Each year since 1995, the National Theatre has provided 10 specially commissioned plays from established playwrights and supported local youth theatre groups across the UK to bring them to professional stages.
Champions of diverse, new voices, Southwark Playhouse will host the Festival for the second time, this April, and it seems they can’t wait for cutain up.
“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”
David Workman, Head of Participation at Southwark Playhouse.
Through this year’s Festival, Southwark Playhouse will celebrate the talent of 150 local young people aged 13-19 as seven groups drawn from the surrounding area, and including their own Young Company for 14–18 year olds.
From 24 – 27 April, Southwark Playhouse Borough will host performances from:
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.
“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”
Kirsten Adam, Head of Young People’s Programmes at the National Theatre
Given the ever more parlous state of arts funding in the UK (does the news ever announce anything truly positive?), programmes such as Connections have never been so vital. Not only has the festival produced several notable works, including Philip Ridley’s Sparkleshark, but it makes a space for the next generation of theatre makers now, rather than later.
Across the UK, 33 partner venues will play host to Connections’ performances from Pitlochry Festival Theatre to the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. Attending a Connections performance allows audiences to simultaneously support youth theatre, independent theatres, and new writing. What’s not to love?
Featured Image: provided by Southwark Playhouse
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