Tuesday 10 – Saturday 14 April A festival of theatre, new writing, performances and workshops for 11 – 25 year olds!
derbytheatre.co.uk | 01332 59 39 39 Connections is supported by The Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Buffini Chao Foundation, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Jacqueline and Richard Worswick, Mactaggart Third Fund, The EBM Charitable Trust, Samantha and Richard Campbell-Breeden, The Garvey Family Trust, Susan Miller and Byron Grote, Anthony P. Skyrme, The Derrill Allatt Foundation, Hays Travel Foundation, Faithorn Farrell Timms and supporters of the Connections Appeal. The National Theatre’s partner for learning is Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
The Plays
Welcome to the National Theatre Connections Festival, an exciting five-day festival of new writing for young people aged 11-25. Each year, the National Theatre asks ten writers to create new plays for performance by young companies all over the country. We are thrilled to be welcoming nine local companies to our festival this year, including our own Youth Theatre who will be performing Alice Birch’s experimental new play [BLANK] - a play of 60 scenes to choose from without any character names, where each company gets to create their own story. Not only is Connections a fantastic opportunity to see talented young people bring these new plays to our stage, but we also offer an exciting programme of workshops led by professionals in the industry, open mic sessions and a chance to meet and be inspired by other creative young people.
The Shows Tuesday 10 April 7pm
Shadow Syndicate: [Blank] Derby Youth Theatre: [Blank]
Wednesday 11 April 7pm
Curve Theatre: The Changing Room Tiptoe School of Performing Arts: These Bridges
Thursday 12 April 7pm Bilborough College: The Changing Room
New Vic Theatre: These Bridges
Friday 13 April 7pm
CAST Ensemble: When They Go Low Derby Youth Theatre: [Blank]
Saturday 14 April 7pm
NCN: When They Go Low Flying High: Ceasefire Babies
Turn over for prices
[Blank] by Alice Birch
These Bridges by Phoebe Éclair Powell
Recommended for ages 14+
Recommended for ages 11+
A play about adults and children impacted by the criminal justice system... except the adults aren’t really around. A series of 50 scenes - some of which may feel connected, others less so. It’s about what life is like when the adult generation feels absent from it. One of the companies performing [Blank] will be Derby Youth Theatre, Derby Theatre’s resident company of young actors who presented Laura Lomas’ The Blue Road in 2017.
When the Thames bursts its banks and submerges London, the north and the south of the city become separated. Myths abound about ‘the other side’ – is it really better? Four sets of teenagers ignore the risks of the treacherous crossing, to find out whether the other side is all it’s cracked up to be. The drowned commuters of the Circle Line conjure memories of the past. These Bridges looks at a fearful future and seeks to show that if we stick together, we may just survive it all.
Alice Birch – Why I Wrote this Play: I was interested in writing a piece of theatre that gives as much control over to companies as possible, whilst still remaining a robust piece of theatrical writing. I’m interested in the often cyclical nature of violence and incarceration, particularly around women in prison, and children who are inevitably left behind – the unacknowledged victims of crime.
Phoebe Éclair Powell – Why I Wrote this Play: Every time I cross Waterloo Bridge I look out onto the big, bold Thames and make a wish. The river slithers across the city I call home, and love with all my heart. But pre- and now post- the Brexit referendum, I could tell we stood divided. I wanted to write about fear and hope; about the myths of the city and the teenagers who will hopefully save us all from a terrifying future by reminding us of how to work together.
The Changing Room by Chris Bush Recommended for ages 11+
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. Chris Bush – Why I Wrote this Play: In writing this piece I’m trying to capture something of the hormonal rush and sensory overload of adolescence in all its messy and magical glory. While no two teenagers are the same, ultimately I wanted to show that this is an experience no-one goes through alone.
When They Go Low by Natalie Mitchell Recommended for ages 14+
Social media is in a frenzy over pictures of Sarah at a party on the weekend – no one knows quite what she got up to. When Miss Reef lectures the girls on taking more responsibility for their actions, Louise becomes enraged that the boys who took the pictures aren’t made accountable too. She wages war on the misogyny but when she threatens school stalwart Scott and his claim to the School Captain title, things get very nasty. A website appears, rating the girls on their appearance and shaming them for their actions. When They Go Low is about everyday feminism and the changing face of teenage sexuality in an online world. When they go low, we go high.
Natalie Mitchell – Why I Wrote this Play: When They Go Low was inspired by the true story of a group of teenage girls in Manchester who attempted to set up a feminist society at their school, and the backlash they experienced. The play asks questions about why the ‘F’ word is so inflammatory, how misogyny has become normalised, and why equality might feel emasculating to some people, without necessarily finding the answers.
Ceasefire Babies by Fiona Doyle Recommended for ages 14+
How do we form our allegiances and beliefs? Do we make our own decisions, or do we inherit them? Can a cycle of ideology and disagreement be broken? And who can take the first step? The annual bonfire preparations are underway; Mikey’s coming home from the Centre and his sister Jamie cannot wait. But there is change in the air and not everyone’s ready for it. Jamie wants to reignite her father and uncle’s old conflicts, but Mikey and their friends must decide whether to take hold of their own destinies, or allow the ghosts of the past to dictate their futures.
Fiona Doyle – Why I Wrote this Play: I’m interested in the nature of transgenerational trauma – how one generation passes trauma to another, causing unhealthy cycles of conflict and violence to continue. How is trauma inherited in the postconflict countries where peace is often fragile and tensions continue to lurk just beneath the surface, waiting for the opportunity to reignite?
Workshops and other exciting events… all on Saturday 14 April For ages 14 - 25
For ages 11 - 13 13.00 – 15.00: Clowning with Maison Foo Join Derby Theatre’s Associate Company Maison Foo for a workshop filled with mischief and mayhem as they bring their own twist on Clowning and Physical theatre. NB: Please leave your serious face at the door! 15.30 – 17.00: Masks with Nonsuch Join Nonsuch’s Artistic Director, Edward Boott, for a physical and fun workshop on masked performance. Through the session you’ll get the chance to explore the stock characters of Commedia dell’Arte, learn the basic principles of mask-work and develop your own masked performance.
For ages 11 - 25 11.00 – 12.30: Stage Combat with Ian Stapleton A practical introduction to the skills used by actors to create the illusion of combat; participants will get the chance to learn and practice new skills. Ian directs fight scenes for theatre companies all over the country. 13.00 - 14.00: Meet Derby Theatre’s Ambassadors (limited capacity, book in advance) Wondering what to do over lunch before your next workshop? Why not come and meet Derby Theatre’s Ambassadors – a free session, a group of young people who meet regularly with our marketing and learning teams to help programme events for young people, promote and see shows and write reviews and blogs. A great chance to find out about opportunities to get involved with work behind the scenes, and to be inspired by young people who are making a difference.
10.00 – 12.00: Script Writing with Nathan Lucky Wood Learn about the importance of ritual in playwriting and have a go at writing your own short scene, to be performed by professional actors in front of an audience at 6pm, before the evening’s double bill. 11.00 – 12.30: Stage Combat with Ian Stapleton A practical introduction to the skills used by actors to create the illusion of combat; participants will get the chance to learn and practice new skills. Ian directs fight scenes for theatre companies all over the country. 11.00 - 12.30: Introduction to Lighting Design An introduction to the role of a Lighting Designer will include: how it is a combined creative and technical role, opportunity to analyse images to see how theatrical lighting effects can be created, designing lighting effects to complement a play/production plus a practical exercise in lighting design. 13.00 - 14.00: Meet Derby Theatre’s Ambassadors For more information refer to: For ages 11 - 25 14.00 – 17.00: Physical Theatre with Gecko Following the success of their recent show ‘The Wedding’, Gecko are coming back to Derby Theatre to give a practical introduction to physical theatre and an insight into their devising process.
New Writing by Young People – FREE performance 18.00 – 19.00 (Suitable for age 14+) Three professional actors will perform the short scripts written by 14–25 year olds in the morning’s workshop with Nathan Lucky Wood. Come and see the performances for free, before the evening’s double bill.
We recommend wearing comfortable clothing and bringing a bottle of water to all workshops
Prices Plays: £8 (£4 for 25 years and under) Multibuy deal: Buy a full price ticket and get any further shows for half price. £4 a show (£2 a show for 25 years and under) Workshops: £4.50 (£4 each if 2 or more booked)
For more information and to book your place: derbytheatre.co.uk | 01332 59 39 39 Snapchat Derby Theatre twitter @derbytheatre
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Connections is supported by: The Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Buffini Chao Foundation, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Jacqueline and Richard Worswick, Mactaggart Third Fund, The EBM Charitable Trust, Samantha and Richard Campbell-Breeden, The Garvey Family Trust, Susan Miller and Byron Grote, Anthony P. Skyrme, The Derrill Allatt Foundation, Hays Travel Foundation, Faithorn Farrell Timms and supporters of the Connections Appeal