Award-winning theatre company Middle Child are teaming up with Hull Libraries to bring a pop-up version of their script library to residents across Hull this autumn.
The Plays Aloud, which is funded by the James Reckitt Library Trust, will also promote Hull Libraries’s extensive collection of play scripts
The tour will feature a collection of modern plays travelling around Hull in a specially designed flight case, bringing them closer to theatre fans in the city.
Middle Child artistic associate, Matthew Butchers, said: “Middle Child are so excited to be teaming up with Hull Libraries to share our mutual love of plays with all of Hull.
“We’re really looking forward to bringing some Middle Child vibes to written words and we hope that as much of the city as possible will get the chance to explore our travelling library.”
Middle Child production The Canary and the Crow,
Edinburgh 2019. Photo credit: The Other Richard.
The project also includes a pay what you can workshop that will bring scripts from both collections to life with a DJ and performers at Hull Central Library on Thursday 17 October.
The interactive workshop is open to the public and will take place from 7pm until 9pm, followed by an after hours social in the library.
Councillor Marjorie Brabazon, chair of Hull Culture and Leisure, said: “As well as receiving rave reviews all over the country for their ground-breaking gig theatre, Middle Child also engage with local communities to promote theatre and the written word.
“It’s fantastic that part of their library is going to be toured across the city, opening up the magical world of theatre to new audiences.”
The pop-up collection will be available at Hull Central Library from 14 October until 2 November, before setting off on a seven-week tour of the city’s libraries, where people will be able to borrow plays to enjoy at home.
Middle Child’s Theatre Library was launched in 2018 and stocks more than 1,000 plays by contemporary and classic writers. It can be accessed Monday to Friday at their rehearsal space and creative hub in the former Darley’s pub, on Porter Street on the Thornton Estate.
Plays in the collection that will tour Hull Libraries include hits such as The Believers Are But Brothers by Javaad Alipoor, Dance Nation by Clare Barron, Barber Shop Chronicles by Inua Ellams, Emilia by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm and The Lovely Bones by Bryony Lavery.
Dates
Mon 14 Oct-Sat 2 Nov – Central
(Inc. Thu 17 Oct – Interactive Workshop 7pm)
Mon 4-Sat 9 Nov – Greenwood
Mon 11-Sat 16 Nov – Ings
Mon 18-Sat 23 Nov – Bransholme
Mon 25-Sat 30 Nov – Fred Moore
Mon 2 Nov-Sat 7 Dec – East Park
Mon 9-Sat 14 Dec – Avenues
Mon 16-Sat 21 Dec – Western
