The U.K.\u2019s National Youth Theatre has announced a further wave of star names for \u201cLetters to My Younger Future Self,\u201d the one-night performance marking the organization\u2019s 70th anniversary.<\/p>\n
The show, supported by Netflix, is set for Sept. 20 at the Southbank Centre\u2019s Royal Festival Hall in London.<\/p>\n
The new names joining the lineup include chart-topper Sophie Ellis-Bextor, BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Susan Wokoma (\u201cEnola Holmes\u201d), leading dramatist James Graham (\u201cDear England\u201d), Anita Rani (\u201cBBC Woman\u2019s Hour\u201d), Daniel Ings (\u201cThe Gentleman\u201d), Calam Lynch (\u201cRings of Power\u201d), Fay Ripley (\u201cCold Feet\u201d), Rhea Norwood (\u201cHeartstopper\u201d) and Megan Bolton (TikTok comedian). Additional letters will be penned by NYT patron Chiwetel Ejiofor, Joanna Lumley, Joan Collins, Richard E. Grant and Matt Lucas.<\/p>\n
They join the previously announced lineup of BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar (\u201cFour Lions\u201d), India Amarteifio (\u201cQueen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story\u201d), Fehinti Balogun (\u201cDown Cemetery Road\u201d), Jessica Henwick (\u201cGame of Thrones\u201d), Rob Rinder (\u201cJudge Rinder\u201d), Takunda Muzondiwa (2026 Roundhouse Poetry Slam winner) and Jack Thorne (\u201cAdolescence\u201d). Further appearances and letters are set to be announced.<\/p>\n
The evening is directed by National Youth Theatre CEO and artistic director Paul Roseby alongside director Josie Daxter, with dramaturgy from Krishna Istha and Sophie Ellerby. Will Duke handles video design, Prema Mehta lighting design, Nicola T. Chang sound design and Matthew Wells movement direction. The show will be powered on stage, behind the scenes and on screen by young talent nurtured through Netflix and National Youth Theatre\u2019s \u201cIgnite Your Creativity\u201d program.<\/p>\n
NYT patron Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: \u201cI\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wokoma added: \u201cNYT shaped everything for me\u2026 I learned how to be a good company member and it\u2019s absolutely one of my strengths as an actor and writer. It\u2019s the way you learn and grow and surprise yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ings said: \u201cA lot of the people I\u2019m 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\u2019t wait to be back with the NYT this September for a night to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lynch added: \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to returning to my NYT roots for a special evening celebrating seventy years of youth theatre.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bolton said: \u201cNYT is where I started my performing journey and is a company that means a lot to me. I\u2019m looking forward to joining some amazing talent on stage for an evening to remember.\u201d<\/p>\n
Netflix has backed National Youth Theatre since 2023 through a partnership that has generated more than 4,000 free places aimed at steering young people toward behind-the-scenes creative careers. The charity points to its alumni roster as evidence that a majority of the U.K.\u2019s top screen talent got their start in theater. That roster includes Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren, Adeel Akhtar, Andrea Riseborough, Matt Smith, Reg\u00e9-Jean Page and Susan Wokoma, along with dramatists 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.<\/p>\n
Tickets for \u201cLetters to My Younger Future Self\u201d are on sale now, with proceeds benefiting the national charity in its 70th anniversary year. National Youth Theatre named Netflix as headline sponsor of the event, with additional backing from Arts Council England and Eon Productions.<\/p>\n