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Second Wave of Talent for 20 Sept Announced

Posted 17 Aug 2026

Today we're announcing the second wave of stars performing at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall in Letters to My Younger Future Self on Sunday 20 September, National Youth Theatre's 70th Anniversary celebration supported by Netflix.

  • Chart-topper Sophie Ellis-Bextor, BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes), leading Dramatist James Graham (Dear England), Daniel Ings (The Gentleman), Calam Lynch (Rings of Power), Fay Ripley (Cold Feet), Rhea Norwood (Heartstopper) and Megan Bolton (TikTok Comedian) join the lineup of performers with more letters written by NYT Patron Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joanna Lumley, Dame Joan Collins, Richard E. Grant and Matt Lucas.

  • They join 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.)

  • Tickets on sale now at nyt.org.uk/letters with proceeds benefitting the national charity in its 70th anniversary year
    Read more in an exclusive in Variety

NYT patron Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: “I’m proud to be a Patron of the National Youth Theatre, which gave me a great confidence boost as a young person and continues to do the same for thousands of young performers around the country.”

Wokoma added: “NYT shaped everything for me… I learned how to be a good company member and it’s absolutely one of my strengths as an actor and writer. It’s the way you learn and grow and surprise yourself.”

Ings said: “A lot of the people I’m closest to today are friends I made at NYT, and it shaped the way I approach acting and being part of a company. That being said, I have a lot to say to my younger self, so I can’t wait to be back with the NYT this September for a night to remember.”

Lynch added: “I’m looking forward to returning to my NYT roots for a special evening celebrating seventy years of youth theatre.”

Bolton said: “NYT is where I started my performing journey and is a company that means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to joining some amazing talent on stage for an evening to remember.”

What would you say to your younger / future self? Some of Britain’s biggest stars, who are keen to share all, take the iconic Royal Festival Hall stage with hilarious stories, dark secrets and sage advice alongside the brightest talent from a new generation of storytellers supported by Netflix. www.nyt.org.uk/letters Tickets from £26 Join us for an evening of candid letters from leading voices brought to life through spoken word, movement and song in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. 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. On Sunday 20th September a dazzling array of creatives representing seven generations of stand-out talent will gather under the creative direction of CEO and Artistic Director Paul Roseby OBE for a truly unique evening of entertainment supported by Netflix.

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