Terrarium

Terrarium (2012 – 2013)

(noun)
A sealed transparent globe into which small animals, insects, or plants are placed for observation.

Terrarium was a visually captivating and immersive outdoor dance performance that took place inside a 4.5-metre diameter transparent globe. Within this intimate and sealed environment, dancers become specimens of their own microcosm, evolving, flourishing, and waning like strange creatures or plants. This unique performance explored themes of metamorphosis and transformation, with intricate choreography that embraced design and location.

The experience of Terrarium appealed to audiences of all ages. Described as “beautiful and mesmerising” and “a feast of sight and sound,” the work invited viewers into a world where art, nature, and movement collide. The performance was set within a 30-metre diameter circle of ambisonic speakers, enveloping the audience in a bubble of immersive music and sound while the dancers perform inside the globe.

A Fusion of Art Forms

Directed by Simon Lewis Birch in 2012, Terrarium fused movement, set, and costume design. The work featured original music by composer Jon Hughes, with costumes designed by the late Becs Andrews. This synergy of elements created a work that felt both organic and otherworldly, highlighting the delicate balance of life and change.

A Journey Through Space and Landscape

Terrarium has been performed in a variety of outdoor locations, from the clifftops of Bedruthan Steps in Cornwall to the urban backdrop of Devonshire Square in Central London, beneath the shadow of the iconic Gherkin. It was showcased at a range of festivals and events, including:

• Dance Republic 2’s SALT landscape/dance festival
• Big Dance, Leeds
• imove, Sheffield
• Hull’s Freedom Festival
• City of London Festival

The work has also toured the breathtaking landscapes of North York Moors National Park and Cornwall.

The Vision Behind Terrarium

The concept of Terrarium is rooted in the idea of observation—of nature, of change, and of the delicate interplay between living beings and their environments. The dancers were not just performers but were themselves part of the landscape, enclosed within the globe as both an object and a subject of study. Their movements mirrored the cyclical nature of life, growth, decay, and transformation, offering audiences a moment to reflect on their own relationships with the world around them.

Whether performing amidst the rugged beauty of the moors or the bustling energy of city streets, Terrarium captivated and provoked, inviting viewers into a space where movement, sound, and environment merge to create something truly unique.

Director: Simon Lewis Birch

Producer: Sarah Shead at Spin Arts

Dancers: James Southward, Debbi Purtill, Daniel Masserella, Riccardo Meneghini

Composer: Jon Hughes

Costume Designer: Becs Andrews

Supported by Arts Council England, North York Moor National Park, Yorkshire Dance, DR2