A performer in a white coat and visor sings and strums an acoustic guitar mid-stride, flanked by ensemble members playing cellos under bright beams of light.

The Backstage Theatre, Mountview2026

Mockingbird 1

The Production

An original sci-fi folk musical for actor-musicians, with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Ip in collaboration with The Daywalkers Collective. As Earth becomes uninhabitable and humanity is evacuated in order of importance, the musicians are the last to leave, asking whether art needs humanity at all. Staged at Mountview's Backstage Theatre in Peckham, London.

37 photographs in the curated edit

Director: Shane Dempsey
Associate Director: Naomi Moffat-Cook, Emily Rogers, Jem Tyler
Musical Director: Jonathan Ip
Movement Director: Julia Cave
Lighting Design: Sherry Coenen
Set & Costume Design: Rhyannon Richardson
Sound Design: Sonum Batra
Photography: Steve Gregson

A wide view of the ensemble in translucent white coats and dark visors playing guitars and cellos under crossing white and violet beams.

A performer in a white coat and dark visor sings while holding a saxophone, bathed in deep red light.

Six performers in white coats and visors stand with harp, cello, guitar and saxophone on a circular floor under warm red and pink light.

A performer in an orange shirt, patterned tank top and pink socks sits on the floor looking upwards in cool blue light.

A performer in braces leaps across the stage between two hooded figures in white coats standing on boxes.

A performer kneels in a pool of light as another figure stands with hands on hips in a lit doorway in the curved set behind.

A performer in a translucent hooded raincoat and visor stretches both arms wide between two other performers.

A smiling performer sings into a microphone while playing an acoustic guitar in front of white panels painted with dancing figures.

Two performers in red tops sit back to back, one holding a violin, smiling in warm light.

A performer sings fiercely into a handheld microphone surrounded by ensemble members raising a trombone and saxophones.

A performer in a mesh top sings with mouth wide open, one arm flung upwards, holding a music stand.

A performer with a sunburst acoustic guitar looks out in surprise beside a bass player in a hat and long coat.

A violinist strides forward across a circular stage between performers crouching with flutes, under bright overhead lights.

A large group of actor-musicians poses with guitars, accordions, flutes and a bass in a tight tableau.

A performer in a red shirt and knitted tank top dances, holding hands raised with a performer in a patchwork apron.

A performer in a pinafore dress throws up both hands with an exaggerated shocked expression as another performer smiles behind.

A performer in a striped T-shirt crouches forward with a wary expression while a figure in an orange jacket recoils behind.

Two performers lunge low with grimacing faces as another falls backwards on the patterned floor.

A performer with a red hair bow plays violin in blue light beside a guitarist in a checked shirt.

A performer lies on a blue-lit floor of curved lines with arms raised, as seated musicians watch from the edges.

A performer kneels centre stage with arms flung wide and head tipped back in blue light, flanked by seated flute players.

Two performers sing into microphones while holding hands beneath an arch of fairy lights.

A performer holding an acoustic guitar reads from a small notebook while another performer looks on over his shoulder.

A performer in braces holds the neck of a guitar to his chest with a startled expression against a dark background.

A performer in a grey high-necked top sings upwards, her face lit against a dark blue background.

A performer in a hat and patterned shirt sings and plays a guitar, surrounded by ensemble members in hooded raincoats and visors.

Two performers on hands and knees lean towards each other across the floor, their hands almost touching.

A performer in a mesh top and buckled boots sits hugging her knees on the floor, looking up.

A wide view of two performers standing at the edges of a large circular floor pattern in warm amber light.

Hooded figures in translucent raincoats crouch in a ring under teal and violet light as one performer stands raised at the back.

A performer stands above a group of crouching hooded figures in raincoats, lit in green and violet.

A performer in a white raincoat lifts dark glasses from her face while holding a sticker-covered acoustic guitar.

Two performers embrace in front of panels painted with dancing figures, one wearing a red beret.

Three figures are silhouetted against glowing doors framed by an arch of fairy lights.

A performer in a white coat and visor plays a cello with a sweeping bow arm, surrounded by the ensemble under stage lights.

The full ensemble in white coats raises their arms and instruments towards the lights on a circular stage.

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Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Peckham2026

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