A sparkling personality on the contemporary dance scene, Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman has been invited for the first time to work with the dancers of the Paris Opéra Ballet. His language, both visceral and tinged with humour, combining theatricality, and classical and contemporary vocabulary alike, perfectly resonates with the incredible versatility and stage presence of the ballet: the result is Play, a piece that evokes the world of childhood and its careless pleasures. But beyond pure entertainment, this performance contemplates the meaning and the importance of play when we become adults...

Best known for the spectacular quality of his pieces and their dreamlike imagery, like for instance his Midsummer Night’s Dream (released on DVD and Blu-ray by BelAir Classiques), the Swedish choreographer fills the stage of the Palais Garnier with an entrancing energy. The metallic structures, dancers suspended in space, and the elevations are but a few of the powerful images that will strike the audience’s imagination!

For this new creation, Alexander Ekman worked with his acolyte composer Mikael Karlsson, but also with a talented team of instrumentists not often seen on the stage of the Palais Garnier, among which gospel singer Callie Day, or the incredible drummer and marimbist Adelaïde Ferrière. An unexpected performance, carried along by enticing rhythms and communicative energy!

‘I like creating worlds that have never been seen before’ –  Alexander Ekman

‘Crazy originality’ – Les Echos

‘Comic mischief’ – Culturebox

‘Thrilling’ – Bachtrack

Choreography, sets and costumes: Alexander Ekman
Costumes: Xavier Ronze
Lighting design: Tom Visser
Videographer : T.M. Rives
Choreographer’s Assistant: Ana Maria Lucaciu
Strategic Advisor and Dramaturge: Carina Nildalen
Set Design Assistant : Claire Puyenchet

Recorded in HD at the Palais Garnier (world premiere) in 12/2017
TV direction : Tommy Pascal