Take your chance to see the Almeida Young Company before Hollywood snaps them up.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about watching Stranger Things is knowing that no matter how talented you are, Millie Bobbie Brown will still eclipse you. An eerily similar feeling arises when watching the budding superstars of the Almeida Young Company, who are performing not one, but two world premieres next week.
Impressive though they are, the Almeida Young Company is technically a misnomer; they’re formed of two companies, one for actors aged 14-18, and another of 18-25 year-olds. A year round ensemble, they aim to shape the theatrical movers and shakers of the future, and empower young people through theatre.
The Almeida Young Company is entirely free for participants, and runs from October to September. The actors are selected through a diligent, transparent audition process – often, successful applicants have been inspired by the Company’s outreach sessions at local schools. Once they’ve joined this incredible programme, budding actors partake in weekly classes that explore acting, writing and devising techniques, run by a mix of Almeida Associates and visiting directors, musicians, and choreographers.
It’s all very impressive, and the Almeida has roped in some top theatre talent for their end-of-year shows. The two world premieres arriving at the theatre next week are from Nina Segal and Molly Taylor, a pair of exciting young playwrights whose stars are decidedly on the rise. The 18-25 Company will perform Nina Segal’s (This Isn’t) A True Story, which ricochets between the American Midwest, circa 1979, and present-day London, in a gripping exploration of conspiracy.
Meanwhile, the 14-18 Company stage a performance of Molly Taylor’s The Wave, which she developed with the current group. When a group of London students take part in a project about identity, they find their worlds turned upside down by the explosive results.
Both shows will run from July 22nd-24th, with The Wave beginning at 7pm – find your tickets here – and (This Isn’t) A True Story following at 8:45pm, with tickets available here. Not only is your first chance to see two gripping plays, it’s also a great way to see the future of the London theatre scene, so don’t miss out!
Featured image: @atparticipate