REVIEW: MAYDAY - An Act of Coming Together Through Art

©️Photo by Kat Gollock

Mayday, an evening by Hannah Lavery and Cora Bissett, brings together featured artists and bands across genres, creating a powerful response to the current social and political climate.

Every performance was incredibly strong; each one left a deep impression. The first half of the evening felt heavy and direct, almost uncompromising in its urgency. The second half gradually shifted into a more playful and humorous tone in several works, offering contrast and release. The overall programming was tightly structured and fast-moving, leaving little room to pause. Lucas Chi-Peng Kao’s video design and live band Isaac Savage (keyboards/vocals) / Adam Scott (bass) / Djana Gabrielle (guitar/vocals) / Signy Jacobsdottir (drums and percussion) / MJ McCarthy (musical direction) also played a key role in connecting the different sections of the evening.

The Loud & Proud Choir resonated throughout the hall, accompanied by archival material that traced the history of LGBTQ+ communities and the choir itself in Scotland. The choir spans multiple generations, and their collective sound was incredibly powerful. Some moments were genuinely moving to tears. Mother Against Genocide was presented in a documentary form, telling the story of how the organisation supports mothers in Gaza. It was deeply affecting and grounded in real urgency.

©️Photo by Kat Gollock

Sanjeev Kohli’s comedy took a humorous yet sharp approach, using the perspective of a corner shop owner to explore race, identity, and belonging. It highlighted how people often react first to appearance, only to realise later how much common humanity we actually share. A simple idea, yet one that is so often overlooked. Apphia Campbell's The Official Version, performed in the style of a museum tour guide, examined the concept of democracy as constructed in the United States. Performers included Lola Aluko and Samuela Noumtchuet. Interwoven between the performances were musical contributions from Kitti, Dawn Sievewright, Djana Gabrielle, Reuben Joseph, Kassichana, Soapbox, and Okene-Jameson, each voice bringing something distinct and beautiful to the evening.

Special mention must go to the two sign language interpreters, Yvonne Strain and Geg Colquhoun, who brought every performance vividly to life. Several audience members in front of me were completely engaged throughout and even took the time to thank them at the end.

One small drawback was that the Central Hall’s acoustics were not ideal for spoken word; audiences on the upper level in particular noted issues with sound reflection. It would also have been helpful to have a printed programme outlining who was performing each segment, rather than just a list of people.

Overall, the evening felt loud, urgent, and powerful, especially on the eve of the election. It reflected Scotland’s diversity and inclusivity in a striking way. At the end, all performers and musicians came together on stage for a final chorus. Hannah and Cora stepped forward and said, “Let’s do some sh*t!” Perhaps, in the end, that is what the purpose of art really is.

©️Photo by Kat Gollock

★★★★★

For more information, please visit: https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/mayday

Credits

Featuring

Poet: Shasta Hanif Ali
Performer: Lola Aluko
Performer: Charlene Boyd
Writer & Performer: Tia Boyd
Performer: Neil Bratchpiece
Performer: Adam Buksh
Performer: Leah Byrne
Writer: Apphia Campbell
Choreographer: Joan Clevillé
Performer: Tyler Collins
Performer: Simon Donaldson
Performer: Kathryn Joseph
Performer: Reuben Joseph
Performer: Kitti
Writer & Performer: Sanjeev Kohli
Writer: Hannah Lavery
Poet: William Letford
Performer: Loud & Proud Choir
Performers: Mothers Against Genocide
Poet: Michael Mullen
Writer: Uma Nada-Rajah
Performer: Melody Nehme
Performer: Samuela Noumtchuet
Performer: Kassichana Okene-Jameson
Performer: Adura Onashile
Performer & Choreographer: Janice Parker
Writer: Sara Shaarawi
Performer: Dawn Sievewright
Performers: Soapbox
Performer: Declan Welsh
Performers: Women Against the Far Right Scotland

Co-curators and Directors: Cora Bissett
Co-curators and Directors: Hannah Lavery
Sound Designer/Musical Director: MJ McCarthy
Guitar/Vocals: Djana Gabrielle Koumenda
Keys/Vocals: Isaac Savage
Bass: Adam Scott
Drums and Percussion: Signy Jakobsdottir
Video Designer: Lucas Chih-Peng Kao
Filmmaker: Joanna Pagan

Production Manager: Gemma Swallow
Company Stage Manager: Natalie Rowan
Deputy Stage Manager: Reegan Graham
Assistant Stage Managers: Sunita Hinduja / Valerie Rickis / Hannah Titley
Producer: Lesley Anne Rose
Assistant Producer: Leah Byrne
Lighting Designer: Sulie Wood
Lighting Technicians: Matthias Krook / Clara Anderson
Venue Manager: Ally Whait
Sound: The Warehouse

Front of House Staff: Tiger Mitchell / Alex Medland / Lola Rose Wood / Austin Savill / Fiona Stoddart / Claudia Overton / Clark Wallace / Lorna Blair