Plymouth schools shine at Theatre Royal

Pupils join national project

Several Plymouth schools will take to the spotlight this week at the Theatre Royal, one of Devon's biggest theatres.

This opportunity is part of the National Theatre's Connections Festival - a week-long schedule of commissioned plays performed by young talent and creatives aged 13 to 19.

Each piece is a new play written by rising writers and producers that reflects trending issues among the age group. 

Plympton Academy will take to the Drum stage tonight [30 April], followed by Lipson Co-operative Academy and Coombe Dean School tomorrow [1 May]. 

The Theatre Royal Plymouth's (TRP) Young Company will also perform on Saturday [3 April].

Five other schools across Cornwall will also be taking part.

Following the Festival, ten groups from across the UK will be invited to perform their show at the prestigious National Theatre in London.

Now in its 30th year, the event allows young talent and creatives to shine on some of the country's biggest stages.

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. 

More details can be found here.