A world premiere about the “taboo” issue of inheritance will open Hull’s newest theatre on Humber Street in May.
Isabelle follows a Hull mother who brings her adult children together for the first time in ten years, only to drop a bombshell on them over dinner.
Isabelle is local writer Marc Graham’s debut play and the first to be performed in Middle Child’s studio theatre at 69 Humber Street.
Middle Child artistic director Paul Smith said: “Isabelle represents everything we have built our new theatre to do. It’s a stunning piece of writing from a first-time playwright, exploring an issue that affects us all.
“The play is funny and ferocious, asking the knotty question of what exactly millennials will do when they inherit the earth. Each time I read it I’m left fired-up and thoughtful in the best way possible.”
Isabelle was originally commissioned as a 30-minute piece by Middle Child and Wykeland at Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival 2024.
Paul added: “We’re so proud that Isabelle started life as a Fresh Ink commission. It shows the impact our playwriting festival, formed in partnership with Wykeland, is already having on the UK’s new writing landscape.
“We know Isabelle will be the first of many to make the journey from script-in-hand sharing to full production, strengthened by the feedback of Hull audiences.
“The entire reason Middle Child exist is to champion new plays full of big ideas and bold in form. Isabelle is exactly that.”
Marc is a founding member of Middle Child and is known for his annual appearance as dame Pattie Breadcake in the company’s rock’n’roll pantomime at Social.
He also starred in Middle Child’s production of All We Ever Wanted Was Everything at the Welly Club, for Hull 2017 UK City of Culture.
That show went on to sell-out at the Edinburgh Fringe, where Marc won a Stage Award for Excellence, before transferring to the Bush Theatre in London.
On Isabelle, Marc said: “The question of inheritance remains taboo in our society. We don’t talk about it, and it’s considered political suicide for any party to campaign on it.
“In the next 15-20 years though, millennials will receive what is being called the ‘great wealth transfer’, when their parents pass on their estates.
“Yet one in five won’t inherit anything, so overnight millennials will become two things: the richest generation ever and the most financially divided generation ever.
“Will some of us still choose to support those who can’t get on the ladder? I don’t know and I don’t have the answer, but I hope Isabelle can ignite that conversation.”
Middle Child moved into 69 Humber Street last summer and have been converting the former salon into a theatre since.
The building work has been made possible thanks to support from Wykeland, Hull City Council, Invest Hull, DCMS Create Growth and the Equity Charitable Trust.
Middle Child co-founder Marc added: “In 2011, eight actors and a director started Middle Child. I did not for a second think that this would be happening 15 years down the road. I feel very honoured that my play will now open our new theatre on Humber Street.”
Isabelle is produced by Middle Child with funding from Arts Council England, Hull City Council, Backstage Trust, The Sir James Reckitt Charity and the Garfield Weston Foundation. It was supported in development by the National Theatre.
Free tickets for young people aged 16–25 are available thanks to the I Am Fund, through Middle Child’s No Dress Code programme.
Tickets for performances from Friday 15th to Sunday 31sy May are now on sale via the Middle Child website, available from £12-£19.
Visit middlechildtheatre.co.uk/isabelle for more information and to book tickets.