The National Youth Theatre today announces its 2019 Summer and Autumn Season which will feature an extended 7th annual REP season of three plays in London.
The 2019 summer and autumn programme includes an extended REP season which will see the most performances ever in a season. With themes of science and technology running throughout, this REP season will feature an Artificial Intelligence-inspired production of Mary Shelley’s gothic story Frankenstein, adapted by Carl Miller and directed by Emily Gray, Artistic Director of Trestle Theatre, and Great Expectations, adapted by Neil Bartlett and directed by the 2019 Bryan Forbes Bursary Director at Southwark Playhouse from 18 October – 30 November. The REP Company will then perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream, at the Criterion Theatre directed by Matt Harrison working in association with Kneehigh and abridged by Kate Kennedy running from 6 December to 17 January.
The production of Frankenstein will be accompanied by a free AI Digital Installation, created in partnership with immersive content studio Megaverse. This year all NYT REP productions will include a relaxed performance as part of the NYT’s wider Inclusion Programme, which aims to make the charity accessible to young people, artists and audiences with disabilities. All three productions are set-texts and with schools tickets from £15 and free Q&As and educational resource packs the NYT REP aims to offer affordable access to live theatre for school groups, against a backdrop of declining drama in schools. The 2019 Rep cast will be announced in due course and 50% of the company of 16 are actors of colour, continuing the initiatives commitment to discovering Britain’s best diverse young talent.
The NYT REP is inspired by the traditional repertory theatre model and was set up by Paul Roseby in 2012 to provide a much-needed free alternative to expensive formal training whilst embracing the best and diverse young talent to work with leading institutions culminating in three productions in London theatres. Last year’s REP cast included Oseloka Obi who is now appearing in The Son at Kiln Theatre, Isabel Adomakoh Young who has since performed in Venice Preserved with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Dear Elizabeth at The Gate Theatre, Laurie Ogden will appear in Napoli, Brooklyn at the Park Theatre, Jeffery Sangalang who has appeared in the award-winning Boys and Alice Vilanculo in Bottled; both at Vault Festival. Previous REP alumni also include: Kwami Odoom who will appear in The Half God of Rainfall at The Kiln, Hannah Morrish who has just been nominated for an Ian Charleston award, Seraphina Beh who will appear in the new series of Netflix’s Top Boy and Sope Dirisu, who will star as a lead in Gangs of London for Sky Atlantic.
