StoryFirst Part 1

StoryFirst Part 1 

Featuring a Q&A with Olivier Award winning writer of Standing at the Sky's Edge, Chris Bush.

Please be a Fish
By Eddie Oliver
Directed by Matt Harrison
A darkly comic coming-of-age body horror, exploring being an outcast in a small community and how connection can be found in the most unlikely places.

This is About Tangerines
By Malachy O’Callaghan
Directed by Matt Harrison

A comedy-drama following two brothers, Rory and Alex, told through a series of fragmented memories across their time growing up. The play explores the enduring yet fragile bond between brothers, as they navigate masculinity, identity and the complications of being a sibling.

StoryFirst features the best new writing from National Youth Theatre members, selected by associate artists, staff and members following an open call that saw over 170 scripts submitted from around the UK.

StoryFirst is part of NYT’s new writing festival StoryFest. StoryFest 2026 is sponsored by STUDIOCANAL and Urban Myth Films and supported by Cockayne Grants for the Arts, a Donor Advised Fund, held at The Prism Charitable Trust, White Light and ODEON Luxe Holloway. We would also like to thank our principal supporters Arts Council England and Netflix and our Centre Stage Supporters, Investors In Talent and Friends. We would like to thank everyone who supports our national work with young people.