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The U.K.’s National Youth Theatre has announced a further wave of star names for “Letters to My Younger Future Self,” the one-night performance marking the organization’s 70th anniversary.
The show, supported by Netflix,
is set for Sept. 20 at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in London.
The new names joining the lineup include chart-topper Sophie Ellis-Bextor, BAFTA Breakthrough Brit Susan Wokoma (“Enola Holmes”), leading dramatist James Graham (“Dear England”), Daniel Ings (“The Gentleman”), Calam Lynch (“Rings of Power”), Fay Ripley (“Cold Feet”), Rhea Norwood (“Heartstopper”) 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.
They join the previously announced lineupof BAFTA winner Adeel Akhtar (“Four Lions”), India Amarteifio (“Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”), Fehinti Balogun (“Down Cemetery Road”), Jessica Henwick (“Game of Thrones”), Rob Rinder (“Judge Rinder”), Takunda Muzondiwa (2026 Roundhouse Poetry Slam winner) and Jack Thorne (“Adolescence”). Further appearances and letters are set to be announced.
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’s “Ignite Your Creativity” program.
NYT patron Sophie Ellis-Bextor said: “I’m 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.”
Wokoma added: “NYT shaped everything for me… I learned how to be a good company member and it’s absolutely one of my strengths as an actor and writer. It’s the way you learn and grow and surprise yourself.”
Ings said: “A lot of the people I’m 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’t wait to be back with the NYT this September for a night to remember.”
Lynch added: “I’m looking forward to returning to my NYT roots for a special evening celebrating seventy years of youth theatre.”
Bolton said: “NYT is where I started my performing journey and is a company that means a lot to me. I’m looking forward to joining some amazing talent on stage for an evening to remember.”
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.’s top screen talent got their start in theater. That roster includes Daniel Craig, Helen Mirren, Adeel Akhtar, Andrea Riseborough, Matt Smith, Regé-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.
Tickets for “Letters to My Younger Future Self” 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.
