National Theatre Connections 2025: No Regrets Review
Normalised production image. Photo by Foteini Christofilopoulou.
Written by Eleanor B for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Do you have any regrets?
No Regrets is written by Gary McNair, a writer and performer based in Glasgow. The show was performed by the Glasgow Acting Academy, a youth theatre based in the heart of the city.
This performance took place as part of the annual National Theatre Connections Festival, which brings together youth theatre companies from across the UK to perform new plays written specifically for young people. It’s a brilliant opportunity for emerging performers to showcase their talents on a national stage and to explore fresh, relevant stories that speak to their generation. I also had the pleasure of watching Normalised, performed by Brassneck Youth Theatre at this festival, which I’ve also reviewed for Theatre and Tonic.
This play is the result of five years of interviews, during which McNair spoke to people from all walks of life about their experiences with regret. Through these conversations, he explored whether regret is more often rooted in the things we did or the things we didn’t do, whether people would go back and change the decisions they made, and whether regret is something to be feared or simply accepted as part of being human. The play gently weaves these reflections together into a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
The show was mesmerising. The acting was confident and thoughtful, and the subject matter felt fresh and genuinely interesting. Even with minimal set design, the story flowed seamlessly. Through subtle wardrobe changes, slick transitions and a single main character with a recording device, it felt like we were inside their head, witnessing the memories and stories they’d collected over the years.
Touching on everything from the smallest personal choices to life-altering decisions, No Regrets offers the audience space to reflect on their own experiences. It doesn’t aim to judge or offer answers, but instead opens up a conversation: is regret really such a bad thing, or can it help shape who we become?
The cast from Glasgow Acting Academy brought the script to life with clarity and conviction. Each performer gave their part a distinct personality, helping the audience connect with the stories being told and the emotions behind them. A thoughtful and well-delivered piece that leaves you thinking long after the lights go down.
National Theatre’s Connections Festival runs until 28 June.
