Fresh Ink 2026
The third year featured script-in-hand performances of new commissions in a marquee on Stage@TheDock, alongside sharings of short scenes by three Middle Child writers’ groups in Middle Child’s new studio theatre on Humber Street.
The programme also included writer workshops and industry talks at the pop-up space on Pier Street and keynote speeches by Rachel Twigg of the National Theatre and Hull playwright, Lydia Marchant.
Fresh Ink 2026 was produced by co-founders Middle Child and sponsored by co-founders Wykeland, with support from the J F Brignall Charitable Trust, Hull City Council, the University of Hull, Hull Truck Theatre, the Fenton Arts Trust, the I Am Fund and the Garrick Charitable Trust.
18-19 July 2026
Stage@TheDock
Humber Street, Hull
Middle Child
Humber Street, Hull
Pop-Up Space
Pier Street, Hull
Plays
Daddy’s Girl
Elle Douglas
Lucky Numbers
Dan McGarry
Save the Wreck
Jamie Lee Falk
Kayfabe Babe
Aidan Thompson-Coates
The Power of Invisibility
James Hall
Ten Pound Per Minute
Nina Koshy
Please Don’t Ask Me to Explain
Emily Lidgard
Middle Child Writers’ Group
Various Writers
Class Acts: Working Class Writers’ Group
Various Writers
No Dress Code: Young Writers’ Group
Various Writers
Let It Burn (An Extract)
Sarah Middleton
Workshops
How to Write Compelling Applications
Lydia Marchant and Matthew May
How to Write Dialogue
Simon Stephens
How to Adapt Existing Stories
Kendall Feaver
How to Celebrate Liveness
Sami Ibrahim
How to Start Writing Plays
Tom Wells
How to Build Character
Iman Qureshi
Talks
How I Write Comedy
John Godber
How I Use Research
Gillian Slovo
How I Meet New Writers
Leeds Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres and York Theatre Royal
How I Join Rehearsals
Maureen Lennon
Keynote Speech
Rachel Twigg (National Theatre)
Keynote Speech
Lydia Marchant
Meet the Writers
Fresh Ink 2026 Commissioned Playwrights
Socials
I Hate Networking
Rabbey
No Stupid Questions
Rabbey and Sarah Penney
Writers
Elle Douglas
Elle is a singer and writer, originally from Newcastle now living in Hull, who was commissioned to write a children’s show with music for Durham Gala Theatre in 2023.
Dan McGarry
Dan is a writer, actor and director originally from Hull, who runs Writing Doesn’t Have To Be Lonely, a regular showcase of new writing in Northampton.
Jamie Lee Falk
Jamie is a lifelong Hull resident and author of two novels, who discovered a passion for theatre after taking part in Hull Truck Theatre’s Playwriting Course. This is their first commission as a playwright.
Aidan Thompson Coates
Aidan is a Hull-born actor, writer and theatre-maker. He took part in the 2025 Middle Child Writers Group, which led to his piece, Hear Lies, being performed at Fresh Ink 2025.
James Hall
James is a disabled multi-disciplinary performer, whose solo comedy shows have been performed at Edinburgh Fringe and Glastonbury. Born in Grimsby, but made in Hull, James is 97% sure they are the only person that still claims they are from Humberside.
Nina Koshy
Nina is a master’s student from Hull, now studying Middle Eastern studies at Cambridge. She spends her time outside of her degree writing prose and for the stage, as well as performing in university productions.
Emily Lidgard
Emily is a writer from Hull who moved to Bristol to study English literature. Although she’s now based there, Hull continues to shape her voice and the themes she gravitates towards.