The event has been described as a multidisciplinary showcase responding to the current social and political climate through theatre, music, poetry and performance.
Co-curators and co-directors Cora Bissett and Hannah Lavery said: “Given the times we are living in, where division is being fuelled by dangerous and deliberately misinformed rhetoric, we feel deeply and personally connected to this rapid response project.
“We are living through an age of fear: extreme racism and anti-migrant sentiment are being normalised, human rights attacked at every level, climate injustice accelerating, and ordinary people struggling to meet even basic needs.
“We’re thrilled to curate an event that will bring together bold, fierce, insightful and creatively galvanising voices from across Scotland, an urgent celebration of our shared humanity that challenges the rising tide of hate, calls for solidarity, inspires change and imagines a more compassionate future.”
The programme features original short plays by playwrights including Apphia Campbell, Hannah Lavery, Uma Nada-Rajah and Sara Shaarawi.
Comedian Sanjeev Kohli will perform a new sketch reflecting on the cultural legacy of his iconic character Navid from Still Game.
The event also includes live music from Declan Welsh, Soapbox and Djana Gabrielle, who will perform Dala in tribute to Beldina Odenyo (Heir of the Cursed).
Other highlights include a creative collaboration between musician Kathryn Joseph and dancer Kassichana Okene-Jameson, featuring visuals by Lucas Chi-Peng Kao, choreography by Joan Clevillé and direction by Cora Bissett.
Janice Parker will lead a performance response to Talat Yaqoob’s International Women’s Day speech from March 2026.
Dawn Sievewright will perform No a Weans Choice, the powerful anthem from the stage show Glasgow Girls, composed by Cora Bissett.
Reuben Joseph will deliver a new interpretation of Robert Burns’ A Man’s a Man.
The event is produced by National Theatre of Scotland.
Mayday begins at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm.
