In a celebration of heritage and our connection to the natural world, Return to the Forest blends dance and puppetry to create an immersive production for families and children aged 8+. Audiences are invited into a museum where precious objects are kept to be seen but never touched. But as dusk falls, the precious objects stir, seeming to call to the last remaining visitors, yearning to be free. Return to the Forest explores how heritage is not something to be locked away, but a living, breathing force that requires respect and care. Marking their 30th anniversary, Theatre-Rites reunites with award-winning South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma (The Global Playground, Manchester International Festival 2021) to deliver their signature style of experimental theatre for children.

Return to the Forest is a high-energy performance that guides audiences in promenade moving them from the museum to an enchanted forest. Through powerful movement and mesmerising puppetry, Return to the Forest follows five performers out of the museum and back into nature, magically transported by precious objects – including an Ishoba, an ancient map and a Gelede mask – which are yearning for their freedom. With a surveillance camera watching at all times, the daring questors stage a heist. But can it really be one when the objects are leading the way? In a tale of curiosity and transformation, this production offers children and families a playful, thought-provoking exploration of what we value, how we protect it and who our heritage belongs to.

Return to the Forest makes its World Premiere at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International who also run the biennial Manchester International Festival, before opening in London at Sadler’s Wells East.

Director of Return to the Forest and Artistic Director of Theatre-Rites Sue Buckmaster said, “I feel honoured to have this opportunity to co-create once more with Gregory and a brilliant collaborating team. It feels very special to be able to make an original performance which is for children and adults to share and experience together. I am super excited to combine some contemporary masquerade and puppet figure concepts with exquisite dancers. I hope the experience will offer the artists involved and the audiences who attend, a precious moment to ponder on and celebrate the importance of the interdependence of nature and human nature.