Full cast announced for Lament for Sheku Bayoh written and directed by Hannah Lavery

Lament for Sheku Bayoh will be performed by Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther, and Courtney Stoddart and will also feature music from Beldina Odenyo, AKA Heir of the Cursed.

Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
Last Updated: 18 October 2020 13:10

WORLD PREMIERE

A National Theatre of Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh co-production

Lament for Sheku Bayoh
Written and Directed by Hannah Lavery

Associate Director Caitlin Skinner, Designer Kirsty Currie, Composer Beldina Odenyo, Lighting Designer Emma Jones, Movement Director Natali McCleary, Video Designer Ellie Thompson, Creative Consultant Fatima Uygun.

Cast is Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther, and Courtney Stoddart

A young black man lost his life. In Scotland. Five years ago.

Soon after 7am, on a Sunday morning - May 3rd, 2015, Sheku Bayoh, a 31 year-old gas engineer, husband and father of two died in Police custody on the streets of his hometown, Kirkcaldy in Fife.

Lament for Sheku Bayoh is a personal response to this tragedy, an expression of grief for the loss of the human behind the headlines and a non-apologetic reflection on identity and racism in Scotland today.

Performed on the Lyceum theatre’s stage and streamed to audiences at home, Lament for Sheku Bayoh urgently questions, is Scotland really a safe place?

Written and Directed by acclaimed spoken word artist and theatre-maker Hannah Lavery, Lament for Sheku Bayoh was originally commissioned and presented as a rehearsed reading by the Lyceum Theatre, supported by the Edinburgh International Festival as part of the 2019 International Festival’s You Are Here strand.

Lament for Sheku Bayoh will be performed by Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther, and Courtney Stoddart. The three cast members also performed as part of the original rehearsed reading at the 2019 Edinburgh International Festival. The production will also feature music from Beldina Odenyo, AKA Heir of the Cursed.

Three performances of Lament for Sheku Bayoh will be streamed on 20 and 21 November 2020 and made available to a paying audience. Viewers can buy tickets to watch performances from either the National Theatre of Scotland or the Lyceum Theatre’s website.

After Sheku Bayoh lost his life in 2015, his family launched a campaign seeking justice and answers about the manner of his death. In 2019 it was announced that a judge-led inquiry into the case would be held, with a view to establishing the circumstances behind the case. Earlier this year it was announced that the remit for the inquiry would include examining whether Mr Bayoh's "actual or perceived race" had played any part in his death.

Writer & Director Hannah Lavery:

"I hope that Lament for Sheku Bayoh will be the beginning of a journey for audiences; that it will leave them with questions that they want answered and that it will give them an energy to pursue a better Scotland. And for some of us it will be an opportunity to be seen and heard and to have an experience and a knowledge of this country shared.

I think it's important for us to be able to talk about Scotland in an honest way, and to not turn our head away from the things that might feel uncomfortable or challenge the idea we have of ourselves. It's important for us all to see Sheku Bayou as a human being- hugely loved, full of promise and with dreams for his future- and to take a moment to really mourn his loss."

Hannah Lavery is an acclaimed spoken word artist and playwright. Most recently she created Disco with Mum for the Company’s Scenes for Survival series and her acclaimed autobiographical solo show, The Drift about identity, belonging and grief produced by the National Theatre of Scotland toured Scotland in 2019 and was featured as part of Ghost Light, for the Edinburgh International Festivals’ My Light Shines On programme in 2020.

"This is lovely, resonating writing, performed with an enthralling, warm confidence. Moving, charming, chastening, it is precisely the kind of work for which our National Theatre of Scotland was created.” Sunday Herald on The Drift

Available to view on 20 November (8pm) and 21 November (1pm & 8pm) nationaltheatrescotland.com and lyceum.org.uk.

Tickets are available on a Pay What You Can scale from £5 to £25 - Booking: nationaltheatrescotland.com/lamentforshekubayoh

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Lanarkshire News

Spread your wings with new butterfly experience at Amazonia

Amazonia, Scotland's popular temperature controlled tropical indoor forest, has launched a new butterfly experience.

New Finds at Culloden Battlefield shed more light on intensity of battle

Latest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.

Topgolf Glasgow to host live Masters watch party

Calling all golfers! Topgolf Glasgow is hosting 'The Final Round – Live' on Sunday 14th April, it's an unmissable event to celebrate golf's most prestigious tournament!

Scottish Game Fair returns for its 35th year

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.

Dobbies Garden Centres unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.

POSTPONED: Springfest at Loch Lomond Shores

This year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.

Meet your favourite superheroes at M&Ds

M&D's is to host a free weekend for comic fans and movie buffs at Scotland's Theme Park with the chance to meet a packed line-up of favourite characters!

Lanark Amateur Musical Society raise a thousand pounds for their 2024 charity partner

Lanark Amateur Musical Society (LAMS) have raised £1000 for Cancer Research UK as part of their 2024 charity partnership.

Airdrie Town Hall to reopen with exciting entertainment lineup for 2024

Airdrie Town Hall will reopen in April as an entertainment and arts venue, following its use in recent years by NHS Lanarkshire.

Bothwell Castle reopens to visitors

Bothwell Castle, one of medieval Scotland's most outstanding monuments, has reopened to visitors.

Historic sites across Scotland get ready to reopen their doors

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.

Diabetes Scotland will host a virtual event for young people 11 to 25 living with type 1 diabetes

Join Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.

Iconic Noughties stars make cheeky comeback to launch limited edition IRN BRU flavours

Noughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!

Playsport in East Kilbride is set to welcome a new state of the art racing simulator centre GP Racing Simulators

GP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.

Free activities this Easter at Dobbies

Dobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.

Deadline looms for 30th Scottish Thistle Awards public nominations

The search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.

Springfest is back this April... with all things foodie as well as a host of entertainment and things to do!

This year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.

Fun family favourites leap into action on the big screen this Easter break at Vue

A host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.

Tee up a Hoppy Easter Half Term for all the Family at Topgolf Glasgow

From an Easter Egg-stravaganza on Easter Sunday to high-tech golf games suitable for all the family, Topgolf Glasgow is a must-visit destination during the half-term break.

A taste of what is to come at Paisley Food and Drink Festival

Spring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!

Double billed award winning dance theatre show involving Cumbernauld youth talent, prepares to take the stage at Lanternhouse

And The Birds Did Sing, presented by Curious Seed, will be arriving in Cumbernauld on Thursday 26th March, for one performance.

Energy leaders to host open day for local community

LEADING UK renewable energy developer, OnPath Energy (formerly Banks Renewables), is set to host an open day for community grant funding generated by a nearby wind farm.

M&Ds will host a special Preview Weekend to launch their new season!

Centre stage will be the unveiling of a new ride – the Air Raid - a thrill ride that will take you to your limits!

National Theatre of Scotland announce full cast and creative team for Maggie & Me

Full cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!

Dobbies invites nominations for national community initiative

Dobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.

Scottish stovies and strange sheep are announced as the winning entries for The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

A sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition

Easter fun for every bunny with the National Trust For Scotland

Popular Listings

Airdrie Town Hall Chatelherault Country Park East Kilbride Arts Centre East Kilbride Village Theatre Lanark Memorial Hall Lanternhouse Cumbernauld Motherwell Concert Hall and Theatre Rutherglen Town Hall Strathclyde Country Park The Town House Hamilton

Full cast announced for Lament for Sheku Bayoh written and directed by Hannah Lavery

Lament for Sheku Bayoh will be performed by Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther, and Courtney Stoddart and will also feature music from Beldina Odenyo, AKA Heir of the Cursed.

Sponsored Links

Latest Lanarkshire News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings