National Theatre Connections 2024

Abi Zakarian is the author of six full-length plays including A Thousand Yards and Swifter, Higher, Stronger; she is one of the playwrights-in-residence for the Schoolwrights scheme in East London.

National Theatre Connections 2024 draws together ten new plays for young people to perform, from some of the UK's most exciting and popular playwrights. These are plays for a generation of theatre-makers who want to ask questions, challenge assertions and test the boundaries, and for those who love to invent and imagine a world of possibilities.The plays offer young performers an engaging and diverse range of material to perform, read or study. Touching on themes like trans-rights, the mental health crisis, colonial history, disability activism, and climate change, the collection provides topical, pressing subject matter for students to explore in their performance.This 2024 anthology represents the full set of ten plays offered by the National Theatre 2024 Festival (eight brand-new plays, and two returning favourites), as well as comprehensive workshop notes that give insights and inspiration for building characters, running rehearsals and staging a production.

Connections Producer IntroductionIntroduction by Ola AnimashawunConnections 2024 SynopsesAge is Revolting by Abi ZakarianCast size: flexible, with a suggested minimum cast size of eight; Recommended for ages 14+Shout by Alexis ZegermanCast size: minimum of eight; Recommended for ages 15+Orchestra by Charlie JosephineCast size: minimum of seven, no maximum; Recommended for ages 13+Dy Enw Marw / Your Name is Dead by Elgan Rhys, in collaboration with Leo DraytonCast size: Flexible cast size, with 30 named characters; Recommended for ages 13+Kiss / Marry / Push off Cliff by Josh AzouzCast size: nine; Suitable for all agesThe Periodicals by Sian OwenCast size: 14; Recommended for ages 14+Replica by Titas HalderCast size: twenty-one characters, recommended minimum cast size of twelve; Recommended for ages 16+The Sad Club by Luke Barnes, with music by Adam PleethCast size: minimum of 15; Recommended for ages 14+Wind/Rush Generation(s) by Mojisola AdebayoCast size: 14 named characters, minimum cast size of eight; Recommended for ages 13+Back in the Day by Yasmeen KhanCast size: 9 - 50, any gender; Suitable for all age