Xiqu Centre, West Kowloon Cultural District | Internationally Acclaimed Choreographer Rachid Ouramdane's Work, Corps extrêmes, Presented by West Kowloon

Description

The West Kowloon Cultural District (West Kowloon) is pleased to announce that the Hong Kong premiere of Corps extrêmes, a French dance poem created by internationally acclaimed choreographer and director of Théâtre National de la Danse de Chaillot, Rachid Ouramdane, will be staged at the Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre from 30 May to 1 June 2025. Together with the renowned Italian tightrope walker Luca Chiarva and world-famous American rock climber Ann Raber, among 10 aerial artists and extreme sports athletes, Ouramdane will present a zero-gravity aesthetic that defies physical limits and soars through the air.

Supported by Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels, the international tour and Hong Kong premiere of Corps extrêmes is part of Le French May 2025. Tickets are now available at the West Kowloon website.

Corps extrêmes blends extreme sports, acrobatics and contemporary dance to rekindle the connection between humanity and nature

Corps extrêmes is a masterful blend of extreme sports, acrobatics and graceful bodily movements that explores the boundaries of freedom and gravity. The performance features a cast of 10 members, including the Italian tightrope walker Luca Chiarva, who has collaborated with the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil; American rock climber Ann Raber, the oldest female climber to conquer a v13 route at 37 years old; and eight aerial artists who continuously push the limits of the human body, presenting a zero-gravity aesthetic through their suspended, floating, leaping and soaring movements.

Raised in the French Alps, the internationally acclaimed choreographer Rachid Ouramdane grew up surrounded by nature and witnessed extreme sports athletes taking on formidable challenges. This inspired him to delve into the deeper motivations of these challengers, leading him to discover that they sought not only sensory stimulation but also a deeper connection with nature through their extreme pursuits. Corps extrêmes is not merely a showcase of physical prowess, but a dialogue between art and nature that invites the audience into a world of sensory and emotional resonance, prompting a re-examination of humanity's relationship with nature.

Since its premiere at Le Grand R theatre in La Roche-sur-Yon, France, in 2022, Corps extrêmes has received critical acclaim on its international tour and was named one of the best dance performances of 2023 by The New York Times. Le Monde described it as a 'dangerous, vertiginous meditation', while The Guardian praised it as 'mesmerising and spectacular, a glorious celebration of sport'. Featuring majestic natural landscapes, intertwined with the performers' narratives and silhouettes, and accompanied by ethereal and awe-inspiring music, Corps extrêmes takes the audience on a journey through the heavens and the earth, offering a meditative experience of freedom.

Embodying a creative philosophy of inclusivity and acceptance, Rachid Ouramdane is adept at focusing his works on diverse communities. Since 2021, he has been the director of Théâtre National de la Danse de Chaillot, one of France's six national theatres and the only one dedicated to dance. In 2024, he and the acrobats of the XY Dance Company conceived Möbius Morphosis, a new performance for the 'Cultural Olympiad' of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Ouramdane frequently collaborates with world-renowned dance companies such as ballet de l'Opéra de Lyon, Migrazia (Russia), Candoco Dance Company (UK), Ballet de Lorraine and Ballet of the Grand Théâtre de Genève. In 2023, he brought Les Traceurs to the West Kowloon outdoor stage as part of Fly, a co-production by West Kowloon, Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels and Le French May, featuring 10 aerial artists performing heart-stopping tightrope walking and high-difficulty movements on the Art Park's Great Lawn.

Tam Cheuk-man, Executive Director, Performing Arts of West Kowloon, said, 'I believe Rachid Ouramdane's challenge to the laws of gravity refers not only to his unique and vibrant creative style that combines extreme sports with dance, but also to his outstanding achievements as director of Théâtre National de la Danse de Chaillot. Before Corps extrêmes, a work that blends dazzling acrobatics with stunning artistic vision, West Kowloon audiences were captivated by his masterpiece Les Traceurs at the Art Park in 2023, which led us to invite him back to our stages. Following Deepstaria by Sir Wayne McGregor last year, Corps extrêmes will be the highlight of West Kowloon's dance programme this year, building momentum for the upcoming opening of the West Kowloon Performing Arts Centre, which will focus on dance performances.'

Ticket and Package Discounts

A family package discount of up to 25% is available for the purchase of two standard tickets and at least one concessionary ticket for the same performance and price category in a single transaction. A group booking discount of up to 20% is available for the purchase of four or more standard tickets in a single transaction.

Images 1 to 5: Rachid Ouramdane / Compagnie de Chaillot: Corps extrêmes (By Pascale Cholette)

Image 6: Rachid Ouramdane (By Benjamin Mangelle)