National Youth Theatre (NYT) has announced the first wave of performers and contributors set to appear in Letters to My Younger Future Self, a one-night-only staged event marking the organisation’s 70th anniversary.
Supported by Netflix, the production will take place at the Royal Festival Hall on 20 September 2026 and will bring together leading figures from film, television, theatre and literature alongside emerging young talent.
Returning to their NYT roots for the celebration are BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story star India Amarteifio, Down Cemetery Road actor Fehinti Balogun, Game of Thrones star Jessica Henwick, broadcaster Rob Rinder, poet Takunda Muzondiwa, writer Jack Thorne and actor-writer Sarah Solemani.
The event will feature stories, reflections and advice from performers and creatives looking back on their younger selves, while letters from Dame Judi Dench and Lashana Lynch will also be included. Further names are set to be announced.
Directed by NYT CEO and Artistic Director Paul Roseby OBE and Josie Daxter, the production features dramaturgy by Krishna Istha and Sophie Ellerby, with video design by Will Duke, lighting design by Prema Mehta, sound design by Nicola Chang and movement direction by Matthew Wells.
The event will also showcase young creatives developed through Netflix and National Youth Theatre’s IGNITE Your Creativity programme, with emerging talent working on stage, behind the scenes and on screen.
NYT Patron Adeel Akhtar said: “I came up through National Youth Theatre and it was a really, really important step in me being where I am now. I’m looking forward to being back with my friends from NYT for a special evening”
NYT President Barbara Broccoli CBE said: “The National Youth Theatre’s Letters To My Younger Future Self at Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall promises to be a very special evening of entertainment celebrating the 70th anniversary of the world’s first youth theatre. We are assembling an exciting line-up of Britain’s brightest young talent to perform alongside NYT alumni, the UK’s leading actors across television, film and theatre”.
Adolescence co-creator and NYT alumnus Jack Thorne said: “I love the NYT. I had the time of my life there and watching what they did with Let The Right One In recently was just thrilling. I loved acting as a kid, and my dad brought me to London to audition for the courses they ran. He actually bought me three times, because I failed to get in the first two. But once inside it was like being welcomed to the best club. I was surrounded by ambition and talent. I quickly realised I wasn’t good enough to be an actor, but it fired me with a desperation to find another way to get into the rehearsal room.”
India Amarteifio said: “Happy to be supporting NYT at The Royal Festival Hall in September. An important place for young people to hone their skills from across the country and without socio-economic exemption. Just art!”
Jessica Henwick said: “National Youth Theatre was a key step on the road to where I am today. I’m pleased to support the next generation on their journey into the industry”
Ted Hodgkinson, Head of Literature & Spoken Word at the Southbank Centre, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting Letters to My Younger / Future Self at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, part of our Letters To The Future weekend. This new project is all about platforming the voices and views of young people, and asking big questions about what kind of society they want to build as we head into our next 75 years. We look forward to welcoming present and future stars of stage and screen to the Royal Festival Hall to hear their letters to their younger / future selves in what promises to be a very inspiring night.”
Founded in 1956, National Youth Theatre has helped launch the careers of generations of performers, writers, comedians and musicians, including Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren, Regé-Jean Page, Susan Wokoma, James Graham, Lennie James, Ed Sheeran and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Proceeds from the event will support National Youth Theatre’s work with young people across the UK during its 70th anniversary year.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
