National Youth Theatre of Great Britain

NYT Playing Up: Ripple / Besieged

Monsay Whitney and Aisha Zia

Directed by: Carolina Giammetta and Toby Clarke

RIPPLE by Monsay Whitney

Ronnie wants to die. Or maybe he’s just sick of living. Whatever the case, he’s intent on jumping from the roof of Merlin House. If he could only have some privacy to get on with the job…

A dark comedy exploring the rippling effects of one man’s suicide bid on the world around him. Under the renowned direction of Carolina Giammetta, the NYT Playing Up Company present this touching and wildly witty new play about a man on the edge.


BESIEGED by Aisha Zia

War is everywhere. It’s in our state, our homes and our minds.

Performed by the fearless voices of the NYT Playing Up Company, Besieged explores everyday warfare, survival and the tenacity of the human spirit. This new play by Aisha Zia (No Guts, No Heart, No Glory) is a compassionate collaboration of real voices and new writing under the powerful direction of Toby Clarke.


Playing Up is part of National Youth Theatre’s commitment to social inclusion. This free, nine-month drama training offers young people not in education, employment of training the chance to gain a qualification equivalent to two A levels.