From Friday 2 – Sunday 4 May 2025, Derby Theatre will host an exciting lineup of performances, showcasing talent from a range of young theatre companies. Audiences can enjoy No Regrets by Gary McNair, performed by both Burton and South Derbyshire College and Flying High Young Company, Saba’s Swim by Danusia Samal, presented by Sidney Stringer Actors, Ravers by Rikki Beadle-Blair, performed by Inspire Performing Arts, and YOU 2.0 by Alys Metcalf, brought to life by Derby Youth Theatre. Adding to the festival atmosphere, on Friday 2 May, audiences are invited to a special Festival Party. After the show, head to the Upper Foyer for an Open Mic Night, where young artists will take the stage with music, comedy, spoken word, and more!
Derby Theatre is one of 33 theatres across the UK joining this year’s celebrations with over 5,500 young people from 275 companies and schools having the chance to perform on professional stages. As headline partner for the Connections programme, BNP Paribas aims to make art accessible to all young people across the UK through their BNP Paribas AccessArt25 programme. Regional festivals will take place at partner theatres nationwide from 12 March – 12 May, culminating in a festival at the National Theatre in June.
To celebrate the vast range of talent on display nationwide this spring, ten youth theatre groups will be invited to perform their version of one of this year’s plays at the National Theatre from 24-28 June, reopening its Dorfman stage. The Connections Festival will spotlight the power of youth theatre nationwide by bringing groups together for a final celebratory moment of the anniversary year.
Over 125,000 young people nationwide have taken part in Connections over the past three decades, giving young people firsthand experience in all aspects of staging and performing a new play. Esteemed alumni include David Oyelowo, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Callum Scott Howells and Keira Knightley. Each year ten new plays are commissioned that explore contemporary themes relevant to young people, creating a cannon of over 235 scripts specifically for young people to perform. Previous playwrights include Alice Birch, Chris Bush, James Graham and Lenny Henry. Connections also takes place internationally, with festivals being hosted in seven countries spanning three continents.
Kirsten Adam, Head of Young People’s Programmes at the National Theatre, said, “We are delighted to be celebrating the landmark 30th anniversary of National Theatre Connections with theatres across the UK. Whether this is the first rung on the ladder to a glittering career on the stage, or the mechanism that builds confidence in a young person to go on and embrace challenges later in life, youth theatre is the foundation that allows young people to flourish and develop. We can’t wait to witness the talent and creativity that these groups will bring both on and off stage this Spring”.
For more information about Connections 2025, visit the National Theatre Website.
TICKETS AND MORE INFO
Standard tickets £10, Under 26s £8. Places can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01332 593939 or online at www.derbytheatre.co.uk
For more information and NT Connections updates, visit the Derby Theatre website here: NT Connections Festival 2025 – Derby Theatre or follow us on social media (Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube – @derbytheatre).