Connections Festival 2024
In July 2023, we were accepted onto our very first National Theatre Connections Festival 2024. Our directors were sent 10 brand new plays to read before submitting their top 2 choices for our Young Company to perform. We were given Age is Revolting by Abi Zakarian and after a super inspiring Director's weekend at the National Theatre, rehearsals began!
Connections 2024 was funded with support from The Fowler Smith and Jones Trust and The ROSCA Trust. ​
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"I enjoyed being there and coming out of my shell and being more extroverted"
FROM SOUTHEND...
Our Young Company performed their debut performance of Age is Revolting at the Clifftown Theatre in Southend before transferring to the Garage Theatre in Norwich.
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For many of our young people, it was their first time performing in a professional theatre. The camaraderie amongst the company was something special and the group were elated from their accomplishments. We were proud of every single one of them!
About the play
Age is Revolting
by Abi Zakarian
Choir is for mad old people, right?
When a group of school kids rebel against their boring music lesson they hit the wrong note and magically transform into their 80 year-old selves… and now live in a care home.
Suddenly age, and their understanding of it, feels very relevant as they begin to confusedly navigate their way back to the present; no longer older, but maybe just a little wiser.
"I liked meeting and working with new people."
...To Norwich...
With set, props and costumes in tow, our Young Company set off in a mini van for their second performance at the Garage in Norwich. ​The day started with a workshop run by the theatre before going into a tech rehearsal. With a tight turn around, they performed the play for the final time to Norwich audiences, friends and family.
Meeting the other company who were performing, they shared a pizza dinner together before watching the second show of the day. It was then a final pack up of the van and off we went back to Southend!
"I enjoyed meeting the other companies and the theatre spaces."
...TO LONDON!
In June, we were invited to the Dorfman Theatre to watch the theatre group who was selected to perform Age is Revolting at the final Festival at the National Theatre.
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We took our Young Company up to London on the train to watch the play which was excellent and ended in a live band performing Sweet Child of Mine!