Signal Fires

In October and November, fires will light up across the UK for performers and audiences to share in one of the original forms of theatre: storytelling around a burning flame. The Signal Fires will signal the vibrancy of touring theatre and the threat our industry continues to face.

From spectacular bonfires to digital blazes, leading touring theatre companies will present events across the country, to celebrate our fundamental need to tell stories.

Altogether the companies will work with hundreds of UK freelancers and each fire will span different disciplines, reflecting the diversity of the touring circuit. All fires will be presented outdoors in front of socially distanced audiences, or digitally for those who are shielding or unable to travel.

• See the full list of participating companies on the Signal Fires website.

Middle Child presents Our Futures

Thursday 5 November 2020, 5.30pm and 7.30pm
Online (Zoom)
Free entry, limited availability

Our Futures is a collection of eight short plays, written during lockdown in the spring, to be told beneath the stars in Hull this autumn.

Our Futures is eight shots of hope that draw on the transformative potential of rage, family, lentils and stopping to draw breath.

The following writers will each share a new piece of work:

PART ONE

Maureen Lennon
Nastazja Somers
Luke Barnes
Ellen Brammar

PART TWO

Lydia Marchant
Daniel Ward
Rachael Abbey
Tom Wells

The eight plays were due to be presented around a fire-style installation on the Humber Street Gallery rooftop terrace.

Due to the new lockdown measures we will now be taking these rapid response stories online for lucky ticket holders to enjoy from the comfort of your own home – snuggly blanket and hot chocolate optional.

The first performance will take place at 5.30pm and the second at 7.30pm. Both are approximately an hour long.

Tickets

Due to the nature of this small, rapid-response event, tickets were free but limited in number. They were distributed through a ballot to ensure that everyone who would like to attend had a fair chance of doing so.

Content notes

Our recommended age guidance for these performances is 16+. Please see our separate content notes page for more detail on each play.