An immersive journey into light, sound, movement — and kinship with a more-than-human world.
We are the Children of the Compost.
Journey into our forest of light, sound and movement; and imagine new ways of living and dying together.
This is no ordinary performance. It’s a space to slow down, to listen, and to feel. As you move through the flickering forest, you’ll encounter shifting sounds, living bodies, and quiet acts of care. You may be invited to dance, to rest, to witness. Nothing is expected. Everything is shared.
This immersive ritual invites you to compost the past and care for each other in a world shaped by uncertainty. Come with an open heart and curious feet. The forest is waiting.
✦ What Happened…
Day 1 – Making Kin (Saturday 25th October)
11am–5pm — Family Mask Painting Workshop
Hands-on mask painting activities for all ages!
Facilitated by local artist Rachel Jones the workshop provided all the materials needed to decorate premade masks with animal faces. The masks were then used as part of the ritual performed in The Round Tower later that same day.
6pm–8pm — The Opening Ritual
At dusk, the Children of the Compost opened a space for encounter — with each other, with the dead, with the more-than-human. The audience were welcomed to witness, wander, or be drawn into the dance.
We invited you to step inside the Round Tower and discover Rituals for Earthly Survival — an immersive world of light, sound, and movement. Guided by the Children of the Compost, you wandered through a living forest where shadows whisper, voices echo, and time bent. This was not theatre to watch, but a ritual to enter: a space for care, reflection, and imagination. We invited the audience to come as you are, stay as long as you wish, and leave with questions.
Rituals for Earthly Survival was an immersive artwork that transforms the Round Tower into a living forest of light, sound, and movement. Created with dancers, artists, and the Children of the Compost, it invited you to step inside, slow down, and imagine new ways of living together on a fragile planet.
Day 2 – Compost Time (Sunday 26th October)
11am-1pm — Rituals in Motion (workshop)
For two special hours, the Rituals for Earthly Survival installation became a living, breathing space. Guided by creative lead Kate Jones, you were invited to move, play, and respond to the shifting sounds and visuals around you. All ages were welcome. No experience needed — just curiosity, comfort, and a willingness to explore.
1:30pm–3:30pm — Biotronics Interactive Installation
Computer generated images and natural sculpture by: Orange and HMP
An interaction between technology, nature and humans, biotronics looks to explore the themes of how we as humans affect the natural world around us, and how we can influence and shape that world.
Our interaction with nature can be either harmonious or disruptive. For centuries we lived with the land, worked it, and were at equilibrium with it. It gave us life, it gave us shelter, and in return we gave it ourselves as food for the cycle of life. As we have moved towards capital interests and the pursuit of profit we have upset this cycle and our interactions are now more abrupt, disruptive, and destructive. But through careful cultivation, we can promote growth and harmony once more.
Biotronics shows us, using clear visuals, how we as humans can influence this natural world. This is reflected in how short bursts of interaction with the natural material, creates ripples and turbulence within the structure, whereas careful and deliberate interaction creates and encourages growth.
1:30pm-2:30pm — Moving Rituals (talk & Q&A) – SQUARE TOWER
Choreographer Kate Jones and creative producer Roy Hanney met in the historic Square Tower for a special talk and Q&A exploring the origins and ideas behind Rituals for Earthly Survival. Together they reflected on how the project began, the inspirations that shaped it, and the collaborative process of bringing Butoh dance, sound, and immersive installation into dialogue with questions of ecology and survival. The audience were invited to take part in the conversation, ask questions, and discover more about the thinking and practice at the heart of the Rituals journey.
4pm–6pm — The Closing Ritual
A final gathering. The Children of the Compost closed the ritual. Inviting the audience to become a witness, a participant, or simply present for the ending — and what may begin again.
✦ About the Project
Rituals for Earthly Survival brings together UK and Japanese arts in a unique fusion that spotlights Butoh and fosters cultural exchange. Initiated by Japanese Butoh artist Yumino Seki, with sonic artist Rusty Sheriff and video artist Kim Balouch, the project promotes mutual understanding through community-based performances and workshops.
✦ Practical Info
📍 Location: The Round Tower, Broad Street, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2LY
📅 Dates: The ritual unfolded over two days — Saturday 25th October and Sunday 26th October 2025.
🕰️ Entry: Free admission. If the space is full, a one-in-one-out system was be in place.
♿ Accessibility: Ground floor access was wheelchair accessible. Toilets available. Some historic areas may be restricted.
🐾 Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a lead.
🎟️ Booking: No booking required — but come early during peak times to avoid waiting.
✦ Come as you are
We’ll be waiting.
✦ Credits
Kate Jones steps forward in the role of Choreographer to lead this new iteration of the ritual. Once a dancer within its first unfolding, trained under Yumino Seki, she now carries the choreography at the heart of the work. Rooted in the language of Butoh and shaped by the forest’s memory, Kate brings clarity, care, and vision to the movement of the Children of the Compost. Under her direction, this ritual grows, shifts, and finds new forms. She is supported by a constellation of collaborators, whose names will be shared as the circle expands.
Producer: Roy Hanney
Sonic Artist: Rusty Sheriff
Video Artist: Kim Balouch
Choreographer: Kate Jones
Dancers: Kate Jones, Caroline Broadbent, Anna Barzotti, Olana Light, and Lydia Perifanou.
Project Manager: John Ashlin
Scenography: Alice Kristina-Rose
✦ Thank you to…
The Hotwalls Studios and Portsmouth City Council for gifting the use of The Round Tower to the project and enabling us to stage this second ritual.
To City Arts Portsmouth for encouragement and confidence in our capacity to take this project a further step forward.
