The National Theatre of Scotland is set to continue its new work over the coming months, with an innovative mix of live streamed theatre and digital projects, including two new productions from leading Scottish creatives Hannah Lavery and Adura Onashile, both addressing urgent contemporary and historical issues around race in Scotland today.

While theatres remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Company will continue to produce dynamic creative projects, offering entertainment and participation for audiences and ongoing employment for artists over the next six months.

Highlights from the digital strand will include a new dramatic podcast, a musical celebration of Oliver Emanuel and Gareth Williams’ powerful The 306 Trilogy, the return of Theatre in Schools Scotland, the announcement of three new Associate roles within the Company, and more. The Company’s rehearsal and technical centre, Rockvilla, will be opened for limited access including socially distanced rehearsals of its work from October 2020.

Jackie Wylie, National Theatre of Scotland Artistic Director:

“The National Theatre of Scotland, as a theatre without walls, continues to adapt its model and innovate to ensure we can continue to connect with audiences across Scotland and beyond over the coming months, whilst theatre auditoriums remain closed.

What theatre as a medium can do best is react urgently to the issues facing us a nation. I am pleased to announce that we will be bringing two important pieces of work to theatrical life; both speak urgently to the times we are living in by exploring current and historical issues of race, identity, and social justice, as well as blending the live experience through digital platforms. Lament for Sheku Bayoh, led by Hannah Lavery, will be streamed with partners the Lyceum Theatre and Edinburgh International Festival from the Lyceum’s stage, while Adura Onashile’s Ghosts will be experienced by audiences via their smartphones on a live walk through Glasgow’s Merchant City.

We are also offering online dance clubs for elders, digital theatre with live interaction for school children, podcasts, a profound new music album for Remembrance Day, and other exciting digital and educational partnerships.

It gives me great pleasure to announce the appointment of three new creative associates with the Company: Hannah Lavery, Johnny McKnight and Wezi Mhura. Creating work for freelancers and artists remains a priority in these challenging times for the theatre industry in Scotland.

Partnership now, more than ever, is of vital importance to us and we continue to work side by side with theatres and other like-minded organisations in Scotland to offer unity and strength in our joint creative endeavours.”

Streamed Theatre

A Live Immersive Audio-Visual Experience

Digital Strand

Creative Engagement

Johnny McKnight (writer, director and performer) and Hannah Lavery (spoken word artist and playwright) have been appointed Associate Artists with the Company, and Wezi Mhura has recently joined the Company in the role of Creative Associate.

Images of Adura Onashile, Jackie Wylie and Hannah Lavery by Eoin Carey.