The annual season of exciting new plays for young actors returns. Thousands of young people across the country work both on stage and behind the scenes to create productions of brand new plays specifically commissioned for them by the National Theatre.

This year, all twelve plays have a recurring theme familiar to all young people: the forging of first friendships. At the heart of each play beats the human dilemma faced when trying to make a new connection with another person.

Tue 5 May, 6.30pm, De Ferrers Technology College
Blackout
By Davey Anderson
A 20-minute verbatim play about a young man’s entanglement with the criminal justice system.

Tue 5 May, 8.15pm, Ashton on Mersey School
Dirty Dirty Princess
By Georgia Fitch
13 year old Stacey has a secret: a play about consequences of silence and jealousy.

Wed 6 May, 6.30pm, Peshkar
Vikings & Darwin
By David Mamet
When is aggression morally acceptable?

Wed 6 May, 8.15pm, St Monica’s RC High School
The Dummy Tree
By Conor Mitchell
A fairytale musical in which a 17 year old meets his mother on his wedding day.

Thu 7 May, 6.30pm, The Blue Coat School
Success
By Nick Drake
An ambitious city boy wants to make his first £1m before he’s 21: a metropolitan tale of luck, money, values, false friends and true love.

Thu 7 May, 8.15pm, Chorlton High School
A Handbag
By Anthony Horowitz A comedy about survival set during a dress rehearsal of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Fri 8 May, 6.30pm, The Kings School
Vikings & Darwin
By David Mamet
When is aggression morally acceptable?

Fri 8 May, 8.15pm, St Aelreds RC High School
Success
By Nick Drake
An ambitious city boy wants to make his first £1m before he’s 21: a metropolitan tale of luck, money, values, false friends and true love.

Sat 9 May, 4.30pm, Ysgol Aberconwy
The Things She Sees
By Ben Power based on the novel by Charles Boyle
A visually led piece about a 13 year old girl who predicts future events by drawing them.

Sat 9 May, 6.30pm, Little Actors Youth Theatre
A Handbag
By Anthony Horowitz
A comedy about survival set during a dress rehearsal of The Importance of Being Earnest.

Sat 9 May, 8.15pm, Longley Park Sixth Form College
The Heights
By Lisa McGee
A thriller exploring the power of the imagination and the blurring of fact and fiction.

View our gallery of stills here.