After a long-awaited return, the NANDA Youth Festival was back in full swing — and what a day it was! Held on a sunny Saturday at Chilwell School, the festival brought together young performers from across Nottinghamshire for a full day of creativity, camaraderie, and celebration of youth theatre.

Our Youth Theatre proudly performed a 40-minute edited version of Macbeth, a production they had previously staged at the Lace Market Theatre in March. The cast delivered their Shakespearean piece with passion and maturity, captivating the audience and demonstrating their talent and the dedication they had put into the production.

Throughout the day, our group also had the chance to support and watch performances from other local youth theatres. Ravenshead Youth Theatre opened the day with Starman, a powerful original piece by  Mandy Buckley set in a futuristic Earth grappling with air pollution. Nottingham Arts Theatre Youth Group performed two contrasting works: Takeaway by Jackie Kay, and The King's Jester, an original piece created and performed by two of their own members. Each performance brought something unique to the stage, showcasing the breadth of talent and imagination within our region’s young creatives.

The day wasn’t just about performing — it was also about connecting. Our Youth Theatre members threw themselves into supporting others, cheering on their peers and even squeezing in some drama games while the judging took place. The atmosphere was warm, lively, and filled with mutual respect and encouragement.

The event was introduced and compered by Rob Hurst, Chairman of NANDA, who has been a driving force behind local theatre for many years and played a crucial role in guiding the organisation through the challenges of the pandemic. Rob was joined by Gordon Parsons, NANDA President, whose lifelong dedication to theatre — including directing, acting, and even reviewing for radio — was clear in his enthusiasm for the event.

Esteemed adjudicator Stephen Godward rounded off the day with his thoughtful and inspiring feedback. A seasoned performer and director, Stephen brought a wealth of theatrical experience to the judging panel, and his insights were as educational as they were encouraging for all the young performers.

The day concluded with an awards ceremony, and we’re thrilled to share that our Youth Theatre brought home several accolades:

* **Dan Shaw Award** – awarded to Edgar

* **Fox Trophy for Best Actress** – awarded to Viola

The King’s Jester, an original piece created and performed by two of Nottingham Arts Theatre Youth Group members, was named Best Play of the festival — a worthy winner that impressed with its creativity and strong performances.

It was a true celebration of young talent and teamwork — and a wonderful way to mark the return of the Youth Festival since its pause during the COVID years. We’re so proud of our cast not only for their brilliant performance, but also for their supportive spirit and enthusiasm throughout the day. Here’s to many more festivals to come!