Hull theatre fans are invited to dig out their favourite wedding outfits as the latest Middle Child show takes over Stage@TheDock in April.
Baby, He Loves You, by local playwright Maureen Lennon, is a tense new play set at a family wedding, with the audience seated at tables in the round, inside a marquee.
The show features original new music by Hull producer Ysabelle Wombwell and aerial acrobatic choreography by Late Night Circus’ Danielle Clements.
The story follows bride-to-be Jodie on a rollercoaster of engagement parties and hen-dos as her big day approaches.
But when skeletons begin to tumble out of the closet, she must finally question what it means to love your family, no matter what.
Middle Child artistic director, Paul Smith, said: “Everyone at Middle Child is delighted to bring Maureen’s brilliant new play to life in a wedding marquee at the gorgeous Stage@TheDock, hosted by our friends at Wykeland.
“It only feels right that we present the work of one of the city’s most exciting writers in one of the city’s most exciting spaces.
“Those who saw our 2019 production of Us Against Whatever know the depth and quality of Maureen’s writing, and we promise ‘Baby, He Loves You’ is every bit as brilliant.
“It speaks directly to the people of this city and asks challenging questions while giving you a great night out.”
Writer, Maureen Lennon, said: “’It’s hard to hold people to account. It’s even harder when it’s the people we love most.
“Baby He Loves You is a response to that difficulty. It’s about the slipperiness of love, trust and patriarchy and how easily we can all fall into becoming complicit.
“Today we’re better at the language of equality, but I think we’re still romanced by ideals steeped in misogyny. This play is about how easy it is to be seduced by those ideals, and how hard it is to escape.”
Maureen’s last play, Helen was produced by Theatre 503 and Terrain Theatre in 2023.
The Coppergate Woman was produced by York Theatre Royal in 2022, while Us Against Whatever was produced in 2019 by Middle Child in association with Hull Truck Theatre and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse.
Hull actor Laura Meredith (Hullraisers, Coronation Street, Emmerdale) plays Jodie, alongside fellow locals Elle Ideson as best friend Lucy and Dan McGarry as her dad, Phil.
University of Hull graduate Madeleine MacMahon (A Super Happy Story: About Feeling Super Sad) plays mum, Alison, while Jonathan Raggett plays fiancé, Mike.
Baby, He Loves You will run for 13 performances from 19-28 April, including four afternoon shows on Saturdays and Sundays.
Both performances on Saturday 27 April will include BSL interpretation by Sarah Cox.
Tickets go on-sale at noon, Tuesday 27 February, available through the Middle Child website, from £15.
Baby, He Loves You is funded by Arts Council England and Hull City Council, with support from Wykeland and Stage@TheDock.
Visit middlechildtheatre.co.uk/baby for more details and to book tickets.
