“One day people will travel from all over to visit our little theatre”
The creative force behind some of the funniest and most thought-provoking plays to come out of Hull has announced a move into the heart of Humber Street. Middle Child will take over 69 Humber Street, formerly GH&36 hair studio.
The theatre’s artistic director, Paul Smith, made the announcement on Tuesday. It comes after Middle Child was revealed as one of the first-ever resident companies of the National Theatre in London.
In recent years, Middle Child has been behind bold new plays set in unconventional locations, such as on the top of a Hull multi-storey car park, challenging people’s perceptions of theatre. It also makes riotously funny pantomimes that sell out every Christmas.
Building works have begun and, although no exact date is set for opening, it is scheduled for spring 2026. Smith said the ultimate ambition is to make Middle Child “the most influential new writing theatre outside of London”.
In the announcement published on the Middle Child website, he said: “Our space is going to be radical. It’s going to develop, nurture and produce the best new work. One day people will travel from all over to visit our little theatre, knowing they will see plays that will challenge, surprise and inspire them.
“We believe plays that start their life here will, one day, be seen in the West End, on Broadway and on television. They’ll be locally rooted, but globally ambitious.
“We dream that in the future someone will look back and track this theatre’s role in identifying and platforming the next generation of playwrights, and the next wave of great, boundary-breaking plays. It is from this space that we will carve a hopeful path for new writing in Hull, the north and the whole of the country.
“Times are hard, but we want 69 Humber Street to reignite artists’ belief in what’s possible and re-energise local audiences around new work made with them in mind. This is not a time to be cynical, but a time to hope, dream and act.
“We know this is a big vision, being brought into play among funding challenges, terrifying world events and a decrease in the amount of new writing being produced nationally. But it also these factors that affirm this is the correct way forward.
“We, as an industry, need to fight for spaces which truly believe in new voices and new stories, which strive to better understand the world we’re living in. We can’t regress to the safest choices or the easiest routes but must instead work hard to remind audiences how brilliant, relevant and unmissable live theatre can be.”
Smith thanked Hull City Council, Wykeland, DCMS Create Growth and Invest Hull for their support. He added: “As always, our priority is Hull and we’re excited to continue making plans that prove this city is the place to be.”
Is Hull the best place to live in Yorkshire? You can have your say by completing the poll below or by clicking here.