We are Middle Child, theatre that makes a noise.
We are a Hull-based company creating gig theatre that brings people together for a good night out with big ideas. We tell untold stories which capture the electrifying moment when the beat drops, mixing original live music with bold new writing. Our events are live and loud, making sense of the modern world.
We are committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that theatre is affordable and accessible for all. We will set fire to your expectations of what a night at the theatre can be.
Our artist development programme, Reverb, ensures that artists in Hull are given top-class development opportunities across disciplines, without having to leave the city.
We are an Arts Council England national portfolio organisation and an associate company of Paines Plough, supported by Hull City Council.
”There is a disconnect between an industry predominantly based in metropolitan areas and those who feel unheard, those who never go to the theatre, who think it’s not for them, or who have no access. Middle Child is the kind of company that can bridge the gap.
Lyn Gardner
What is gig theatre?
For us it’s not just abut putting a guitar on stage but thinking about the whole audience experience. Gigs are live, social experiences that bring people together in a shared space and we acknowledge and play with that.
Direct address features heavily and our audiences are welcome to photograph the show, or go to the bar or the toilet halfway through and catch-up with their friends when they return. We want our fans to feel relaxed, welcome and as much a part of the night as what they see on the stage. In fact, all of our performances are relaxed, meaning that noise and movement is welcome in our audience. For Middle Child, gig theatre is about the entire live experience and setting fire to expectations of what a night at the theatre can be.
Our values
- We are a Hull company and that is vital to our work, our stories and our entire ethos;
- We put Hull artists at the heart of our creative process, our growth and our successes;
- We prioritise the well-being of the people we work with and challenge damaging behaviours and habits within the industry;
- We endeavour for our work to be affordable and accessible to all;
- We lead with authenticity, transparency and openness at every level of the organisation;
- We are committed to creating greater equity in who makes and enjoys theatre;
- We are determined to increase the diversity of artists and audiences in Hull.
