TALENTED young actors from Ilkley took to the stage at York Theatre Royal as part of the National Theatre Connections scheme 2019.

The NT Connections is one of the world’s largest celebrations of youth theatre working with up to 260 youth theatres and schools each year. It sees the National Theatre commission ten new plays by established playwrights. The plays are written about teenagers, and for teenage actors. Each participating company is allocated one of these to direct and present at their own venue, followed by a guest performance at a major local theatre, in Ilkley’s case York Theatre Royal.

The production was Chaos by Laura Lomas and was directed by Ilkley Playhouse’s Greenroom Tutors Andrew Leggott and Lisa Debney. It was presented at Ilkley in the Wildman Studio for three nights and at York Theatre Royal Studio Theatre.

Andrew said: “The timing of the event precludes participation by students in Year 11 and Year 13, because of their exams, so we advertised to supplement our remaining Greenroom members, and ended up with a team composed half of them and half of teenagers new to the society, 22 in all.

“Out of over 250 productions nationwide, just ten (one representative of each of the plays) are then selected to perform at the National Theatre, on the South Bank, in June. Unfortunately we did not make the cut, the honours going to Glasgow Acting Academy. This however in no way diminishes the rewards reaped from our participation, and the memory of our superb presentation in York in particular.”

Cast member Jessica Button who appeared at the York Theatre said: “The play overall ran very smoothly and every single cast member without a doubt did absolutely incredibly and the whole experience has been amazing. I would love to get this kind of opportunity again so if you know anybody who runs a local drama group or is in one or you run one yourself, get yourselves signed up for NT Connections 2020 because I can promise you will not regret it. Thank you to the cast, crew, directors and everybody who helped or was involved who made this all happen and be the best experience, you’re all wonderful.”