THE 1812 Youth Theatre will be performing The Changing Room by Chris Bush at Helmsley Arts Centre this weekend as part of National Theatre Connections - a nationwide celebration of new plays for young people.

The Changing Room is one of 10 brand new plays written especially for Connections by a selection of the best playwriting talent in the UK. A lyrical piece about existing on the cusp of growing up. Are we teenagers? Are we children? What are we? It’s about bodies in flux and perspectives shifting; knowing change is coming but not what that change will look like.

Set in and around a swimming pool, The Changing Room follows a group of teens full of excitement, impatience and uncertainty, each with their own secret worries and desires for what comes next.

National Theatre Connections is one of the UK’s largest celebrations of youth theatre.

Plays are commissioned for and about young people, from some of the best contemporary playwrights, and performed by schools and youth theatres all over the UK and Ireland.

In 2018, National Theatre Connections is working with up to 270 youth theatres and schools to stage ten newly commissioned plays, adding to the 160 plus plays the National Theatre have commissioned for young people since 1995.

All the companies will transfer their production to one of 28 Connections Partner Theatres across the UK.

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre (BNT), said: “Connections is at the heart of the National Theatre’s work for young people and one of the most exciting and important projects we do.

“We think it’s vital that young people, wherever they are in the country and whatever their future path, have a chance to get involved in theatre.’

Youth Theatre Member Amy Hughes, said: “I love doing the NT Connections festival because it allows our youth theatre to explore new ideas as a group using a brand new script.

“We are able to learn from each other and devise our own material to share with others in the festival, which is a very rewarding process. Amy added: “Touring to the West Yorkshire Playhouse is also a brilliant opportunity for us, we can’t wait.”

To book to see the 1812 Youth Theatre perform The Changing Room at Helmsley Arts Centre on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24.

For more information and to buy ticket contact the box office on 01439 771700 or go to www.helmsleyarts.co.uk