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NationalTheatre connections Festival 2011
The Pied Piper re-imagined; the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda; witches in 17th century Norfolk; a giant baby on the rampage; an extraordinary day in an ordinary school...
Ten new plays have been commissioned by the National Theatre from some of today's most exciting writers. Now, young theatre companies, including local youth theatre groups, schools and colleges, perform them for the first time in what promises to be a lively, thrilling and inspiring event.
Wednesday 27 & Thursday 28 April
Tuesday 3 & Wednesday 4 May
3pm & 7pm at Norwich Playhouse
5pm & 8.30pm at The Garage
Tickets: £2.50
BOX OFFICE 01603 598598
Running time: approx 60 minutes per play
Recommended age: 13+
For a full programme see www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/connections
or http://www.thegarage.org.uk/whats-on.html?type=Shows
National Theatre Connections is produced by the National Theatre's Discover Programme and supported by Arts Council England and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Each year new plays are commissioned for and about young people from some of the best contemporary playwrights, for performance by 200 schools and youth theatres from all over the UK and Ireland, making National Theatre Connections one of the world's largest celebrations of youth theatre.
The ten plays for the 2011 Festival have been written by: Samuel Adamson, Alia Bano, Helen Blakeman, Noel Clarke, Molly Davies, James Graham, Carl Grose, Katori Hall, Nell Leyshon and Douglas Maxwell.
Through work with young people from all over the UK, from the Shetland Isles to Plymouth, the Connections writers have created a series of plays that reflect the ideas, concerns and views of young people today.
From 27th - 28th April and 3rd - 4th May, 14 local groups will bring all of these exciting new plays to life at The Garage and The Norwich Playhouse.
National Theatre Connections culminates at a celebratory Festival from 298 June to 4 July at the National Theatre in London, where ten companies will be invited to perform. All ten plays will be published in an anthology by Methuen, which will be widely available in bookshops across the UK.
Alice King-Farlow, Director of the Discover Programmme at the National Theatre, said: "National Theatre Connections is the National Theatre's flagship programme for young people and very much a highlight of our year. We continue to be inspired by the energy and creativity the young people invest in their productions and ever grateful to Bank of America Merrill Lynch for their continued support."
For further information, contact Mel at takepart@thegarage.org.uk or
Becky Sayer, National Theatre: 020 7452 3233 bsayer@nationaltheatre.org.uk
