Taroo is a Parkour and circus show telling the everyday story of what happens in streets across the world. With a fusion of acrobatics, Chinese pole and urban street moves, this show is not all that it seems. Performed and created by Moroccan circus artist Said Mouhssine – a free runner, stage director, actor and stunt performer – expect Mouhssine’s distinctive brand of circus comedy and Parkour movement.

Crying Out Loud and Taroo

In 2023, and with local partners we developed different versions of Taroo.

The London version of Taroo was developed in partnership with the Shubbak Festival and the Babylon Migrants Project. It was performed in multiple public squares and neighbourhoods in London and in Liverpool as part of the Liverpool International Festival.

The Portsmouth version, along with the Ventnor Fringe dates, collaborated with Funk Format, and included young local people adding an exciting new live element enhancing the show’s experience (see videos for an example of the workshops).

The work was also presented as part of the Liverpool Arab Arts Festival and, in 2024.

Taroo in Bradford as part of the BD:Festival

Building on the previous Taroo projects and an initial R&D visit by Said Mouhssine to Bradford in 2023, the development of Taroo in 2024 delved deeper into and built the on the association and engagement with local street cleaners in Bradford.

During a 3-day Bradford residency period, Said Mouhssine of Company Zid connected with Bradford’s working street cleaners and the local waste services. Together they explored his work, the origins of Taroo and shared stories and experiences to inform the development of a digital project for Bradford in 2025. The aim was to build connections, initiate collaborations and share experiences. Lead Digital Artist Thomas Buckley collected a wide range of digital material, including audio and video interviews with participants, watch here.

Said Mouhssine also performed the Taroo (solo) outdoor show as part of BD:Festival 2024.

Produced in partnership between BD:Festival and Crying Out Loud

Credits

Taroo has support from Institut Français Maroc, La Cascade Pôle National des Arts du Cirque Ardèche-Rhône Alpes, Le Prunier Sauvage, Compagnie Cabas, Cirkeole, La Passerelle, scène nationale de Gap, Ecole de cirque nationale Shems’y Maroc and Mlles F.