongside rehearsed readings of each writer’s work, the festival will feature workshops, talks and social events.

The full programme will be announced in early June, with tickets for the festival going on-sale shortly after.

Middle Child would like to thank our co-founders and sponsors Wykeland and supporters, the J F Brignall Charitable Trust, I Am Fund and the Garrick Charitable Trust for their trust and support in making the festival a reality.

Meet the writers

Find out more about the six writers we have commissioned for the inaugural festival, coming to Hull from 20-21 July 2024.

Selection process

Literary manager Matthew May blogs about how the final six writers were chosen, from over 130 applicants.

Festival inspiration

Artistic director Paul Smith, writes about the need, inspiration and ambition for the festival, and our promises to artists and audiences.

FAQ

Currently aimed at writers and theatre makers, this FAQ will expand to include audience questions as we get into the thick of planning.