23 September 2025
Newsdesk
Choreographer Sung Im Her is bringing her new work, 1 Degree Celsius, to the UK for a limited tour in November. The piece is a response to recent global heatwaves, including those in the UK and her native South Korea, and uses light and sound inspired by rising temperature data to explore the urgency of climate change.
The performance, which features seven dancers, addresses themes of consumerism and convenience culture. Dancers will be dressed in clothes they no longer wear, and their movements will trace paths inspired by city skylines. The production's score, created by Belgian collaborator Husk Husk, is based on data reflecting rising atmospheric temperatures, while the lighting design also syncs with the earth's warming. This minimalist approach to set design reduces material waste, underscoring the work's core message of sustainability.
Her’s work challenges audiences to consider whether their daily lives are truly sustainable and what legacy they are leaving for future generations. "Through this work, I hope that audiences feel the urgency of climate change," she said. However, she also aims to inspire optimism. "I want people to leave the theatre with a positive outlook and for it to spark conversations about our children’s futures that we often find difficult to have."
1 Degree Celsius is a timely and thought-provoking piece that combines art and science to create a compelling narrative about our planet’s future. The UK tour includes dates at The Lowry in Salford on November 4, the Southbank Centre in London on November 6, and FABRIC in Birmingham on November 8.
