Autumn Equinox: A Luton Henge Double Bill

An outdoor installation and a film premiere, all in one night? Yes, it’s a double bill at the Henge!

Join us on the Autumn Equinox for an outdoor double bill at Luton Henge.

Memorave

Opening the evening is a development of Memorave, originally created by the Marsh Farm Young Collective for Luton Henge Festival 2026. To bring this to life, the Young Collective have worked with internationally renowned public artist, Matthew Rosier and local poet Lee Nelson. Both artists were originally commissioned for Nature Calling – Matthew designed the Luton Henge and Lee wrote a short collection of poems titled ‘Sharpenhoe Begins‘. Together, the group have co-created an outdoor installation incorporating sound, storytelling, film and light projection on the Henge stones.

Like the River Lea

The second instalment of the evening is the premiere of Like the River Lea (Film) conceived and directed by Jean Abreu. A film inspired by Luton, the place, its people and the stories their bodies want to tell. Filmed in Luton’s natural and industrial landscapes the film shares a lens to the migrant experiences of Luton, accompanied by an original music score by Ukrainian music composer and sound artist, Oleh Shpudeiko (Heinali).

Through movement and a poetic visual language, the film invites viewers to rethink misconceptions about Luton. Featuring local participants from across Luton, Like the River Lea reveals the continual flow of change and transformations that Luton has been through since the 6th century during Neolithic times to today.

Watch the Behind-the-Scenes film for Like the River Lea created by Patrick Young here.

The presentation of both works will be followed by a panel discussion inside Marsh House.

About Matt Rosier

Matthew Rosier is an artist who makes public artworks with communities across the UK and internationally. His projects take place in everyday public spaces, using film, sound, projection, performance, and spatial design to create collective moments. While projects are often large in scale, they remain rooted in daily life and local connection.  Matt’s work has been installed in public spaces in London, Paris, Austin, and Tokyo, and commissioned by local authorities including Westminster, Cheshire East, and the City of London, as well as institutions such as Somerset House, Historic Royal Palaces, the National Landscapes Association, British Council Japan, and the UK Space Agency.

About Lee Nelson

Lee Nelson is a writer, poet and educator from Luton, who has been writing and performing poetry for over 30 years.  Lee was the commissioned poet for the Nature Calling project with the Chilterns National Landscape and was co-writer (with Katie Lyons) of Rave New World, a theatrical celebration of Luton’s history of raving and rebelling, co-produced with Tangled Feet in 2025. His work has rhythm and grit, humour and commitment.  Lee thinks that the purpose of art is to change the world. Art makers and those who enjoy art all have a role to play.

About Jean Abreu

Jean Abreu is the Artistic Director of Jean Abreu Dance. Born in Brazil, Jean Abreu moved to London in 1996 to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance. In 2003 he was awarded the Jerwood Choreography Award and became an Associate Artist at The Place in London.

Since then his work has toured throughout the U.K, Europe and Brazil including performances for Royal Opera House, Dance Umbrella Festival, Southbank Centre, Julidans Festival & the Auditório Ibirapuera São Paulo. He founded Jean Abreu Dance in 2009. Across his career Jean has been a movement director for fashion magazines and global advertising campaigns including TikTok, Nike, OutThere Magazine. Jean has taught extensively his movement practice in the UK and abroad in renowned dance organisations and Universities across the globe.

About the Marsh Farm Young Collective