A SOAP star has credited the National Youth Theatre (NYT) for “shaping him as a performer”, as he praised the arts organisation for being accessible to ethnic minorities and those from working-class backgrounds.
Shiv Jalota, who plays Vinny Panesar in long-running BBC soap EastEnders, joined the NYT in 2013. In an interview with Eastern Eye, he credited the theatre company for helping him break into the entertainment industry. “It massively helped me – the NYT basically trained me (as an actor),” he said. “It’s definitely shaped me as a performer and given me so much confidence.”
Jalota, from Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, grew up in a working class family. Although he had an interest in acting, he was hesitant to apply to drama schools because of the fees. At 18, he was unsure how to move forward with his acting career. “It was like ‘what do I do? Where do I go?’” he said. “I knew I had to stay away from drama schools because I just couldn’t afford it.”
A rehearsal for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the National Youth Theatre in 2019
A friend recommended the NYT – which boasts alumni such as Dame Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rosamund Pike –and Jalota decided to audition. On his second attempt, he was accepted.
Other than the annual fee for company membership (£2.90 a month), there are no additional costs associated with NYT. Last year, the NYT launched Hub, a new, accessible subscription service in replacement of audition fees. The Hub subscription also includes an online platform giving users access to live and pre-recorded workshops with actors and online resources.
“As a working class, British Asian, it was a place for me where I saw an opportunity where finances may not be as much of a strain,” Jalota said.
While at NYT, he was mentored by actor Shane Zaza and worked with director Sean Hollands. “All the individuals I’ve worked with have become my friends and contacts for life,” he said. “That’s what the NYT has done for me and it will continue to do so.”
The 27-year-old enrolled on the theatre’s Epic Stages course which offered him the opportunity to eventually perform at London’s Hackney Empire, Jalota’s first time performing live. With Epic Stages, he also had the chance to travel to Saudi Arabia to work on an overseas theatre project. It meant bringing the arts to an entirely different culture to his own, meeting and working with young men and women in the Middle East.
“We wanted to unite people and to get people performing in a place where English isn’t necessarily the first language and theatre was perceived differently,” he recalled.
Other than the annual fee for company membership, there are no additional costs associated with NYT.
Jalota, who previously appeared in the lead role in the National Theatre’s Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, admitted young people may be wary of pursuing a career in the arts due to worries on financial stability. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has seen many theatres close, meaning many are out of work.
“There is definitely that fear of people being able to survive in the industry, especially working class actors, who worry that the work may not be there,” he said.
Although lockdown restrictions have altered the way that television and film productions typically operate, Jalota is still working full-time on EastEnders. Soap operas have coronavirus protocols in place, meaning actors have to maintain a two-metre distance from one another.
Acknowledging that many other actors may be struggling in the current times, Jalota said he feels lucky to have job security. “(The restrictions mean) it is a new way of doing our job, but we feel very safe and I’m just very blessed to have stability during this time,” the star, who joined the soap in 2019, said.
Encouraging young people to consider applying for the NYT, Jalota said the individuals you could meet along the way will be “your lifeline and keep you uplifted”.
He also reflected on what the experience has taught him. “It has given me the strength to realise that if you want to perform or be backstage or on stage or behind the camera, to just go for it,” Jalota said. “Fail, make mistakes but learn in the moment and that’s so important for any actor coming into it – learning in the moment and being present in the moment. That is what the NYT has taught me.”
For the chance to audition this year, you must subscribe to the National Youth Theatre Hub before March 31, 2021. For information, see: www.nyt.org.uk/join-our-hub
Smriti Mandhana of India (2nd L) speaks to team mates during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup India 2025 match between India and England at Holkar Cricket Stadium on October 19, 2025 in Indore, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
FOUR-TIME champions England booked their ticket to the semi-finals of the Women’s World Cup after pulling off a nail-biting four-run win over hosts India in Indore on Sunday (19).
England had posted a competitive 288-8 thanks to Heather Knight’s century and held their nerve in the field to defend it, despite their bowling, usually their strong suit, being a touch off colour.
India looked to be cruising towards victory, needing just 62 runs off the last 10 overs with seven wickets in hand. But the dismissal of Smriti Mandhana turned the tide, as scoreboard pressure crept in and dot balls piled up. Soon after, Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma departed in quick succession, leaving the tail high and dry.
Reckless batting cost India dear. Mandhana’s downfall opened the floodgates when she danced down the track to left-arm spinner Linsey Smith but failed to clear long-off. Then, after reaching her half-century, Deepti Sharma perished trying to take on Sophie Ecclestone, a slog sweep that found deep mid-wicket to perfection. From there, the writing was on the wall.
“We probably needed 300, but we did well to pull things back and I’m very happy. Didn’t contribute much in the last couple of games, so it felt good to come up with a match-winning hundred,” said Knight, whose classy 109 off 91 balls, laced with 15 fours and a six, was the backbone of England’s innings.
England’s openers gave them a brisk start with 73 runs for the first wicket before Knight joined captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in a 113-run stand that kept the scoreboard ticking.
At one stage, England looked set to go past 300, but Knight’s run out attempting a second run triggered a slowdown, as India tightened the screws and conceded only 74 runs in the final 10 overs. Deepti Sharma was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with four wickets.
It was India’s third successive defeat leaving their next clash against New Zealand a virtual knockout. With both teams locked on four points, it’s a case of do or die to stay in the hunt for the last semi-final berth, with Australia, England and South Africa already safely through.
England, meanwhile, have been clinical, through to the semis with two games in hand. They sit second on the table with nine points, level with defending champions Australia, separated only by a whisker in Net Run Rate.
“Not sure how we lost this game. We had it in the bag. We’ve worked so hard and when the last five overs slip away from you, it’s heartbreaking. This is the third straight game we’ve lost after coming so close,” lamented India captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.