Connections 2025 – National Theatre, Waterloo

Reviewer: Christine Stanton

Connections is National Theatre’s annual, nationwide youth theatre festival, now celebrating its 30^th year. Featuring 10 productions, across five days in the newly refurbished Dorfman Theatre, it is a fantastic way of championing young talent across the UK.

Fresh Air – Central Foundation Boys’ School, London
Writer: Vickie Donoghue
Director: Emilie Dobson

When students from a pupil referral group are forced to go orienteering in the woods – it’s their worst nightmare, and that’s even before they learn that the woods are haunted by the ghosts of children from the past. Equipped with a map and a compass, they set off in the hopes of finishing first and making their families proud of their behaviour for once.

Vickie Donoghue’s strong character driven script is brilliantly crafted and allows each of the talented young cast to shine within their individual segments. Considering it consists of such a large ensemble cast, there is still a balanced, poignant focus on each of the students’ backgrounds and life circumstances that have landed them into the referral group. From anxiety, being a young carer, OCD and living up to parental expectations, each character has their own individual struggle, which the cast convey fantastically; with a perfect balance of humour and emotion.

Focus is also given to the ghost children that roam the woods, whose measured movements and creepy facial expressions bring a wonderful eeriness to the production. But they also have a poignancy about their past – they miss their families, the lives they left behind and the issues that troubled them while alive are all explored with the same depth and honesty that is woven throughout the narrative. A strong story, performed by an impressive young cast.

Ravers – HOME Young Company, Manchester
Writer: Rikki Beadle-Blair
Director: Sam Beagley

Fed up of boozy parties held by the popular crowd, the self-confessed neeks make it their mission to hold a dry rave in a local car park. Initially it was only supposed to be for those that felt left out of the ‘cool kid’ activities, but after causing quite the stir on social media, everyone wants a chance to get involved – sneaking drinks in and doing their best to pretend they’re an outsider, just to get their ticket into the most talked about event of the year.

Rikki Beadle-Blair’s storyline is slight, focusing on multiple similar conversations about going to the party, rejecting the mainstream and yet also wanting to fit in and conform. Running at around 85 minutes long, it doesn’t have enough material to warrant the lengthy production, but the HOME Young Company still manage to ensure that the energy remains high from beginning to end. Each of the groups are shown separately preparing and discussing the impeding party, which allows each cast member to showcase their talents both individually and as a group.

The production also features a multitude of fun, enthusiastic dance sequences as the group rave together to various songs, including live music performances also. The lighting and sound completely help to immerse the audience into the rave atmosphere, and shows the cast completely enjoying their moment in the spotlight.

Runs until 28^th June 2025