First wave of talent announced for special 70th Anniversary Royal Festival Hall Event
NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF STARS OF STAGE AND SCREEN FOR LETTERS TO MY YOUNGER FUTURE SELF
Supported by Netflix
Sunday 20 September at the Royal Festival Hall
In celebration of 70 years of the world's first youth theatre
Book Tickets from £26
Stars of stage and screen will return to their NYT roots for a one night only staged performance, Letters to My Younger Future Self, on Sun 20 September at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall supported by Netflix.
First wave of NYT alumni and supporters include BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar (Four Lions), India Amarteifio (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story), Fehinti Balogun (Down Cemetery Road), Jessica Henwick (Game of Thrones), Rob Rinder (Judge Rinder), Takunda Muzondiwa (Roundhouse Poetry Slam winner 2026) and Jack Thorne (Adolescence.)
Letters penned by legends of stage and screen include Dame Judi Dench (Skyfall) and Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die) with further appearances and letters by British stars of stage and screen to be announced soon. Find out more
NYT Patron Adeel Akhtar said: “I came up through National Youth Theatre and it was a really, really important step in me being where I am now. I’m looking forward to being back with my friends from NYT for a special evening”
NYT President Barbara Broccoli CBE said: “ The National Youth Theatre’s Letters To My Younger Future Self at Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall promises to be a very special evening of entertainment celebrating the 70th anniversary of the world’s first youth theatre. We are assembling an exciting line-up of Britain’s brightest young talent to perform alongside NYT alumni, the UK's leading actors across television, film and theatre”.
Emmy winning Adolescence co-creator and alumnus Jack Thorne said: “I love the NYT. I had the time of my life there and watching what they did with Let The Right One In recently was just thrilling. I loved acting as a kid, and my dad brought me to London to audition for the courses they ran. He actually bought me three times, because I failed to get in the first two. But once inside it was like being welcomed to the best club. I was surrounded by ambition and talent. I quickly realised I wasn't good enough to be an actor, but it fired me with a desperation to find another way to get into the rehearsal room.”
Bridgerton’s India Amarteifio said: “Happy to be supporting NYT at The Royal Festival Hall in September. An important place for young people to hone their skills from across the country and without socio-economic exemption. Just art!”
Game of Thrones Star Jessica Henwick said: “National Youth Theatre was a key step on the road to where I am today. I'm pleased to support the next generation on their journey into the industry”
Letters to My Younger Future Self is supported by Netflix, who since 2023 have partnered with National Youth Theatre to create over 4,000 free opportunities to inspire the next generation of behind-the-scenes talent into creative careers.
60% of Britain’s biggest screen stars started on stage and the NYT is renowned globally for being a creative home for many of the best. Its illustrious alumni include performers from Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren and Adeel Akhtar, to Andrea Riseborough, Matt Smith, Regé‑Jean Page and Susan Wokoma. Dramatists who got an early break with the leading youth arts charity include Jack Thorne, James Graham, Miriam Battye, Lennie James and Sarah Solemani. Not to mention comedians Tom Allen and Joel Dommett and musicians Ed Sheeran and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
National Youth Theatre are very grateful to headline event supporter Netflix, Arts Council England and EON Productions for their support of Letters to My Younger Future Self.
