InterACT Youth Theatre Performance Company
InterACT Youth Theatre Age 13+ (year 8-13)
LOCKDOWN PROJECT 2020
During the lockdown period our young actors InterACT Youth theatre worked on and produced a piece that we are sure resonated with people young or old during this pandemic. We are delighted to share with you the finished lock down film. It is a record of our time working with some amazing young people and their reflections on Coronavirus.
Lockdown Film 2020
Thanks to Mike Lockely for all the incredible effort he put in above and beyond the call of duty.
We are very proud of the cast and how the staff adapted to a new way of working, totally out of the blue and off the cuff. Boy did we actors learn a lot of new skills along the way.
Little Actors Theatre supports the independent InterACT Youth Theatre in Neston. This group is run by professional actors and participates in the National Theatre’s Connections Programme . The group specialises in new writing for young people and focuses on a more detailed approach to production techniques, drama, text work, improvisation and voice production.
Interact Youth Theatre’s access for all policy encourages young people to take advantage of the professionally led performance opportunities and offer concessions for low income families.
The National Theatre Comes to Neston: InterACT Youth Theatre Joins an Exclusive Development Workshop
On the 5th of November, InterACT Youth Theatre welcomed an extraordinary creative partnership that brought the National Theatre directly to Neston. Following the half-term break, our young performers took part in a special three-hour rehearsal workshop with National Theatre artists and Olivier Award-winning playwright Michael Wynne — a unique opportunity rarely offered outside London.
This remarkable session formed part of the development process for a brand-new play being created for next year’s National Theatre Connections festival. InterACT were selected to help workshop the script while it is still in its early stages — giving our young actors a firsthand look at how professional theatre is made.
The workshop was led by:
- Ola Animashawun, National Theatre Dramaturg and founder of the Royal Court’s Young Writers’ Programme, and
- Ellie Hurt, a prominent theatre director working closely with the National Theatre.
Together, they guided the group through a wide range of professional theatre exercises, including, high-energy drama games used in NT rehearsals, a full table read of Michael Wynne’s new script, and early staging to test how the material works in performance
The young people were encouraged to give feedback, explore characters, and help shape the developing world of the play — making them collaborators in its evolution.
For many of our participants, this workshop was their first time working directly with a major national organisation at this scale. It offered insights the process that goes into creating a finished script with the numerous drafts and workshopping that goes into the finished product. This opportunity not only boosted their confidence but also expanded their understanding of the industry and the work that goes into professional theatre-making.
InterACT Youth Theatre has a long-standing relationship with National Theatre Connections, but being involved at the script development stage represents a significant achievement for the group. It highlights the quality, commitment, and creativity of local young people — and demonstrates how high-calibre training and opportunities can thrive in community arts settings. We are incredibly proud of our performers for embracing the challenge with enthusiasm, professionalism, and imagination.
Current Production:
2026: National Theatre Connections - Sycamore Gap by Al Smith
This current production is a play inspired by the real-life event of the Sycamore Gap tree — also known as the Robin Hood Tree — near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, which was cut down in September 2023.
The story follows a group of teenagers who gather to uncover who is responsible. Each has a motive, an alibi, and a secret they would rather keep hidden. As accusations mount and friendships fracture, the truth about the tree — and about themselves — begins to surface.
Al Smith’s Sycamore Gap is a sharp, funny, and moving story about grief, guilt, activism, and the power of community voices. It also serves as a powerful social commentary on some of the most pressing issues facing the country today, including the environment and culture.
This year the productions is directed and produced by artistic director Samantha Giblin along with returning alumnus Joshua Stevens. The show will take place at Neston Town Hall on the 21st and 22nd of March before being moved to the proffessional venue Crewe Lyceum on the 27th of April.
Previous Productions
2025:National Theatre Connections - Ravers by Rikki Beadle-Blair
2024: Leverhulme Drama Festival - The Snow Dragons by Lizzie Nunnery
2023: National Theatre Connections - The Heights by Lisa McGee
2022: National Theatre Connections - Variations by Katie Hims
2021: Cheshire Commission - Reflextions - Covid related
2020: National Theatre Connections - The It by Vivienne Franzmann
2019: Storyhouse - Sparkleshark by Philip Ridley
2018: :National Theatre Connections - The Blue Electric Wind by Brad Birch
2017: :National Theatre Connections - The Snow Dragons by Lizzie Nunnery
2016 :National Theatre Connections - It Snows - Bryony Lavery and Frantic Assembly
2015: National Theatre Connections - The Accordion Shop by Cush Jumbo
2014: National Theatre Connections - The Wardrobe by Sam Holroyd
2013: National Theatre Connections - Don't Feed the Animals
2012: National Theatre Connections - 'Little Foot' By Craig Higginson
2011: National Theatre Connections - 'Gargantua' by Carl Grose
2010: Tara Arts - Macbeth by William Shakespeare
2009: National Theatre Connections - A Handbag by Anthony Horowitz
2008: National Theatre Connections - It Snows - Bryony Lavery and Frantic Assembly
The shows are directed and produced by Samantha Giblin.
New members are always welcome.
Venue and times: Neston Town Hall
Course Day Time
Youth Theatre Wednesday 5-7pm
Fees: A subscription is charged and all money is used to stage the shows. Discounts are available for low income families.
LOCKDOWN PROJECT 2020
During the lockdown period our young actors InterACT Youth theatre worked on and produced a piece that we are sure resonated with people young or old during this pandemic. We are delighted to share with you the finished lock down film. It is a record of our time working with some amazing young people and their reflections on Coronavirus.
Lockdown Film 2020
Thanks to Mike Lockely for all the incredible effort he put in above and beyond the call of duty.
We are very proud of the cast and how the staff adapted to a new way of working, totally out of the blue and off the cuff. Boy did we actors learn a lot of new skills along the way.
Little Actors Theatre supports the independent InterACT Youth Theatre in Neston. This group is run by professional actors and participates in the National Theatre’s Connections Programme . The group specialises in new writing for young people and focuses on a more detailed approach to production techniques, drama, text work, improvisation and voice production.
Interact Youth Theatre’s access for all policy encourages young people to take advantage of the professionally led performance opportunities and offer concessions for low income families.
The National Theatre Comes to Neston: InterACT Youth Theatre Joins an Exclusive Development Workshop
On the 5th of November, InterACT Youth Theatre welcomed an extraordinary creative partnership that brought the National Theatre directly to Neston. Following the half-term break, our young performers took part in a special three-hour rehearsal workshop with National Theatre artists and Olivier Award-winning playwright Michael Wynne — a unique opportunity rarely offered outside London.
This remarkable session formed part of the development process for a brand-new play being created for next year’s National Theatre Connections festival. InterACT were selected to help workshop the script while it is still in its early stages — giving our young actors a firsthand look at how professional theatre is made.
The workshop was led by:
- Ola Animashawun, National Theatre Dramaturg and founder of the Royal Court’s Young Writers’ Programme, and
- Ellie Hurt, a prominent theatre director working closely with the National Theatre.
Together, they guided the group through a wide range of professional theatre exercises, including, high-energy drama games used in NT rehearsals, a full table read of Michael Wynne’s new script, and early staging to test how the material works in performance
The young people were encouraged to give feedback, explore characters, and help shape the developing world of the play — making them collaborators in its evolution.
For many of our participants, this workshop was their first time working directly with a major national organisation at this scale. It offered insights the process that goes into creating a finished script with the numerous drafts and workshopping that goes into the finished product. This opportunity not only boosted their confidence but also expanded their understanding of the industry and the work that goes into professional theatre-making.
InterACT Youth Theatre has a long-standing relationship with National Theatre Connections, but being involved at the script development stage represents a significant achievement for the group. It highlights the quality, commitment, and creativity of local young people — and demonstrates how high-calibre training and opportunities can thrive in community arts settings. We are incredibly proud of our performers for embracing the challenge with enthusiasm, professionalism, and imagination.
Current Production:
2026: National Theatre Connections - Sycamore Gap by Al Smith
This current production is a play inspired by the real-life event of the Sycamore Gap tree — also known as the Robin Hood Tree — near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, which was cut down in September 2023.
The story follows a group of teenagers who gather to uncover who is responsible. Each has a motive, an alibi, and a secret they would rather keep hidden. As accusations mount and friendships fracture, the truth about the tree — and about themselves — begins to surface.
Al Smith’s Sycamore Gap is a sharp, funny, and moving story about grief, guilt, activism, and the power of community voices. It also serves as a powerful social commentary on some of the most pressing issues facing the country today, including the environment and culture.
This year the productions is directed and produced by artistic director Samantha Giblin along with returning alumnus Joshua Stevens. The show will take place at Neston Town Hall on the 21st and 22nd of March before being moved to the proffessional venue Crewe Lyceum on the 27th of April.
Previous Productions
2025:National Theatre Connections - Ravers by Rikki Beadle-Blair
2024: Leverhulme Drama Festival - The Snow Dragons by Lizzie Nunnery
2023: National Theatre Connections - The Heights by Lisa McGee
2022: National Theatre Connections - Variations by Katie Hims
2021: Cheshire Commission - Reflextions - Covid related
2020: National Theatre Connections - The It by Vivienne Franzmann
2019: Storyhouse - Sparkleshark by Philip Ridley
2018: :National Theatre Connections - The Blue Electric Wind by Brad Birch
2017: :National Theatre Connections - The Snow Dragons by Lizzie Nunnery
2016 :National Theatre Connections - It Snows - Bryony Lavery and Frantic Assembly
2015: National Theatre Connections - The Accordion Shop by Cush Jumbo
2014: National Theatre Connections - The Wardrobe by Sam Holroyd
2013: National Theatre Connections - Don't Feed the Animals
2012: National Theatre Connections - 'Little Foot' By Craig Higginson
2011: National Theatre Connections - 'Gargantua' by Carl Grose
2010: Tara Arts - Macbeth by William Shakespeare
2009: National Theatre Connections - A Handbag by Anthony Horowitz
2008: National Theatre Connections - It Snows - Bryony Lavery and Frantic Assembly
The shows are directed and produced by Samantha Giblin.
New members are always welcome.
Venue and times: Neston Town Hall
Course Day Time
Youth Theatre Wednesday 5-7pm
Fees: A subscription is charged and all money is used to stage the shows. Discounts are available for low income families.