Almeida announces details for free under 25s festival

Details have been announced for the Almeida's free festival for under 25s, which returns following its inaugural outing during the theatre's production of Hamlet starring Andrew Scott last year.

Almeida For Free will take place from 3 to 5 April, and will feature three free performances of Tennessee Williams’ Summer and Smoke, as well as music, cabaret, comedy, workshops and panel discussions.

Directed by Rebecca Frecknall, Summer and Smoke tells of an unmarried minister's daughter – played by Patsy Ferran – and her relationship with a young doctor who grew up next door.

Further highlights of the programme include drag girl band DENIM, comedian Jayde Adams and immersive binaural show Séance, seen at last year's Edinburgh Fringe. There will be workshops from Inua Ellams, Lulu Raczka, Emma Frankland and Kane Husbands, and a panel discussion entitled So You Think You’re A (Female) Director?, about being a female theatre director in today’s industry.

Artistic director Rupert Goold said today: "I can’t wait to throw open the doors of the theatre to young people for the second Almeida For Free festival, three days crammed full of fearless performance, thought-provoking debates and inspiring workshops.

"Last year 1600 people aged 25 and under saw Hamlet for free and 69 per cent of the participants in the festival had never visited the Almeida before. This is why it’s so incredibly important that the festival is returning again during Summer and Smoke and, alongside our commitment of 3000 £5 tickets per year for people aged 25 and under, it demonstrates the value we place on getting young people into the building."

Tickets to all events will be free to under 25s and available to book from midday on Tuesday 20 February.