Performance category: Past shows

Performers in 'Fall to Fly', woman in white flowing costume suspended from a harness over white rope cage structure.
2019

FALL TO FLY explores a different way of talking about and perceiving young women’s mental health: specifically self-harming, depression.

Fall to Fly

By collecting testimonials, we gave a clear and potent voice to a number of young women who use self-harm as a coping mechanism to numb pain. We looked at why they do it, their recovery processes, and how to maintain balanced mental health through empowering change.

 Exploring a metaphorical language of shadows, because the stigma of mental health is often associated with not being seen or heard. 

Researched in collaboration with Dr Martina Di Simplicio & Prof Ian Goodyer. 

Supported by Arts Council England.

Image by Alice Delva, video by Sky Neal.

Performer in red costume suspended in hoop
2011

Heartland was a collaborative performance with Candoco Dance Company and acclaimed author Nicky Singer (Feather Boy).

Heartland

Heartland was a collaborative performance with Candoco Dance Company and acclaimed author Nicky Singer (Feather Boy). Exploring a story of imprisonment and freedom, and the longing for the lands of home and heat. Heartland is based on the Minotaur/Icarus legends. 

Commissioned by WITHOUT WALLS.

Supported by Arts Council England.

Images by Ben Hawley, video by Pedro Machado.

“The concept and performance are really beautiful”

Bradley Hemmings, Artistic Director GDIF Festival

Performer in red costume suspended in hoop
performer in angelic white costume stands in a large tree
2006

Shimadai was a site-specific performance journey through woodland.

Shimadai – when orchids fly

Stepping in and out of visual and aural landscapes, Shimadai depicts heartfelt portraits of generations of women; what brings them together and draws them apart. 

Image and video by Katia Beltrame.

“I had the most enchanting evening watching Shimadai last night. Evocative of memories long forgotten and something much more, which deeply moved me to silence.”

Audience Member

Performer suspended upside down adorned with hanging cloth
2002

Turbulent Landscapes inhabited the Natural History Museum’s Jerwood Gallery for five-months.

Turbulent Landscapes

Turbulent Landscapes inhabited the Natural History Museum’s Jerwood Gallery for five-months. The performance immersed the gallery in movement, performers moving, spinning and floating above the heads of the exhibition’s visitors.

Commissioned by the Natural History Museum.
Supported by RALP.

Image by Daniela Essart.

“Yet again, an extraordinary performance from Scarabeus. We always seem to present you with the impossible and you always make it look so effortless.”

Gabby Campbell-Johnson, NHM Public events programmer

Two performers suspended in air in front of an illuminated backdrop
2002

Landscapes of the Heart, a large-scale co-production with Piano Circus, was a visual and theatrical exploration of the emotional relationship between cities and their inhabitants.

Landscapes of the Heart

Landscapes of the Heart, a large-scale co-production with Piano Circus, was a visual and theatrical exploration of the emotional relationship between cities and their inhabitants. Pianists with their pianos and aerial performers were suspended on buildings, boats and other unusual locations.

Supported by ACE, Jerwood Foundation, Gulbenkian and the PRS Foundation.

Image by Gabriella Piccaluga.

“Scarabeus creates an assault on the sense which is uplifting and transporting, real beauty and theatrical power. A visual and intellectual feast.”

Total Theatre

1998

Arboreal – living in trees is inspired by Italo Calvino’s evocative works The baron in the trees and the Crocach Crannah reforestation project (North Coast of Scotland).

Arboreal

Arboreal – living in trees is inspired by Italo Calvino’s evocative works The baron in the trees and the Crocach Crannah reforestation project (North Coast of Scotland). A large scale immersive performance exploring the connections between communities and outsiders, the environment and identity, with a strong ecological message.

Supported by EU Kaleidoscope Award, Scottish Arts Council, London Arts Board and South East Arts.

Image by Gabriella Piccaluga.

“A sense of strange, tantalising magic, captivating and uplifting.”

Herald Scotland

Fata Morgana, Winner of Best Concept Award at Stockton International Festival, was a stunning theatre, circus and dance performance exploring the theme of mirage and visual illusions.

Fata Morgana

Three dancers dressed in white robes posing in front of black background

“Scarabeus dance enwraps their audience in an illusionary atmosphere.”

Shizuoka Press, Japan

Gliding in their elegant white costumes…..catch them while you can, because-like a mirage-they are quick to pass.

Image by Ray Massey, video compilation by Jym Daly.

1987

Scarabeus Aerial Theatre’s first performance work, using a combination of different dance genres and comedy to develop a comic parody of the ballet ‘Swan Lake’, performed entirely on stilts. 

Ballet-Tico Fantastico

Images by Ute Klaphake.