Connections (also referred to as New Connections and formerly Shell Connections) is the National Theatre in London's annual youth theatre scheme. Originally founded in 1995 and sponsored by Royal Dutch Shell this changed in 2007 when the Bank of America took over the sponsorship. The plays are also published by the National Theatre each year. The National Theatre. Annually commissions ten plays from established playwrights which are performed by youth theatre groups across the UK. Groups are invited to perform at Connections Festivals held at a professional theatre in their area. A random performance group from each play is then performed at the end of the Festival at the National Theatre itself.