Canterbury National Theatre Connections

People will have the chance to perform in The Manhattan Project, a play that follows Katya, a young girl who escapes into an extraordinary dream where she becomes a hard-boiled private detective in 1940s New York. The play, written by Rasmus Lindberg, is a thrilling exploration of courage, family and the impossible choices people face in times of conflict.

The National Theatre Connections project is open to performers aged 13-19, from all backgrounds and with all levels of experience. Auditions will be held on Saturday, 31st October and Sunday, 1st November at the University of Kent in Canterbury, and will last approximately 75 minutes. The auditions will be done in groups and will be very relaxed, with no preparation required.

Rasmus Lindberg, the playwright behind The Manhattan Project, is a Swedish playwright and director known for his unique style, which mixes comedy, philosophy and existential seriousness. His work has been translated into seven languages and has been selected for several prestigious awards. The Manhattan Project was first staged in Sweden in 2020 and has been described as a fast, funny detective story set in New York during a world war.

The project will lead to performances at both the Gulbenkian Theatre and Trinity Theatre, and is a great opportunity for young performers to gain experience and work with professional directors. The event will take place at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury on Saturday, 7 November 2026, and tickets are with the button beside the article.