HOME’s Young Company Performs at London National Theatre

Wed 16 Jul 2025

This June, Manchester’s HOME Young Company was chosen to perform at the National Theatre in London as part of the 30th anniversary of the National Theatre Connections Festival.

Produced by the National Theatre, Connections is a nationwide celebration of youth theatre, giving young people aged 13–19 the opportunity to perform specially commissioned new plays on professional stages. This year’s festival also marked the reopening of the Dorfman Theatre.

More than 5,000 young people from performance groups across the country took part, so HOME Young Company’s selection is a significant achievement - and a moment of pride for Manchester’s vibrant youth arts scene.

The Young Company’s production of Ravers was selected to open the festival. The play, written by Rikki Beadle-Blair MBE, follows a ragtag group of self-described “neeks” (nerds and geeks) as they gather for a “dry rave.” Through ensemble storytelling, the play explores friendship, resolution, and the candid realities of modern youth - alienation, identity, belonging - and the creative power of coming together in a space that celebrates difference.

HOME’s version of Ravers drew inspiration from Manchester’s iconic rave scene and the legacy of The Haçienda, while also reflecting on themes of gentrification and the loss of youth spaces in the city.

Young Company member Safa Khokhar said, “Bringing this play to life has been a beautiful experience that has pushed me as an actor and also led to me making my closest friends. I am forever grateful and proud of us.”

Fellow cast member Adam Wilson added, “I feel that HOME has given me a great opportunity to progress as a performer and a person.”

HOME’s Creative Engagement Theatre Practitioner, Sam Beagley, said:
“Working to create HOME Young Company’s production of Ravers with such a talented, enthusiastic, and passionate cast of young performers has been an incredible experience. It was an honour for us to be invited to perform at the National Theatre, and for those in the cast who wish to pursue a career in the arts, I believe this is just the start of a very bright future. The play was well received with strong reviews, and the young performers had a once-in-a-lifetime experience - not just performing in London, but also exploring the city and creating meaningful, unforgettable memories with friends.”

HOME’s Young Company meets every Tuesday, is completely free to attend, and is now open to new applicants.

If you or someone you know aged 14–18 is interested in theatre and wants to meet like-minded people, email sam.beagley@homemcr.org for an application form to join this September.

The deadline to apply is August 18.