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 audience development 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, our lunchtime networking sessions and our meet the writer panels.
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.
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 the majority of our talks.
It has level access throughout and audiences will be able to use an accessible toilet here.
Seating
Audiences attending events in the marquee at Stage@TheDock will sit in unreserved seating (except for wheelchair users) and we ask people to fill from the front upon arrival.
Performers at Stage@TheDock will be visible as they will be stood on a raised stage.
At Pier Street, unreserved seating will be arranged informally for talks and workshops.
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 fantastic Taphouse are running a dedicated festival bar next to the marquee at Stage@TheDock, serving a range of alcoholic and soft drinks. Card payments are preferable.
Audiences will be allowed to bring drinks into the marquee, in plastic cups.
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 either Fresh Ink venue.
Fresh Ink Timings
The festival opens at 9.30am and closes at 9.30pm on both days, but event timings differ from Saturday to Sunday (even for repeat events), so please check the schedule and your ticket information carefully.
There will often be performances 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 (or keynote speeches), you’ll be able to see what other events yours will be presented with. 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 make choices on which events you most want to attend. We’ve created a handy clash finder on our line-up page to check.
Tickets
Most of the events are priced on a Pay What You Decide scheme, where you can choose to pay anything between £3-10. Some events are free, with booking still required.
Although this is a Middle Child event, we are selling tickets through Hull Truck Theatre box office. Each event listing on our website has a link to book tickets, or you can call the Hull Truck Theatre box office on 01482 3236368.
A box office, staffed by Hull Truck Theatre, is open throughout the festival at Stage@TheDock, where you can buy tickets on the day (subject to availability) or get help with your bookings.
When you arrive at either festival venue, 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.
Performances
All plays performed throughout the festival are early drafts of new work and can be seen at Stage@TheDock. 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.
Workshops
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.
Talks
Most talks are held in an informal setting at Pier Street. All 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.
Socials
The two social events will take place at Stage@TheDock: one a relaxed networking session, the other an opportunity to put an idea forward to the room and make connections.
These sessions start at 1.30pm 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 both venues 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 prebook, 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 in and around the two venues across 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 and available to guide you to your events and answer queries.