Ancient Futures

Unlimited Theatre and Upswing present
ANCIENT FUTURES

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

Opening 24th May 2023 at Corn Exchange, Newbury

Premieres May 2023 at Brighton Festival before touring to Godiva Festival (Coventry), BD: Festival (Bradford), Stockton International Riverside Festival, Leeds 2023 and Greenwich & Docklands International Festival among others.

Ancient Futures is co-produced by Unlimited Theatre and Upswing. Ancient Futures has been supported by Without Walls and commissioned by LEEDS 2023; Greenwich and Docklands International Festival; Brighton Festival and Stockton International Riverside Festival. Ancient Futures has also been supported by Coventry City Council. Co-commissioned by City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council for BD:Festival. Creation supported by 101 Outdoor Arts. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England. The R&D for Ancient Futures was supported by a Blueprint R&D Investment Fund.

Photo by Breda Louise Glavin

Both a headline festival experience and a pop up installation Ancient Futures fuses dance, circus, parkour, music and storytelling with design inspired by West African masquerade and Afrofuturism.

Our flamboyant Afrinauts arrive as curious visitors to each festival and through the course of the day, build an encampment where they welcome willing participants to meet them, train with them and witness their unique community. At twilight, audiences are 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.

Photos from Research & Development at 101 Outdoor Arts (Dec 2022) and draft ‘white card’ design of the set for Ancient Futures by Becky Minto

A Black woman with long black braids and a white man with curly salt and pepper hair and glasses sit next to each other, smiling broadly. A blue sky with a few clouds.

Conceived and directed by J Spooner (Unlimited) and Vicki Dela Amedume (Upswing) in collaboration with Quantum poet Oneness Sankara with new music by grime artist Afrikan Boy.

The Ancient Futures team are currently in rehearsals at 101 Outdoor Arts. You can find some photos below of what we’ve been up to and follow us on all the socials for updates!