Plays by Aidan Thompson-Coates, James Hall, Nina Koshy and Emily Lidgard

Kayfabe Babe is a brand-new 30-minute commission for Fresh Ink and a work-in-progress play. The Power of Invisibility, Ten Pound Per Minute and Please Don't Make Me Explain This are brand-new monologues, commissioned for Fresh Ink and also works-in-progress. 

A second draft of each piece will be performed script-in-hand inside a marquee on Stage@TheDock in Hull's Fruit Market.

Kayfabe Babe by Aidan Thompson-Coates

In the ring, Lexi Blade is a hardcore hero, cult favourite and queen of the indie wrestling scene. Behind the curtain, she’s Dixie: ambitious, fearless, and desperate for the career she’s spent her whole life fighting to achieve. When the region’s biggest televised wrestling promotion comes calling, the smoke, mirrors and spectacle of “kayfabe” bring with it an unfathomable catch. As the lines between performance and reality begin to blur, Dixie discovers that sometimes the hardest fights don’t happen between the ropes.

Aidan Thompson-Coates is a Hull-born actor and writer who took part in the 2025 Middle Child Writers’ Group and had a short scene performed at that year’s Fresh Ink. He is now developing his debut solo show, BALLGAMES, with the support of the Royal Court Theatre, Middle Child and Nathaniel J Hall.

The Power of Invisibility by James Hall

Robbie scrambles to be transported to a paradise thousands of miles away as they count down the anaesthetic but instead find themselves on Spring Bank. As their external life faces its own battle, their internal turmoil confronts the never-ending fight to be seen whilst having an invisible condition.

James Hall is a disabled multi-disciplinary performer, whose solo comedy shows have been performed at Edinburgh Fringe and Glastonbury. Born in Grimsby and raised in Immingham, but made in Hull, James is 97% sure they are the only person that still claims they are from Humberside.

Ten Pound Per Minute by Nina Koshy

Ten Pound Per Minute follows the exploits of a young British Indian woman who decides to earn some extra cash offering custom sitar performances. However, as her musical appearances grow more ambitious, the line between culture and performance starts to blur.

Nina Koshy is a master’s student from Hull, now studying Middle Eastern studies at Cambridge. She spends her time outside of her degree writing prose and for the stage, as well as performing in university productions.

Please Don't Make Me Explain This by Emily Lidgard

Joan prepares for her nightly ritual: a swim on the Flamborough coast. Haunted by her family history, Joan confides in us her obsessions, memories, and the fears she can’t shake. Standing on the cliffs, she wonders whether the sea will free her or pull her under?

Emily Lidgard is a writer from Hull who moved to Bristol to study English literature. Although she’s now based there, Hull continues to shape her voice and the themes she gravitates towards.

A limited number of tickets will be reserved to book on the day from our festival box office, by the venue.

For full details about this event, including content notes, cast and director credits and venue information, see the Fresh Ink website.