Paros, Naxos, Syros, Kalamata, Sparta, Astros, Nafplio, Xylokastro, Tripoli, Pylos, and Ancient Olympia will be the stops of the Greek National Opera Ballet’s tour from 4 to 27 July 2025, featuring the sci-fi dance show Future Cargo, which is performed in a futuristic 40-foot haulage truck. This co-production between the GNO and The Place, London, along with its tour to Greece, are made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) [www.SNF.org] to enhance the Greek National Opera’s artistic outreach.

As part of the 31st Kalamata International Dance Festival and its outreach programme “Dance in Cities of the Peloponnese”, which is being implemented for the fifth consecutive year in collaboration with the Region of the Peloponnese and the municipalities of the participating cities.

Future Cargo, a work by Frauke Requardt & David Rosenberg, delivers the delicate integrity of a deeply intimate experience within a large-scale dance spectacle. The show takes place inside a 40-foot haulage truck, which appears to be carrying a mystery shipment. As the sides roll up, its unusual stage is revealed – a transparent polycarbonate plastic window that allows audiences to see inside.

The GNO Ballet dancers perform on a moving conveyor belt, showcasing a fascinating movement language that explores the concept of performing within an extremely confined space. Audience members receive a pair of headphones upon arrival, allowing them to hear inside the container and experience the show’s immersive music as well as the world within in a unique way. This special show is a captivating blend of surreal reality and everyday life elements.

Future Cargo is designed to be performed only in open-air locations (such as squares, streets, parks, etc). Its two creators have received acclaim for their original performances, which take place outside conventional theatre venues, either in outdoor locations or within temporary structures. These are highly visible, unique events that engage a wide and diverse audience in a distinctive format.

The 50-minute show targets both contemporary dance enthusiasts and those seeking new experiences through the arts. It also serves as an ideal way of introducing the art of dance to younger audiences.

Future Cargo is aimed at audiences of all ages. Visually and audio-led, with a unique sense of humour, this show appeals to audiences who may have never engaged with the art of dance before. Future Cargo’s tour across Greece by the GNO Ballet, supported by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, primarily aims to provide the regional public with the chance to experience dance through an original and visually stunning spectacle.

As the creators of Future Cargo, Frauke Requardt & David Rosenberg, note: “We envisage creating an impossible internal space that defies the preconception of the viewer. We want to invite an audience into a world they never thought possible.” The production’s set and costumes are designed by Hannah Clark. Ben & Max Ringham are responsible for the music and sound, while the lighting design was created by Malcolm Rippeth.

Future Cargo is the first co-production between the GNO and The Place, London’s creative powerhouse for dance development that has been leading the way in dance training, creation, and performance for 50 years. The Place’s vision for the future is to power imagination through dance, champion new ideas, embrace risks, and create a dance ecosystem unlike any other in the world, with optimal conditions for dance artists and enthusiasts to realise their full potential. It is also home to London Contemporary Dance School, and runs an extensive theatre and artist development programme, education projects, a range of classes and courses, and a nationwide touring model.