THE Stephen Joseph Theatre, in Scarborough, will be presenting four different plays and a rehearsed reading by six different schools, colleges and theatre groups from May 12 to 14 as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.
Every year 10 new plays are written exclusively for Connections by some of the most influential British playwrights, giving young people aged 13 to 19 all over the country access to the best new writing for theatre.
At the Stephen Joseph, theatre groups from Scarborough, York, Stockton, County Durham and Kendal will all come together to perform at the festival.
Cheryl Govan, the theatre’s outreach officer, who has co-ordinated the Connections festival, in Scarborough, said: “It’s very exciting to be able to bring together different young people’s theatre groups from across the region for NT Connections, which celebrates great new writing for the stage.” The energy, commitment and talent of these young theatre-makers is incredible and we can’t wait to see the finished results at the Stephen Joseph Theatre.
“We’re also delighted to have secured a grant allowing us to offer 180 free passes to students studying GCSE or A-level drama at any schools and colleges in Scarborough, Whitby and Filey. It’s a good opportunity for them to see new work by their peers and we hope that it will inspire them in their studies.”
Students can come to any or all festival performances and there are 20 free passes available per establishment. Anyone interested should inquire at their school or college for more information.
The performances are:
Monday, May 12, 7pm - Scarborough Youth Theatre presents Heritage. Brewery Youth Theatre, Kendal presents A Shop Selling Speech;
Tuesday, May 13, 7pm - St Peter’s School, York, presents The Wardrobe. Stockton Riverside College presents Pronoun;
Wednesday, May 14, 7pm - Stephen Joseph Youth Theatre, rehearsed reading. Shotton Hall Theatre School, County Durham, presents Heritage.
The festival takes place from Monday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 14, from 7pm each evening. Tickets cost £5 and are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at sjt.uk.com
Ten companies chosen from around the country will also go on to perform at the National Theatre from July 2 to 7.
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