- Seven paid commissions up for grabs
- Applications open to writers aged 18+ with a connection to Hull
- Deadline is Friday 12 September
Middle Child are inviting playwrights with “a meaningful connection to Hull” to apply for one of seven paid commissions for Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival 2026.
The available commissions include two full-length 70-minute pieces, two 30-minute plays and three monologues.
All seven will be performed script-in-hand by professional actors at the 2026 festival, after the development of two drafts with the Middle Child literary team.
Matthew May, Middle Child literary manager, said: “We are once again delighted to invite writers with a meaningful connection to Hull to apply for commission, to be performed at next year’s festival.
“What you write about is up to you, but we’re looking for stories that speak to contemporary Hull. They don’t need to be set here, or about here, but they do need to say something to the people that live here.
“There is something for writers of any level, over the age of 18, from brand-new writers, through to emerging and more established playwrights, and it’s a pleasure to see writers of all experiences share a platform, as they did at this year’s festival.”
The second edition of Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival took place across Hull’s Fruit Market over the weekend of 19-20 July 2025.
It featured sharings of seven new commissions by local writers, alongside workshops and talks from theatre makers including Javaad Alipoor, Samuel Edward Cook, Winsome Pinnock and Tabby Lamb.
Jim Norris was commissioned to write a full-length play, No Scrap, No Chips, about Hessle Road rag and bone men, for the 2025 festival.
He said: ”Fresh Ink is a bit of magic for anyone who wants to write. I’d always thought that writing was a solo effort, but Fresh Ink has made me see that it is a full-on collaboration.
“The team at Middle Child are a class act and they helped me take my idea from my head to the stage gently and with care.
“For anyone who has even half an idea they want to write, please get your application in. Hull is full of unique voices waiting to be heard, so why not yours?”
Writers interested in applying for Fresh Ink 2026 can find out more about each commission, including how to apply, at freshinkhull.co.uk/apply
Applications close at midday on Friday 12 September.
Fresh Ink is produced by co-founders Middle Child and sponsored by co-founders Wykeland, with support from the J F Brignall Charitable Trust.