Lament for Sheku Bayoh

Writer and Director Hannah Lavery leads an artistic yet grief-filled response to the 2015 death in Scottish police custody of Sheku Bayoh.

ʻNo problem here pal. None at all.ʼ

In the early hours of the morning, 31 year-old Sheku Bayoh set out to walk home from his friend’s place after watching a boxing match. Just hours later, he had lost his life in police custody. Lament for Sheku Bayoh is a poetic expression of grief for the human behind the headlines and a non-apologetic reflection on racism in Scotland today.

Lament for Sheku Bayoh inspires activities for schools as part of our year-round commitment to communities across Scotland.

Contains strong language and descriptions of brutality and racial violence.

Co-produced by Edinburgh International Festival, National Theatre of Scotland and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh

Made possible through the PLACE programme

Originally commissioned by Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh and performed at the 2019 Edinburgh International Festival as a work in progress as part of the You Are Here series.

Development work supported by the Stephen W Dunn Creative Fund

National Theatre of Scotland

Hannah Lavery Writer and Director Kirsty Currie Designer Beldina Odenyo Composer and Musician

Cast includes Saskia Ashdown, Patricia Panther, Courtney Stoddart