The National Theatre’s Connections Festival returns this June, marking its 30th anniversary with a vibrant showcase of youth theatre from across the UK.
This milestone year also celebrates the reopening of the Dorfman Theatre, which has been closed since November 2024 for government-funded capital works.
Over the past three months, more than 5,000 young people from over 270 schools and youth theatre companies have performed across 33 professional stages nationwide.
Now, ten outstanding youth theatre groups have been selected to bring their productions to the National Theatre from 24–28 June.
Each group will present one of ten specially commissioned plays, offering fresh and diverse perspectives on contemporary themes.
From climate change to identity, the plays reflect the voices and concerns of young people today.
The selected groups include:
- Fresh Air by Vickie Donoghue – Central Foundation Boys’ School, Islington, London
- Ravers by Rikki Beadle-Blair – HOME Young Company, Manchester
- Mia and the Fish by Satinder Chohan – Abbey Grange Academy, Leeds
- The Company of Trees by Jane Bodie – Hamilton District Youth Theatre, Lanarkshire
- Their Name is Joy by May Sumbwanyambe – Nottingham Girls Academy Theatre Company
- Saba’s Swim by Danusia Samal – Central Youth Theatre, Wolverhampton
- Normalised by Amanda Verlaque – Brassneck Youth, Belfast
- No Regrets by Gary McNair – Glasgow Acting Academy
- Brain Play by Chloë Lawrence-Taylor and Paul Sirett – Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School, Ramsgate
- YOU 2.0 by Alys Metcalf – Everyman Youth Theatre, Cardiff
From lighting and costume to directing and composing, young people have taken on backstage roles to bring their productions to life.
Indhu Rubasingham, Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, said:
“I am really pleased to welcome ten youth groups from all corners of the UK to the NT for this landmark anniversary festival of Connections. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the power of theatre-making. I look forward to celebrating the extraordinary energy and creative vision these young performers will bring to our stages this June.”
Since its inception, Connections has involved over 125,000 young people, with alumni including Rose Ayling-Ellis, Keira Knightley, David Oyelowo, and Callum Scott Howells.
Each year, ten new plays are commissioned, adding to a growing library of over 235 scripts written specifically for young performers.
Tickets are priced at £5 per performance or £8 for two shows in one evening. All performances will be captioned.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
