The U.K.’s National Youth Theatre has unveiled the first wave of stars joining “Letters to My Younger Future Self,” a one-night performance marking the organization’s 70th anniversary.
The show is set for Sept. 20 at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London and is supported by Netflix.
The lineup for the evening includes BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar alongside India Amarteifio (“Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”), Fehinti Balogun (“Down Cemetery Road”), Jessica Henwick (“Game of Thrones”), Rob Rinder (“Judge Rinder”), Sarah Solemani (“Bridget Jones’s Baby”), Takunda Muzondiwa and Jack Thorne (“Adolescence”), all NYT alumni or supporters set to share stories and advice at the event. Letters penned by Judi Dench (“Skyfall”) and Lashana Lynch (“No Time to Die”) will also feature, with further names to be revealed.
Paul Roseby, National Youth Theatre’s CEO and artistic director, is helming the production alongside director Josie Daxter. Krishna Istha and Sophie Ellerby handle dramaturgy duties, Will Duke is designing video, Prema Mehta is on lighting, Nicola Chang is composing sound and Matthew Wells is choreographing movement. Young people enrolled in Netflix and National Youth Theatre’s Ignite Your Creativity initiative will contribute across performance, production and broadcast roles for the show.
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Akhtar, an NYT patron, 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 added: “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 U.K.’s leading actors across television, film and theater.”
Thorne, an NYT alumnus, 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 brought 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 realized 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.”
Amarteifio added: “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.”
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.”
Ted Hodgkinson, head of literature and spoken word at Southbank Centre, added: “This new project is all about platforming the voices and views of young people, and asking big questions about what kind of society they want to build as we head into our next 75 years. We look forward to welcoming present and future stars of stage and screen to the Royal Festival Hall to hear their letters to their younger / future selves in what promises to be a very inspiring night.”
Netflix has partnered with National Youth Theatre since 2023, creating more than 4,000 free opportunities aimed at drawing young people into behind-the-scenes creative careers. National Youth Theatre said 60% of Britain’s biggest screen stars started on stage; its alumni include Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren, Adeel Akhtar, Andrea Riseborough, Matt Smith, Regé-Jean Page and Susan Wokoma, along with writers Jack Thorne, James Graham, Miriam Battye, Lennie James and Sarah Solemani, comedians Tom Allen and Joel Dommett, and musicians Ed Sheeran and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Tickets for “Letters to My Younger Future Self” are on sale now, with proceeds benefiting the charity during its 70th anniversary year. National Youth Theatre credited Netflix, Arts Council England and EON Productions for their support of the event.
