South West schools take to Theatre Royal stage for milestone National Theatre showcase

Ten local schools, colleges and theatre groups from across the South West, including five from Devon, will be performing at Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) next week as part of the National Theatre (NT) Connections Festival. 

The NT Connections Festival, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, showcases the talent of thousands of young people aged 13-19 from across the country. TRP is one of 33 regional partner theatres hosting a week-long schedule of shows which will take place in The Drum 29 April – 03 May. The line-up includes Plympton Academy Company, Lipson Co-operative Academy, Coombe Dean School, Atlantic Coast Theatre Co. and TRP’s Young Company from Devon, plus The Mullion Collective, Callywith College, Fowey River Academy, Bodmin College and Penzance Young People’s Theatre from Cornwall.

In total, 5,500 young people from over 270 companies and schools will take part this year, each performing one of ten plays that have been commissioned by NT Connections. The shows explore the key issues impacting young people and, as well as performing on stage, support in all other aspects of theatre making including costume, lighting, tech and set design.

Following the Festival, ten groups from across the UK will be invited to perform their show at the prestigious National Theatre. Last year, Plympton Academy were one of the chosen ten and performed their play, The Periodicals, in London in front of a paying audience.

Janette Owen, NT Connections Project Manager at Theatre Royal Plymouth, said: “Plympton Academy did amazingly well to be selected out of 250 groups across the country and did Theatre Royal Plymouth and the South West proud.

“We’re so happy that they’re back again for 2025 and will be performing among such a fabulous line-up. The plays this year, are of such high calibre and the young people have put so much effort into bringing them to life. We can’t wait for audiences to be able to enjoy the shows.”

Tickets for all performances in The Drum are available now and cost £8. For more information about the National Theatre Connections Festival at TRP and to book tickets, visit https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/connections-festival/.

The 2025 Connections Festival plays are: 

Tues 29 Apr

Atlantic Coast Theatre Co. Performing: No Regrets 

The Mullion Collective Performing: Brain Play

Wed 30 Apr

Callywith College Performing: Ravers 

Plympton Academy Company Performing: Saba’s Swim

Thu 01 May

Lipson Co-operative Academy Performing: Saba’s swim 

Coombe Dean School Performing: Fresh Air

Fri 02 May

Fowey River Academy Performing: Brain Play 

Bodmin College Performing: Fresh Air

Sat 03 May

Penzance Young People’s Theatre Performing: You 2.0 

TRP Young Company Performing: No Regrets