Through this year’s National Theatre Connections Festival, Southwark Playhouse celebrates the talent of 150 local young people aged 13-19 as seven groups from the surrounding area, including their own Young Company for 14–18 year olds, are welcomed to perform on its stage.
Now in its 29th year, the National Theatre Connections Festival is an annual nationwide youth theatre festival that champions the talent of young people from across the UK.
Over 7,500 young people from 252 companies across the country will have the chance to perform at one of the 33 leading regional partner theatres from 15 March to 6 May, including at Southwark Playhouse Borough.
Ten plays are commissioned by National Theatre Connections every year for young people to perform, exploring a range of themes including neurodiversity, cancel culture and mental health.
Young people also have the opportunity to engage in all aspects of the theatre making process both on and off stage, including costume, lighting and set design, and learn about the many skills and roles involved in theatre.
Ten groups from across the UK will be invited to perform their version of one of this year’s plays at the National Theatre from 25-29 June to celebrate the vast range of young talent on display this year as part of the final stage of this year’s festival.
David Workman, Head of Participation at Southwark Playhouse, said “This is the second time we have hosted Connections, and if it’s anything like last time, we can’t wait.
“It’s such a privilege to be able to share our stage with such talented young people from across our local community and beyond, and give them the space to make the Playhouse their own”.
Kirsten Adam, Head of Young People’s Programmes at the National Theatre, said, “We are so excited to be working with Southwark Playhouse for this coming year of National Theatre Connections as they host performances from seven of their talented local groups.
“National Theatre Connections champions the talent of young people from across the UK and we cannot wait to see the imagination and creativity of young people nationwide develop through Connections this coming year”.
Performances:
Wednesday 24 April, 7.00pm
St Saviour’s and St Olave’s School performing The Sad Club by Luke Barnes and Adam Pleeth.
Thursday 25 April, 7.00pm
Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation (CYTO) performing Kiss/Marry/Push Off Cliff by Josh Azouz.
The Charter School East Dulwich performing Shout by Alexis Zegerman.
Friday 26 April, 7.00pm
Southwark Playhouse Young Company performing Replica by Titas Halder.
South Side Theatre Academy performing Kiss/Marry/Push Off Cliff by Josh Azouz.
Saturday 27 April, 7.00pm
Hackney Shed Collective performing The Periodicals by Siân Owen.
The Boury Academy CIC performing Wind/Rush Generation(s) by Mojisola Adebayo.
Booking: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/
All tickets £5
Southwark Playhouse Borough, 77-85 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BD
