An Afrofuturism inspired outdoor spectacular blending contemporary circus and storytelling with Sound System culture and West African folklore.

I conceived and co-directed this outdoor show with Vicki Dela Amedume. Commissioned by multiple festivals and city councils, Ancient Futures combined dance, circus, music and storytelling with design inspired by West African masquerade and Afrofuturism.

Our fabulous Afrinauts arrived at festivals as curious visitors from another dimension, inviting willing participants to meet them, train with them and witness their unique community. Audiences were invited to join their spectacular dance party, a ritual to launch us into a new reality that promises to build a more vibrant, positive and inspiring future than we might otherwise be heading towards.

Premiered May 2023 at Brighton Festival before touring to Hat Fair (Winchester), Godiva Festival (Coventry), BD: Festival (Bradford), Stockton International Riverside Festival, Greenwich & Docklands International Festival (London) and Millennium Square (Leeds) as part of Leeds 2023.

For more info visit the dedicated show page.

Photo by Paul Blakemore. Video by Helm Films.