Young Performers Support Teenage Cancer Trust at Sheffield Theatres

Young members of Sheffield People's Theatre, currently rehearsing for a production set in a teenage cancer ward, have this week had their heads shaved to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Billy Hinchliff, Daniel Morris and Joseph Pass, along with seven other young performers, play teenage cancer patients in Hospital Food, a new play by Eugene O'Hare set in a city hospital cancer unit. With the support of their parents and schools, the boys underwent their transformation in readiness for the production on Wednesday 25 March and hope to raise money for the charity by holding collections after the performance.

Hospital Food is part of National Theatre's Connections, which celebrates new writers and talented young theatre makers. The performances, all by local theatre companies, will take place in the Crucible Studio from Tuesday 24 March to Saturday 28 March.

Each year the National Theatre asks ten writers to create new plays for the project which are performed by young theatre companies across the country, with the help of industry professionals. Sheffield Theatres will be showing seven of the plays, from writers including actor/writer Jamie Brittain (co-creator of E4's Skins) and actor Cush Jumbo (Getting On, Vera) which will be performed by nine theatre groups from across the region comprised of members aged from thirteen to nineteen.

Emily Hutchinson, Creative Projects Manager at Sheffield Theatres commented: 'The commitment to this project from all of our performers has been incredible and I'm delighted that we have been able to raise some money towards such a deserving cause. Cancer affects so many young people in this country, so I am proud that we are able to represent them in this new play.'

Tickets for National Theatre Connections are on sale now from Sheffield Theatres' Box Office, priced £5.00 each which includes two performances (except Tue 24 March). Call 0114 249 6000 or visit sheffieldtheatres.co.uk to book.