Theatre Royal Plymouth to welcome nine local youth theatre groups as part of National Theatre’s 2024 Connections Festival

Through this year’s National Theatre Connections Festival, Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) celebrates the talent of more than 100 local young people aged 13-19 as nine groups from Plymouth and the surrounding area are welcomed to perform on its Drum stage.

From 16 - 20 April, TRP will host performances from: Atlantic Coast Theatre, Lipson Cooperative Academy, King Edward VI Community College, Plympton Academy, Bodmin College, Callywith College, Pike and Musket, Fowey River Academy and Acorn Young People’s Theatre.

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 UK will have the chance to perform at one of the 33 leading regional partner theatres from 15 March to 6 May, including at TRP. 

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.

Ryan Wilce, Producer at Theatre Royal Plymouth, said: “We’re so excited the Connections Festival is back for 2024. It’s such a privilege to be able to host performances from these local colleges and theatre groups and give them a chance to perform on our stage in front of a live audience. The plays cover a range of topics from selective mutism, depression and time-travel. There really is something for everyone. I’d encourage anyone who wants to watch a one-off performance and support these local groups to come along and be part of this unique celebration of young talent.”

Kirsten Adam, Head of Young People's Programmes at the National Theatre, said: "We are so excited to be working with Theatre Royal Plymouth for this coming year of National Theatre Connections as they host performances from nine 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 cost £8 and will take place in The Drum theatre. For more information about the National Theatre Connections Festival at TRP and to book tickets, visit https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/connections-festival-2024/ or watch https://youtu.be/oUVWR16-UcU.