The Whispering Forest

Date: 6th March 2025

The Whispering Forest is a mixed reality reimagining of an ancient Yoruba tale that explores our relationship with the natural world through music, movement, storytelling, textiles and immersive technology.

At its heart is a battle between Ijapa the Tortoise and the Forest Spirits, reflecting humanity’s ongoing struggle with an ever-shifting environment. Drawing on eco-critical Yoruba mythologies, the work asks what we can learn from nature’s resilience, wisdom and remarkable capacity for renewal.

As composer, I was delighted to collaborate with a brilliant team of artists, performers, designers and technologists to bring this magical world to life. Together we created an experience where ancestral stories meet contemporary technologies, inviting audiences to step into a space of wonder, reflection and possibility.

The project was researched and co-produced by Dr Donatella Barbieri and Ben Turnbull and presented in partnership with London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London. Through collective creativity and innovation, The Whispering Forest celebrates the enduring power of storytelling to help us imagine more connected and sustainable futures.

Photo Credit: UAL