For the very first time, The Swan Theatre in Worcester will be hosting the NT Connections 2023 festival as a partner venue this April.

Running for over 28 years, Connections is the National Theatre’s annual youth theatre festival, bringing together talented young people from across the UK.

Over the course of the 3-day festival in April, local youth theatres, schools and young companies will perform a selection of 10 new plays, written exclusively for Connections by some of the UK’s most established playwrights.

Those performing in the festival will also broaden their creative skills at a variety of writing, dance and poetry workshops provided by local professionals in the theatre industry.

The local youth theatres, schools and companies performing at the Swan Theatre include the University of Worcester, Perfect Circle, Stagedoor Learning, Cheltenham Bournside School, King Edward VI Five Ways School, Worcester Youth Theatremakers, The Chantry School, The Kings Company as well as Worcester Theatres’ very own Young Rep.

Owen Harper, Creative Producer & Young Rep Artistic Director, said “The Worcester Theatres team and I are excited to be hosting groups from across the West Midlands as a partner venue for NT Connections this year. We have nine amazing productions performing at the Swan Theatre, all created with, by and for young people and it’s going to be three days of laughter, fun, and theatre! The groups will also be given the chance to learn and develop their theatre skills during a series of workshops hosted by local independent creatives and arts organisations, including Dancefest, Crave Arts and more. We can’t wait to get everyone involved in the fully packed schedule we have planned.”

CEO and Artistic Director, Sarah-Jane Morgan had this to say, “I am delighted that Worcester Theatres will be hosting for the first time, the NT Connections Festival. Having a connection to the National Theatre is very exciting, especially as Rufus Norris (Artistic Director of the NT) is the patron of our Swan Youth Theatre, having started his career here at the Swan. Regional talent development is crucial for the sustainability of companies such as our own Worcester Repertory Company, and we are delighted to be working with the NT Connections team to enable increased opportunities for those taking part.”

The festival will be taking place Saturday 1st - Monday 3rd April at the Swan Theatre. Tickets are available for each performance, or you can get an ‘All Day Pass’ to see all the performances happening that day. For more information head to worcestertheatres.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01905 611427.