Rehearsal images have been released for the National Youth Theatre’s upcoming production of The Host, playing at The Yard Theatre from the 22nd of August. 

Syrian refugee Rabea finds an unlikely host in fellow 20-year-old Yasmin in her South London flat. But on the same estate Yasmin’s family face struggles of their own and believe that charity should begin at home.

This world premiere production of  Nessah Muthy’s play will be performed by the National Youth Theatre at The Yard Theatre from the 22nd to the 26th August.

As well as 2017 being the year in which the National Youth Theatre celebrates its 50th anniversary of commissioning new writing for young people, the company will present this urban story directed by Zoe Lafferty.

Nessah Muthy’s play was written in response to Brexit and the European refugee crisis, while telling the story of one young person’s journey from his homeland to England where he is accepted into a family.

The Host is playing as part of the National Youth Theatre’s first East End Season, which also features Mohsin Hamid’s  The Reluctant Fundamentalist  adapted for the stage by Stephanie Street and Jessica Swale’s Blue Stockings .

In response to The Host, a 360 video will be available at The Yard Theatre featuring real accounts of refugees living in the UK. Furthering the themes raised in the play, the film will explore the responses and opinions of refugees based on their real life experiences,  The video has been specially commissioned for NYT and is being created by NYT alumni Ben Carlin and Sean Hollands (2016 Bryan Forbes Director), founders of Epiphany VR.

The Host will play at The Yard Theatre from the 22nd to the 26th August. For more information visit: https://theyardtheatre.co.uk/theatre/events/national-youth-theatre-at-the-yard/the-host/.