Theatre company Middle Child is to launch a new theatre festival, Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival, in summer 2024 featuring work by writers from Hull.
Applications now open to writers for commissions for six new plays for the first festival in July 2024.
Middle Child artistic director and chief executive Paul Smith said, “Edinburgh Fringe is becoming impossible for many companies, the future remains uncertain for London’s Vault Festival and challenges abound in finding financial deals for ‘risky new work’ that suits both touring companies and regional venues.
“Theatre makers must also contend with rising costs, reduced audience numbers in the face of COVID and competition for funding, while freelancers bear the brunt of low pay and fewer employment opportunities, especially in Hull.
“While these are massive, industry- and country-wide challenges, we at Middle Child want to do everything we can to increase opportunity, employment and access for theatre workers in our small corner of the world.
“That is why we’re launching Fresh Ink, an annual new playwriting festival, to directly fund and support the grassroots development of new plays in Hull, bringing new ideas to the stage and inviting audience feedback on early work to shape its future.”
Middle Child will hire a company of actors and produce the six new plays, as well as inviting other companies to share works-in-progress, and will also invite theatre fans behind the scenes to see plays in development.
Performances will take place at venues across Hull’s Fruit Market quarter, including the outdoor Stage @TheDock, over one weekend in late July 2024.