Derby Theatre to host National Theatre's Connections Festival for the East Midlands.

Kirsty Corbett spoke with Harry Kingscott, the Young Artist & Participant Producer at Derby Theatre about being the host of the Connections Festival in the East Midlands, for the National Theatre. Kirsty was also able to catch up with Derby Theatre Youth Theatre cast member Evie (aged 15) from Chellaston about her role as “Cherry” in their upcoming Connections production of “Sycamore Gap”. She was also able to chat with two of Derby Theatre’s young Ambassadors – Hope (aged 17) from Stockbrook and Georgina (18) from Burton – who are working on both marketing and backstage for this year’s festival running from 23 – 26 April 2026.The National Theatre’s Connections festival is a nationwide youth theatre programme for ages 13–19 (up to 26 for additional needs), involving 250+ companies and 6,000+ young people across the UK every year. Participants perform new plays by leading writers, progressing from local shows to regional partner theatres, with selected groups reaching the Summer Festival finale. At Derby Theatre performers will include Inspire Coventry College, Burton & South Derbyshire College, Sydney Stringer Academy, Flying High and Allestree Woodlands as well as Derby Theatre’s youth theatre performing “Sycamore Gap.”🎟️ Tickets for all of the performances, as well as the workshops, are available from the Derby Theatre website.