Swan Theatre to Host National Theatre’s 2025 Connections Festival for 30th Anniversary Celebration
From Friday 11th to Sunday 13th April 2025, the Swan Theatre, Worcester
This year’s National Theatre Connections Festival sees Worcester Theatres celebrating the talent of local young performers aged 13-19, as ten groups from the Midlands take to the stage at the Swan Theatre.
From Friday 11th to Sunday 13th April, the Swan Theatre will welcome performances from SHS Acting Company, TDMS Collective, Stagedoor Learning, Halesowen College, Bournside Ensemble, Central Youth Theatre, Perfect Circle Youth Theatre, The Courtyard Youth Theatre, Evolve Performance Hub, and Worcester Theatres’ very own Young Rep company.
As one of 33 theatres across the UK participating in this year’s festival, the Swan Theatre is part of a nationwide celebration involving over 5,500 young people from 275 schools and theatre groups, all performing on professional stages. The festival is supported by BNP Paribas through its AccessArt25 programme, which aims to make theatre accessible to all young people across the UK. Regional festivals will take place at partner venues from 12th March – 12th May, culminating in a special event at the National Theatre in June.
To showcase the exceptional talent of young performers nationwide, ten youth theatre groups will be invited to stage their productions at the National Theatre’s Dorfman stage from 24th – 28th June, marking the festival’s grand finale. This landmark event will celebrate the power of youth theatre, uniting groups from across the country for a special anniversary performance.
Over the past 30 years, more than 125,000 young people have taken part in Connections, gaining hands-on experience in every aspect of staging and performing a new play. The festival has helped launch the careers of notable alumni including David Oyelowo, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Callum Scott Howells, and Keira Knightley. Each year, ten brand-new plays are commissioned, tackling contemporary themes relevant to young people. To date, over 235 original scripts have been created for youth performers, written by esteemed playwrights such as Alice Birch, Chris Bush, James Graham, and Lenny Henry. The festival also extends beyond the UK, with events held in seven countries across three continents.
With an exciting line-up of performances, this is a fantastic opportunity to support the next generation of theatre-makers. Tickets are available for individual performances, or you can purchase an ‘All Day Pass’ to experience everything on offer.
For more details, visit the Worcester Theatres website or contact the Box Office on 01905 611 427.