National Theatre Connections Festival 2026

Local young people aged 13–19 will take to the Northcott stage as part of this year’s National Theatre Connections programme, the National Theatre’s landmark annual nationwide youth theatre festival.

The Northcott is one of 33 theatres across the UK championing the voices and talent of local young people with over 5,000 participants from 270 companies and schools having the chance to perform on professional stages. Regional festivals will take place at partner theatres nationwide from 4 March to 4 May, with the groups performing at a local venue first.

To celebrate the vast range of talent on display nationwide this spring, eight youth theatre groups will be invited to perform their version of one of this year’s plays at the Connections Festival held at the Lowry, Salford from 25-28 June.