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Dancers float like jellyfish in the abyss in new Wayne McGregor show

Choreographer Wayne McGregor’s extraordinary new show, Deepstaria, is inspired by the marine life of the deep ocean

By Rowan Hooper

28 February 2025

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Wayne McGregor’s Deepstaria is inspired by ocean life

Ravi Deepres

Deepstaria

At Sadlers Wells in London until 2 March, then touring

Deepstaria is a genus of deep-sea jellyfish, rarely seen, mysterious and delicate yet predatory. It is usually found between 600 metres and 1750 metres beneath the waves. It is also the favourite jellyfish of choreographer Wayne McGregor, who has constructed a new show inspired by marine life.

The backdrop of the set at Sadler’s Wells in London is made of Vantablack, a pigment consisting of carbon nanotubes that absorbs more than 99.96 per cent of light. You…

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