"PLAY" was created for the Paris Opera Ballet Company by Alexander Ekman, the Swedish choreographer outstanding in the contemporary dance scene. For its global stage premiere in 2017, it thrilled audiences with its fantastic and astonishing stage performance, and the latest run of this highly praised production returned to the Palais Garnier from December 2024 to January 2025.

"PLAY" is choreographed, staged and costumed by Alexander Ekman, who gained global recognition as the 2024 Paris Paralympics opening ceremony director and choreographer. As he explains, "I always try to find subjects that most of us can relate to. When we are kids, playing feels natural and normal, but as we grow older many of us stop playing, then there is almost an uncomfortable feeling around it. I wanted to create a work that sparks questions and makes people reflect on their own relationship with play."

The first act explores the natural state of "play," reminiscent of childhood, while the second act delves into the adult world, where we often lose touch with our playful spirit and become consumed by serious routines. Ekman notes, “play is quite timeless. No matter what’s happening in the world, we can always turn to the present moment and create happiness through play."

On stage, 43 talented dancers bring vibrant energy to the performance, using various play props like jump ropes and rubber balls. The show surprises and delights audiences with smiles and excitement while also challenging them with profound questions and encouraging deeper awareness.

For this 2024-2025 run, dancers have been newly casted, while the 2017 founding creative members from Alexander Ekman (Mikael Karlsson (music), Xavier Ronze (costume design), Tom Visser (lighting design), Calesta "Callie" Day (singer) are coming back and take in charge their key parts.

The contemporary ballet show "PLAY" gives us an opportunity to awaken our sense of genuine “play” such as innocent games & natural groove