National Youth Theatre Production at AbbeyTheatre.ie 8-15 August

The National Youth Theatre (NYT) is a biennial event that sees 22 young people from youth theatres across Ireland working together for a year. They develop as a company under the guidance of a professional creative team with the programme delivered by Youth Theatre Ireland in association with the Abbey Theatre.

The 2021 National Youth Theatre (NYT) production will be presented online next month. The company have been rehearsing online from various corners of Ireland and include 16 actors and 6 design and technical roles. They will complete their rehearsal process by coming together at the Peacock stage to rehearse and film scenes, before releasing their filmed piece of theatre via the Abbey Theatres YouTube channel from 8-15 August.

Artistic Director Veronica Coburn and playwright Ciara Elizabeth Smyth have worked with the ensemble to create a new play AFTERTASTE about power and chaos. Combining the best work from their creative team and film company Big O, this new piece will be streamed online.

Speaking about NYT, Eoghan Doyle, Director of Youth Theatre Ireland said. ‘The National Youth Theatre is a highlight in the youth theatre calendar and this year will be no exception. The brilliant creative team, have continually adapted and innovated to ensure that this ensemble of fantastic young people from all over Ireland will have a National Youth Theatre experience to remember. They are creating a unique NYT that is truly by, for and with young people and we look forward to sharing and showcasing youth theatre with all of you in the coming weeks.’

AFTERTASTE offers a theatrical exploration into a world full of chaos, violence and greed. In it, Ireland has a new government, filled with young, righteous, left-leaning politicians. Its Health and Wellness Act, hurriedly signed into law just one year ago, has made it illegal to possess or consume unhealthy food or ‘junk’ but ‘Junk Advocates’ are on the rise and are openly protesting. Eadie Birch's world is upended when her sister, popular Junk Advocate, Lila goes missing under suspicious circumstances. So when Eadie sees an opportunity to get close to high-ranking Government officials, she takes it. Can she find out what happened to her sister or will the same fate befall her?

Producer of NYT, Kelly Phelan reflects on the NYT process this year. “Working with this young ensemble has been a life lesson in resilience. There are always challenges on the road to making a show but the path this year has been incredibly difficult at times. Watching them create a dark, witty, interesting piece of work in the midst of everything is a genuine joy. They are exceptional.”

Don’t miss your chance to view this production and to experience the exceptional world of AFTERTASTE, available via the Abbey Theatre’s YouTube channel from 8-15 of August. For more on the National Youth Theatre, visit YouthTheatre.ie

The National Youth Theatre is supported by the Arts Council, The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Creative Ireland Programme.