IT’S not every day a youth drama group gets to premiere a new play commissioned by the National Theatre.

But that’s exactly what is happening for the Kingsley Players Youth Theatre at the end of March. 

As part of the National Theatre's UK-wide Connections drama festival, these talented young people will be putting on four performances of Olivier Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Jon Brittain’s new play, Model Behaviour, at Kingsley Community Centre.

The play takes audiences into the classroom of fictional politics teacher Mr Smallwood, who has the inspired idea for his pupils to spend a day role-playing as delegates at the United Nations.

The experiment explodes into a thermo-nuclear car crash of a day, with personal (playground) politics being played out against the backdrop of the international stage.

Kingsley Youth Theatre director, Jake Powell, said: “Following on from the success of our involvement with National Theatre Connections last year, we are thrilled to be taking part this year, performing a new play written specifically for young people.”

As part of the Connections festival, the company will also give a performance at the Crewe Lyceum theatre, on Monday, April 24.

Jake added: “We’re very grateful for all the support we’ve had from our sponsors Kingsley Parish Council, Kingsley Carpets, and Forresters Factory Farm Shop.

“If it wasn’t for them, the project wouldn’t have been possible.”

The show runs from Thursday, March 30, to Saturday, April 1. Tickets cost £5 for adults and students, and can be booked online at kingsleyplayers.co.uk or by ringing the box office on 07724 892 154.