ANCHORED world premiere of new site-specific outdoor aerial dance performance by Scarabeus Aerial Theatre presented by LV21 for Estuary 2025.

As a light vessel, LV21 was historically an aid to safe navigation at sea along the Kent coastline, to serve as a landmark and refuge in case of need.

Boats are referred to as female, but traditionally women on board bring bad luck! With a whole female creative crew, ANCHORED subverts outmoded paradigms and brings to life the softness and tenderness of caring for each other aboard this historical vessel.

As the sun sets on the Mid Summer’s evening, the audience is beckoned to gather on the shoreside at Anchor Wharf, where the aerial performers, through a highly visual and impactful choreography enhanced by an atmospheric soundtrack and bespoke lighting design, create connection between the ship and the shore, and inhabit various outdoor upper deck and infrastructure elements of the ship. They create a series of moving images and sequences at height, aimed at broadening and shifting conventional perspectives, using the unique features of the historic lightship.

A collaboration between the LV21 and Scarabeus Aerial Theatre, Anchored is a site responsive performance inhabiting the body and soul of the vessel. It aims to provoke surprise and questioning, sadness and joy. To offer an immersive visual and aural experience to the audience. To create an immediacy in their response. To leave a legacy in people’s heart and memory.

In solidarity with refugees, oppressed and displaced people around the world, this performance is a call to action. LV21 was the focal point and the refuge for people at sea. In ANCHORED LV21 becomes the vessel where two women refugees are rescued, nurtured and offered a place of safety. Every and each individual in the world has the right to a place of safety. Subverting stereotypes our captain is a woman who rescues two refugee women, who will become her crew, and in turn dedicated to rescue people lost at sea, highlighting values such as kindness and shared responsibility.

Scarabeus Aerial Theatre has for over 35 years created visually arresting and transformative performances. Their work merges aerial skills with visual theatre and choreographed movement in site-specific, immersive and touring performances.

They conjure into existence thought provoking, unforgettable productions and participation projects dealing with contemporary narratives, aimed at awakening empathy and ethical consciousness in our wide range of audiences.

Lighting designer Azusa Ono creates environments exploring the boundaries of conventional frameworks by broadening and shifting perspectives.