Paris Opera Ballet - Play. Large group of dancers dressed in white clothing stand in a group, a female dancer in white is thrown in the air by the group.

Paris Opera Ballet (France)

Alexander Ekman
Play

November 7-27 | Link available for 21 days
Video-on-Demand (VOD) streaming in Canada only.

With French and English subtitles
Run time: 115 minutes

Alexander Ekman turns the historic Palais Garnier into a vast playground where every object is a plaything. Playing makes us happy, and Ekman believes we should always keep that childlike urge to jump into action, and let our imaginations run free. Play combines dance, theatre, music and song into a high-energy spectacle that explores play through the various stages of life. The 36 dancers are encouraged to improvise, to really play with the sets and objects onstage.

The work was created for the Paris Opera Ballet, one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet companies in the world. Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman is known for creating spectacular visual compositions, such as the 40,000 green balls filling the orchestra pit in Play. 

The dancers dive into the pit, transform into forest creatures, and frolic with balls, ropes and large white boxes. Festive and mischievous, the work draws viewers into a whirlwind of invention while asking profound questions about the world. What happens to our games when we grow up? How do we rediscover that desire to play?

 

This Digidance livestream is an initiative of DanceHouse (Vancouver), Danse Danse (Montreal), Harbourfront Centre (Toronto), and the National Arts Centre (Ottawa).

“I love to create worlds that we have never seen before.” — Alexander Ekman

“With its impressive scenography, the piece ‘Play’ marries theatrical play and entertainment.” — Le Monde

“A playground for big kids where burlesque makes fun - gently - of the classic in a salutary spectacle.” — Les Echo

Paris Opera Ballet – Alexander Ekman. Play © Ann Ray.
Paris Opera Ballet – Alexander Ekman. Play © Ann Ray.
Paris Opera Ballet – Alexander Ekman. Play © Ann Ray.
Paris Opera Ballet – Alexander Ekman. Play © Ann Ray.
Paris Opera Ballet – Alexander Ekman. Play © Ann Ray.
Paris Opera Ballet – Alexander Ekman. Play © Ann Ray.

Top photo: Paris Opera Ballet. Alexander Ekman, Play © Ann Ray.