As part of Galoshans 2026 X Feral Takeover Programme
Hypnotic physical theatre and dazzling production design combine to tell the tale of a doomsday cult, and what happens when belief is shattered.
In a small town in the American Midwest, the disciples of a suburban housewife are convinced that the world is ending. Discover the true story of the world’s first UFO doomsday cult, which led to a groundbreaking 1950s study into the concept of cognitive dissonance.
Award-winning Scottish ensemble Groupwork combines astonishing visuals with hypnotic movement to create a timely performance investigating what happens when cold, hard facts meet the chaotic power of belief.
Described as ‘near-perfect’ by The Scotsman, Groupwork blends movement, voiceover, music and stage and video design to present a woozy, melancholy tale of religious sects, clandestine observers and collective need.
Vicki Manderson and Finn den Hertog’s claustrophobic staging combines with Lewis den Hertog’s visuals and the near wordless interplay of five actor-dancers to create a thrilling exploration of the crisis that follows the shattering of belief.
Groupwork is an award-winning Scottish theatre company founded in 2019 by Vicki Manderson, Finn den Hertog, and Lewis den Hertog to create original, co-created ensemble work. The company draws on popular culture and psychosocial phenomena, from mass psychogenic illness to cognitive dissonance, to explore the uncanny and imagine alternative futures.
Supported by Creative Scotland’s Touring Fund for Theatre and Dance.
C: Captioned
Beacon Arts Centre, Custom House Quay, Greenock PA15 1HJ
The Beacon Arts Centre can be found at Custom House Quay, a short walk from Greenock Central Station or the bus stops on Rue End Street and Dalrymple Street.
Coming by car? The Beacon is about 30-40 minutes from Glasgow City Centre (depending on traffic!)
Free customer parking with designated bays for Blue Badge holders near the main entrance.
Beacon Arts Centre has accessible level access to the venue via a ramp to the front of the building.
Event space (the studio) is on the ground floor.
Wheelchair spaces are on the front row of the studio (on the level of the playing space)
There is a passenger lift for access to the gallery suite level.
All ground floor fire exits have level egress.
There are 3 fire evac chairs on the second level refuge spaces
Building has 18 female designated toilets
4 male
3 accessible
4 gender neutral.
(combination of front and back of house)
