A group of people dance energetically among tall, colorful hanging ribbons on a dimly lit stage, while others sit and watch from the edges. A group of people dance energetically among tall, colorful hanging ribbons on a dimly lit stage, while others sit and watch from the edges.
Six performers in long black costumes and elaborate red and white headdresses pose dramatically on stage, whilst another person stands behind them. Stage equipment and cables are visible in the background. Six performers in long black costumes and elaborate red and white headdresses pose dramatically on stage, whilst another person stands behind them. Stage equipment and cables are visible in the background.
A tall, abstract sculpture is draped in colorful, patterned fabric strips that extend outward on the floor in different directions, set against a dark background. A tall, abstract sculpture is draped in colorful, patterned fabric strips that extend outward on the floor in different directions, set against a dark background.
A person in a gray outfit and colorful, beaded hat plays a flute while kneeling on a dimly lit stage, with patterned fabric strips on the floor and several people seated in the background. A person in a gray outfit and colorful, beaded hat plays a flute while kneeling on a dimly lit stage, with patterned fabric strips on the floor and several people seated in the background.

Touring: The Divination Palace | A UK/Catalan co-production

The Divination Palace is a scalable performance installation inspired by African art and music.
  • Dates: This scalable performance installation is available for tour booking in the UK and Internationally.

Available to Tour: A multi-sensory performance & participatory installation.

Inspired by the power of divination and art as tools for navigating life, The Divination Palace invites audiences into a unique, multi-sensory world where music, movement, and fabric intertwine to create a contemporary ritual of reflection and connection.

  • Scalable and adaptable
  • Suitable for indoors/outdoors; galleries, theatres, festivals, site-specific

Each presentation becomes a shared experience between artists and audience: an unfolding act of divination, creativity, and connection.

Across Africa and beyond, divinatory practices have long played a central role in how people understand destiny, community, and change. Drawing on these traditions, The Divination Palace reimagines these ancient ideas for a modern setting — blending live performance, sound, and visual installation into an immersive experience that invites participation and contemplation.

SHORT FILM TRAILER: The Divination Palace (2mins 22 secs)

Developed by Dr. Jim Parris (UK), artist and academic, in collaboration with Xumo Nounjo (Cameroon/Catalonia composer/performer), Anthony Missen (formerly Creative Director, Company Chameleon), Kadafi Mulula (performer, Company Chameleon) and a team of leading Global Majority artists and academics.

The Divination Palace is scalable and adaptable, making it suitable for a wide range of venues and contexts — from galleries and festivals to theatres and site-specific environments. Each presentation becomes a shared experience between artists and audience: an unfolding act of divination, creativity, and connection.

To discuss booking The Divination Palace to tour to indoor and outdoor locations, contact maggie@xtrax.org.uk

The Divination Palace stems from Jim Parris PhD research into African art and its connections to divination, music, and ritual practice. Other creative collaborators who have developed the project include Dr Olu Taiwo (University of Winchester), Charles Lauder (Director), Josephe Cocles (Painter/Visual Artist) and Tommy Scribbles (Designer).

Photo credits: The Divination Palace © David Juvanteny

Commissioned by Teatre Principal d’Olot. R&D supported by 101 Creation Centre, Manchester International Festival and Arts Council England. Produced by XTRAX. Funded by Arts Council England.

 

 

 

 

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Touring Film Trailer

The most fundamental aesthetic principle in Africa concerning music or anything else is that without participation there is no meaning – you can go so far as to consider African music as being a form of co-operation that happens also to produce sound.
Andrew Tracy