Departure: a music and dance performance exploring the themes of death, nature, and the spirit by Movement Artist Masumi Saito & Composer/Musician An-Ting

Why do cultures have long-established funeral traditions? And, what can we learn about death - and life - from these rituals? In Departure, Masumi Saito and An-Ting re-create a funeral ceremony based on their East Asian traditions as a performance; inviting the audience to join in a contemplative space.

Their collaboration intertwines movement and live music to create an emotionally resonant performance, breaking the silence around death. The performance takes the audience into the world of a traditional funeral, exploring the profound memories shared between the living and the deceased, while journeying into an imagined supernatural realm beyond death.

The performance evokes a sense of connection to a greater power beyond ourselves, creating a trance-like experience that transports people to a different level of consciousness. Supported by the Arts Council England, Departure is developed through different R&D stages at the SEEN Festival (Nouveau Riche, Broadway Theatre) and Snape Residency (Britten Pear Arts). The production has been touring since November 2025.