Connections is the National Theatre’s annual, nationwide youth theatre festival. The programme is 30 years old and has a history of championing the talent of young people from across the UK.
Every year, the National Theatre commissions new plays for young people to perform. The programme brings together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow.
We are excited to be a partner theatre for the fourth year, welcoming 7 companies from across the Northwest to perform on our historic Main Stage.
*Contains Strong Language and discussion of mental health.
Sunday 27th April
Crewe Lyceum Theatre: Senior Company presents YOU 2.0 by Alys Metcalf
Strangers Martha and Isaac find themselves forced into playing YOU 2.0, a new therapy video game designed to help players access their better selves. As they tackle the levels in two player mode, the pair form an unlikely friendship behind the anonymity of their gaming avatars, but their impact on each other’s lives goes much deeper than the game.
InterACT Youth Theatre presents Ravers by Rikki Beadle-Blair
A rag tag group of self-described ‘neeks’ (nerds and geeks) gather at midnight in a local park, to hold a ‘dry rave’. (no intoxicants). Will they succeed in redefining ‘cool’? Or will the powers that be succeed in shutting down the neek revolution?
Monday 28th April
St John Plessington Players presents Brain Play by Chloë Lawrence-Taylor and Paul Sirett
When Mia’s dad suffers a traumatic brain injury and struggles to leave the house, she makes it her mission to find the cure for his symptoms. Delving deeper and deeper into the world of neuroscience, Mia is desperate to make him better, but first she must contend with her own brain.
Tuesday 29th April
Helsby High School presents Brain Play by Chloë Lawrence-Taylor and Paul Sirett
When Mia’s dad suffers a traumatic brain injury and struggles to leave the house, she makes it her mission to find the cure for his symptoms. Delving deeper and deeper into the world of neuroscience, Mia is desperate to make him better, but first she must contend with her own brain.
St Marys Catholic College presents Saba's Swim by Danusia Samal
Seven months ago, Saba walked out of her GCSE mocks and didn’t come back. Her friends don’t understand why. Now, on prom night, Saba’s finally made contact, challenging her friends to track her down via a series of cryptic clues. But when the friends are finally reunited, Saba is different. The way she sees the world has changed. And what she’s asking of her friends... is it more than they can give?
Wednesday 30th April
Bishops High School presents Brain Play by Chloë Lawrence-Taylor and Paul Sirett
When Mia’s dad suffers a traumatic brain injury and struggles to leave the house, she makes it her mission to find the cure for his symptoms. Delving deeper and deeper into the world of neuroscience, Mia is desperate to make him better, but first she must contend with her own brain.
South Wirral High (LORIC players) presents No Regrets by Gary McNair
Over the course of five years, playwright Gary McNair spoke to people at all stages and in all walks of life on the subject of regret. This play marks the results of those conversations. A collection of scenes from the silly to the profound, that charts our relationship with the things we should have done but didn’t and the things we shouldn’t have done, but did.
