A newly created education resource for Hannah Lavery’s Lament for Sheku Bayoh, alongside the filmed version of the production (filmed last year at the Lyceum Theatre) will be made freely available to schools in Scotland via the National Theatre of Scotland’s, soon to be launched, new education portal.

Acclaimed co-production Lament for Sheku Bayoh, a powerful and artistic response to the tragic death of Sheku Bayoh, will be presented live on stage at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh during the Edinburgh International Festival from 25 to 28 August and online from 25 to 31 August as part of Edinburgh International Festival At Home in partnership with abrdn. 

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 aspects of Scottish cultural 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.

Clementine Burley said

“Discussions of racism and racial violence when handled sensitively can lead to shifts in understanding. The material in this resource aims to support educators to more safely explore in mixed racial groups the wider social, historical and political aspects of Scottish identity"

Additional digital resources for schools, also available from the 25 August will include the National Theatre of Scotland and Hopscotch Film’s filmed production of Adam, commissioned for BBC Scotland and BBC Arts which tells the remarkable story of a young trans man and his struggle across genders and borders to be himself.

New productions and resources will be added to the portal throughout the year.

Secondary schools in Scotland will receive an invitation to the portal when schools return mid-August. The portal will launch on 25 August.

Paul Fitzpatrick, Head of Creative Engagement said

“We are thrilled to be able to open up the digital doors to National Theatre of Scotland to offer teachers and students across Scotland access to high quality filmed productions and bespoke digital resources created especially for the Scottish education sector

Our new education portal will officially open in August and we look forward to be able to share our work with educators and young people nationwide to help facilitate access to the arts, learning and discussion."

For further information about the portal please contact Gillian Gourlay – Learning and Outreach Manager – gilllian.gourlay@nationaltheatrescotland.com

Lament for Sheku Bayoh is a co-production with the Edinburgh International Festival and the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh.

Full information on Lament for Sheku Bayoh at Edinburgh International Festival here