Young theatre talents are set to be celebrated this week as they perform on the Swan Theatre stage.

Worcester Theatres is welcoming eight community youth theatre groups for the annual National Theatre Connections Festival.

Between Tuesday 2 and Thursday April 4, the theatre will be the stage for performances from Tribe Theatre, Bournside School, Taunton Brewhouse, Perfect Circle Youth Theatre, Core Principles, Worcester Youth Theatremakers, The Loft Arts, and Worcester Theatres' own Young Rep company.

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Now in its 29th year, the National Theatre Connections Festival is a UK-wide competition championing the talent of young people aged 13-19.

Over 7,500 participants will have the opportunity to perform at one of 33 partner theatres across the country, including the Swan Theatre.

The festival commissions ten new plays each year from the National Theatre, designed specifically for young performers and exploring important issues like mental health, neurodiversity, and cancel culture.

The final stage of the festival invites selected groups to perform their adaptation of one of the commissioned plays at the National Theatre in London from Tuesday 25 to Saturday, June 29.

Owen Harper, creative producer and young rep artistic director, said: "The Worcester Theatres team and I are excited to be hosting eight amazing productions at the Swan Theatre, all created with, by and for young people.

"It’s going to be three days of laughter, fun, and theatre.

"The groups will also be given the chance to develop their skills during a series of workshops hosted by arts organisations, including Vamos Theatre, Crave Arts and local independent creatives.

"We can’t wait to get everyone involved in the fully packed schedule we have planned."

Kirsten Adam, head of young people's programmes at the National Theatre, said: "We are so excited to be working with Worcester Theatres for this coming year of National Theatre Connections as they host performances from 8 of their talented local groups.

"National Theatre Connections champions the talent of young people from across the UK and we cannot wait to see the imagination and creativity of young people nationwide develop through Connections this coming year."

Tickets for each performance or a pass for all the day's shows are available.