What to Expect
We know that some people like to know what to expect before coming to an event, so we’ve put together this guide to share just that.
If you have any further questions, see our separate FAQ or contact Middle Child marketing manager, Jamie Potter, via jamie@middlechildtheatre.co.uk
Venues
Stage at the Dock
All events at Stage@TheDock will take place inside a weatherproof marquee at stage level, accessible by a lift.
Stage@TheDock will host play readings, keynote speeches and our meet the writer panels.
A maximum of 100 folding seats will be laid out in rows facing a raised stage. These can be removed to accommodate wheelchair users.
Audiences will have access to toilets located at Nibble and Bert’s, next to Stage@TheDock. These will be available to use at any time, including during the events.
A box office will be available at stage level, where you can book tickets and get help with your bookings.
Pier Street
The Pop-Up Space at 1-2 Pier Street is a former warehouse space.
Pier Street will host all of our workshops and most of our talks. It has level access throughout and audiences will be able to use an accessible toilet here.
For workshops, attendees will sit in padded folding chairs around a large table, with a maximum capacity of 20 people.
For talks, a separate ‘theatre’ style space, with rows of padded folding chairs facing a stage, will seat a maximum of 40 people.
Chairs for both set-ups are easily removed to accommodate wheelchair users.
Middle Child
Middle Child’s new theatre is a 65-seater studio space, with level access and an accessible toilet. Padded and upholstered theatre seats are laid out in rows on an incline, offering good views from all seats.
This space will host sharings of work from the three different writers’ groups as well as our lunchtime networking events, and is directly opposite the pop-up space on Pier Street.
A pop-up box office will also be available outside, where you can book tickets and get help with your bookings.
For more information about this venue, including seat sizes, visit the Middle Child website.
Weather
Whilst all events across the festival are indoors, you may be moving between venues and visiting cafes and establishments in the Fruit Market area.
We advise audiences to check the weather forecast before the weekend and bring suncream and a hat if we are expecting hot weather.
The marquee at Stage@TheDock can become very warm on a sunny day, so please make sure you bring a bottle of water.
The wooden steps leading down to Stage@TheDock and the boards at stage levels can become slippery when wet, so please take care if it’s a rainy weekend.
Fruit Market
The Fruit Market quarter is home to many independent cafes, bars, restaurants and shops, which we encourage festival-goers to visit and take advantage of the fabulous array of food and drink.
You are welcome to bring refreshments into all Fresh Ink venues including alcoholic drinks. Please ensure these are in a plastic cup.
More information will be made available closer to the festival, so please do check back for updates.
Fresh Ink Timings
The festival event timings differ from Saturday to Sunday, so please check the schedule and your ticket information carefully.
There will often be performances and activities grouped together in the same time slot, so there may be times when you see two or more performances of different plays in the same sitting. When booking tickets for plays, you’ll be able to see which other plays will be presented at the same time. You only need one ticket per performance time slot.
We’ve done our best to avoid too much overlap of events between the two venues, but some clashes are inevitable and you will need to choose which events you most want to attend. We’ve created a handy clash finder on our line-up page to check.
Tickets
Tickets are available from £4-8 per event, while some events are free, with booking still required. Tickets can be booked in advance or on the day, from our two pop-up box offices.
You can book tickets for each event in advance through this website. Alternatively, you can visit Middle Child’s online box office and book for multiple events in one go.
We reserve a portion of tickets for all of the plays performed at Stage@TheDock and at Middle Child for people to buy on the day, from our two pop-up box offices.
These will be located on Stage@TheDock and outside Middle Child, on Humber Street. You can also get help with your bookings at these two box offices.
When you arrive at an event, you will be asked to show your e-tickets on a phone or device, which will be checked by a volunteer or member of staff.
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All plays performed throughout the festival are early drafts of new work and can be seen at Stage@TheDock or at Middle Child.
They will all be performed script-in-hand, by professional actors, after a day or two of rehearsals with a director. These sharings are a way for audiences to see a first glimpse of new work in early draft form.
Actors will stand on a small stage, with minimal lighting, no set, costume or music. They will use microphones.
Each play comes with its own content notes. Please check individual play pages on this website for content warnings for each play.
The age recommendation for all performances is 14+, with parental discretion, and some plays contain strong language and challenging themes.
See our full play line-up for more information about each play.
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Writer workshops take place in the pop-up space on Pier Street.
These ‘How to…’ workshops, led by established industry professionals who excel in their fields, will include participation, discussion, guided exercises and sharing of experiences.
They have been designed to help you develop your craft, learn more about the respective workshop themes or give you a taster if you’re thinking about starting your writing journey.
See our full workshop line-up for more information about each workshop.
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Most talks are held in an informal setting at Pier Street. As industry experts, talk leaders will offer invaluable insight into their craft, practice and experience, with opportunities to ask questions, make notes and discover more across an exciting range of themes.
The two evening keynote talks will be held at Stage@TheDock, as well as our Meet the Writer panels.
See our full talk line-up for more information about each talk.
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The two social lunchtime events will take place at Stage@TheDock: one a relaxed networking session, the other an opportunity to ask the questions that have long sat in your mind.
These sessions start at 1.00pm on Saturday and Sunday, so you’re welcome to bring your lunch and chat with others.
Both social events are free, but booking is still required. For more information see our social pages.
When you arrive
Staff at each venue will ask to check your tickets on your phone or device and scan them before you enter. You won’t need to print tickets at home.
For those wishing to purchase tickets on the day, rather than pre-book, you can make your way to the box office next to Stage@TheDock. Please note that tickets bought on the day will be subject to availability.
You may arrive 10 minutes before your event time and staff will guide you from there.
Who you will meet
Festival staff, in branded Fresh Ink t-shirts, will be visible across all three venues over the weekend. They will be on hand to help answer any questions and point you in the right direction.
HEY Volunteers, in blue uniforms will be present throughout the festival. They can offer you a free festival brochure, guide you to your events and answer any questions.