Worcester Theatres are excited to announce that National Theatre Connections Festival is returning to the Swan Theatre this March and April for three days of inspiring theatre performances. NT Connections Festival is an annual nationwide youth theatre festival, celebrating the creativity and talent of young people across the UK. With 2026 marking the festival’s 31st year, the programme has a proven track record of nurturing and empowering the next generation of theatre-makers. 

Worcester Theatres will be hosting NT Connections Festival 2026 from Monday 30 March to Wednesday 1 April. The Swan Theatre will welcome students from across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and the West Midlands to perform works from the Connections portfolio including Britney’s Lock by Alexandra Wood, Wildfire Road by Eve Leigh and Fishville by Afsaneh Gray, and many more.

Worcester Theatres is delighted to welcome student theatre groups from across the West Midlands including TDMS Collective, Bournside Theatre Ensemble, Found in the Forest Youth Theatre, Encore Arts, The Courtyard Youth Theatre, Evolve Performance Hub, Tribe Theatre, Perfect Circle Youth Theatre and Stagedoor Learning. WT Performance Hub BTEC students will also take to the stage with The Animals by Sean Buckley as part of the NT Connections Festival 2026.

Owen Harper, Community Producer at Worcester Theatres said, “Worcester Theatres is incredibly happy to host NT Connections again this year. It’s a fantastic opportunity that allows young people from across the country to take part in a programme that champions their creativity and passion for theatre. We can’t wait to see what they bring to our stages!”

Kirsten Adam, Head of Participation at the National Theatre said, "We are so excited to have Worcester Theatres taking part in this year’s National Theatre Connections, providing the opportunity for hundreds of young people from across the area to showcase their talents on their stage. 

Youth theatre is a foundation stone in young people's development, allowing them to build their understanding of the world and develop key skills such as confidence and self-expression. We cannot wait to see this year’s participants' imagination and creativity flourish during this year’s Connections festivals.”

Tickets for NT Connections Festival are £10.00 per show, or £5.00 for under 25’s, a festival day pass is priced at £15.00. To book tickets for NT Connections 2026 this year visit the Worcester Theatres website or contact the Box Office team on 01905 611427.