Article Source: National Theatre of Scotland
Last Updated: 26 July 2021 13:11
• Lament for Sheku Bayoh a co-production with Edinburgh International Festival and the Lyceum Theatre, to be performed live on stage, and accompanied by free digital version for one week (25 to 31 August) and soon to be launched education resource and access to the digital version for schools.
• Thirteen Fragments – a short digital artwork and co-production with Royal Society Edinburgh to be presented alongside a panel discussion in response to the RSE commission addressing how Scotland can emerge from the
pandemic.
National Theatre of Scotland’s Associate Artist, Hannah Lavery, brings two urgent and compelling pieces of work to live and online audiences in August 2021. Thirteen Fragments and Lament for Sheku Bayoh are both timely, contemporary responses to recent events: the experience of women in Covid and the death of a black man in police custody in Scotland.
World premiere digital artwork Thirteen Fragments, created in partnership with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, features spoken word and movement and explores female resilience during the pandemic. Thirteen Fragments is presented online as part of the RSE’s summer events programme, Curious from 9- 27 August.
Acclaimed production Lament for Sheku Bayoh is a powerful and artistic response to the tragic death of Sheku Bayoh. It is presented live on stage at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh during the Edinburgh International Festival from 25 - 28 August and online from 25 – 31 August as part of Edinburgh International Festival At Home in partnership with abrdn.
Hannah Lavery is an acclaimed spoken word artist and playwright. Most recently she created Disco with Mum for National Theatre of Scotland’s Scenes for Survival series. 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.
National Theatre of Scotland and The Royal Society of Edinburgh present
Thirteen Fragments
Writer, performer and director Hannah Lavery, Composer and musician Beldina Odenyo/Heir of the Cursed, Choreographer and performer Natali McCleary, Filmmaker Beth Chalmers
Commissioned by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) as part of its Post Covid-19
Futures Commission
A short digital artwork featuring spoken word and movement exploring female
resilience in Scotland, will premiere online on 9 August during the RSE’s summer
events programme, Curious, which runs during August 2021.
Thirteen Fragments is a co-production between National Theatre of Scotland and the RSE; a new short digital artwork featuring spoken word and movement, created by award-winning writer and performer Hannah Lavery collaborating with musician Beldina Odenyo, choreographer Natali McCleary and filmmaker Beth Chalmers. The project has been commissioned as part of the RSE Post Covid-19 Futures Commission.
Thirteen Fragments is an artistic response to the RSE’s Covid Commission which
addresses how Scotland can emerge from the Covid pandemic as a more equitable
society and is rooted in lead artist Hannah Lavery’s experience of the last year as a woman of colour. RSE Fellows have informed research on the piece including Talat Yaqoob (consultant and researcher on women’s equality and race equality) and Zinnie Harris (playwright, screenwriter and director).
Thirteen Fragments is a spoken word dance piece where bursts of poetry sit within an original soundscape alongside shards of song and of movement. The coming together of Beldina Odenyo’s music, Natali McCleary’s movement and Hannah’s words sees the poetry take shape and given physical life, reflecting individual responses of the artists. Intimately filmed by Beth Chalmers, the piece explores the meaning of female resilience in Scotland today and aspirations for the future. Thirteen Fragments of anger, of love, of death, of exhaustion and of hope.
An accompanying digital panel discussion event involves Hannah Lavery in conversation with Talat Yaqoob and Zinnie Harris, Their discussion, which takes the film as starting point, focuses on some of the themes that the work highlights including the impact of Covid on women and wider society and the role that art and creativity play in the pandemic.
Hannah Lavery says: "Inspired by the work of the RSE fellows, I wanted to make a film that would speak to the experience of women and especially women of colour, using poetry, dance, music and film. I have been so lucky to have been joined by a dream team of women collaborating with dance, music, and film to create a provocation and also a meditation on the time we are living through and what that means for us all as we look toward the future."
Dr Rebekah Widdowfield, CEO of the Royal Society of Edinburgh said: “Creativity sparks debate and dialogue which is why this collaboration between the RSE and the National Theatre of Scotland is so important. This piece explores the impact of Covid on women and questions whether it has changed attitudes and mindsets. It represents a valuable contribution to the work of the RSE’s Post Covid Futures Commission connecting with key themes including resilience and inclusivity and we are very much looking forward to
premiering it in August as part of our summer events programme, Curious”.
Thirteen Fragments premieres online as part of the RSE’s summer events programme,
Curious on 9 August 2021 at 7.30pm with an accompanying panel discussion. The event is free and ticketed.
Booking links for premiere
RSE Eventbrite and National Theatre of Scotland
.
Following the premiere, Thirteen Fragments and the digital discussion will be available to view on the RSE’s Curious and National Theatre of Scotland’s websites.
Lament for Sheku Bayoh
Written and directed by Hannah Lavery
Designer Kirsty Currie, Composer Beldina Odenyo, Lighting Designer Emma Jones, Movement Director Natali McCleary, Video Designer Ellie Thompson
Cast: Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther, and Courtney Stoddart
At the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh as part of the Edinburgh International Festival with performances from 25 – 28 August 2021 and online from 25 to 31 August.
Opening Performance 25 August 2021
A young black man lost his life. Six years ago. In police custody. In Scotland.
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 an artistic 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.
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. In November 2020 Lament for Sheku Bayoh was performed live on the Lyceum stage and streamed to paying audiences at home.
Now being performed on the Lyceum Theatre’s stage for a live audience as part of the Edinburgh International Festival, Lament for Sheku Bayoh urgently questions, is Scotland really a safe place?
The digital stream of the production as filmed on the Lyceum’s stage in 2020 is available to watch online for free from 25 – 31 August as part of Edinburgh International Festival at Home in partnership with abrdn. See eif.co.uk/at-home for information.
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. In 2020 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. The Sheku Bayoh Inquiry, chaired by Lord Bracadale, continues to this day with “focus and determination.”
A resource pack, which will launch the National Theatre of Scotland’s new education portal will be made available to schools throughout Scotland from 25 August. Working closely with writer Hannah Lavery, cast members and other industry professionals, the three co-producers have curated a range of audio, visual and written articles which will support teachers in facilitating positive, constructive conversations around the themes of the play exploring the wider social, historical and political aspects of Scottish identity and enriching the pupil experience of the production.
The resources have been developed with input from poet and facilitator Clementine E Burnley and includes tools from organisations such as Training for Change and The Anti-Racist educators.
Writer & Director Hannah Lavery said:
"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."
Dates: Wed 25 to Sat 28 August, 7.30pm and Thurs 26 & Sat 28 August, 2.30pm
Tickets: £22 (concessions available)
Online Booking: eif.co.uk
Access: BSL Interpretation by Jacqui Beckford on Wed 25 Aug, 7:30pm.
Audio Description and Captioning on Sat 28 Aug, 2:30pm.
Acclaimed Scottish folk four-piece Gnoss are back with a brand-new single ‘Emily’ set for release on Friday 25th July!
READ MOREGilded Balloon launches a rewards scheme with £6 tickets now available for local residents for some of the Fringe's biggest shows - including Rosie O'Donnell, Jack Docherty, Kim Blythe and more!
READ MOREATG Entertainment launches their Summer Saver campaign with discounted tickets to over 100 shows including several at the Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MORESheila Fleet is thrilled to announce the opening of her contemporary two-storey jewellery shop at 4 Hanover Street, just off Princes Street.
READ MORELeith Makers is excited to invite you to be a part of their upcoming collaborative exhibition: Leith Connections, running from 6th - 31st August.
READ MOREChildren attending Dobbies Little Seedlings Club will get the chance to travel back hundreds of millions of years to learn about prehistoric plants and talk about their favourite dinosaurs!
READ MOREScottish trad supergroup Mànran will headline a one-off live show on the Mound this month, as part of the return of Innis & Gunn's popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe takeover.
READ MORESUSHISAMBA Edinburgh launches its famed Champagne Afternoon Tea, with a refreshing summer spin, whilst guests enjoy unparalleled views from the restaurant’s home on the 10th floor of W Edinburgh!
READ MOREHot on the heels of a thrilling TravFest25 programme, the Traverse Theatre has announced the first details of the exciting work audiences can look forward to seeing in the venue from September.
READ MOREEdinburgh's West End has welcomed an exciting new destination as Don't Tell Mama, the beloved local coffee shop, officially opens The West End Garden.
READ MOREVirgin Hotels Edinburgh is excited to announce the creation of a brand new role, adding the first-ever 'Director of Mischief' position to its team.
READ MOREEdinburgh Zoo has welcomed Scotland’s only sloth bear, Cipísek, from Zlin Zoo in the Czech Republic.
READ MOREPubLife, a UK-wide summer celebration of the '90s will take place in over 500 pubs, including 7 in Scotland.
READ MOREThis summer, as school holidays get underway, families are invited to enjoy a day out at Scone Palace with their Kids Go Free promotion.
READ MOREThe inaugural Scone Palace International Horse Trials will take place from 21st–24th August 2025 in the stunning grounds of Scone Palace and Perth Racecourse.
READ MOREToday, Collective is delighted to announce and open a new programme, Panorama: New Views of a City, running from Wednesday 9 July to Sunday 21 December 2025.
READ MOREThis summer, The LEGO Group is excited to bring its new Summer Fun with Music Creativity Workshop directly to families in Edinburgh!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow on Sunday 5th October and they want everyone to 'Be Your Greatest'.
READ MOREFamilies will have the chance to meet some of this year’s biggest blockbuster-inspired characters for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer, as part of a series of exciting meet and greet sessions.
READ MOREThis week, the globally acclaimed venue, The Famous Spiegeltent makes her grand return to St Andrew Square after almost a decade away from her spiritual home.
READ MORENewtongrange Community Council is now pleased to reveal the names of the green-fingered locals that stood out in this historic garden contest.
READ MOREDynamic Earth launches its Toddler Tidal and Deep-Sea Discovery Zones in a bid provide accessible enrichment for little ones across the Capital.
READ MOREHis Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh welcomed Gold DofE Award holders to The Palace of Holyroodhouse this morning at a very special event to mark their achievements.
READ MOREBTS Army: Forever We Are Young, a brand-new documentary celebrating the fans that helped catapult 21st century pop icons BTS into global stardom comes to Vue.
READ MOREFamily favourites and animated adventures are heading to the big screen this summer holiday at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORECapital Theatres has today launched The People’s Archive, a digital exhibition that celebrates the rich history and cultural legacy of the King’s Theatre.
READ MOREA Disney-loving mum and her one-year-old daughter have been crowned Edinburgh’s biggest Stitch fans after winning a competition hosted by Fort Kinnaird.
READ MORELivingston Designer Outlet goes Jurassic crazy this July with lifelike dinosaurs, ranger training and endless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.
READ MOREDeparting on Saturday 29th November 2025 at from Edinburgh Waverley, this enchanting lunchtime journey will be led by the iconic 60532 Blue Peter.
READ MOREEdinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) has today announced its programme of screenings and events for its 2025 edition.
READ MORE