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Le Bal de Paris

Blanca Li Dance Company

— ,Barbican Theatre
Two dancers embrace while wearing animal-themed masks.

Step inside a glamorous Parisian ballroom in this stunningly original virtual reality show, as a timeless love story unfolds around you in an unforgettable experience from choreographer Blanca Li.

Music and dance merge with groundbreaking VR and body-tracking technology as you’re invited to the biggest party in Paris. Dance, move and interact with real-life performers and other guests as you follow a heartwarming love story across breathtaking locations including a monumental ballroom and a magical garden party. At the end of the virtual experience you’ll have the opportunity to learn some of the dances with the Blanca Li team.

Developed by world-renowned Spanish choreographer Blanca Li, Le Bal de Paris won the Lion of the Best VR Experience from the 78th Venice International Film Festival. With digital costume design by fashion house CHANEL, the virtuosic musical score by Tao Gutiérrez takes you on a journey from classical waltz to a rip-roaring wild Cancan finale. You’ll enter a universe as poetic as it is fantastic.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Theatre and Dance Winter 21/22 Theatre and Dance Spring 2022

Approx 1 hour 15 mins, no interval
Age guidance: 14+ (strictly no under 10’s)
Headset audio is in English (French and Spanish also available)

This is an interactive Virtual Reality experience with live performers.

You will need to be comfortable wearing a VR headset and tracking sensors on your arms and legs while moving for the duration of the experience. We recommend dressing comfortably with no high heels, and no long dresses or skirts (which might interfere with the sensors).

For headset comfort, it’s also useful to avoid wearing long hair in a high ponytail or high bun and it's fine to wear glasses or contact lenses throughout.

VR may not be suitable for people with some health conditions, including during pregnancy. Please check with your doctor if you're unsure. If you have any questions regarding access requirements, please contact the Theatre team at [email protected]

Presented by the Barbican
Supported by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni

 

Creative team

Blanca Li Design, libretto, direction and choreography
Tao Gutierrez Original music and musical direction
Vincent Chazal Direction of visual creation
Chanel Costumes
BackLight Studio Virtual Reality Development

Ticket prices

Members and Members Plus enjoy 20% off ticket prices for this show.

No booking fee. Discounted tickets subject to availability.

Become a member.

Corporate Members enjoy discounted ticket prices to this performance.

2 tickets max per booking.

Become a Corporate Member

£10*

Aged 14–25? Join Young Barbican for free.

Subject to availability. 

Young Barbican tickets are available to book in advance at the following performances:

2 April:10.30am and 11.30am
3 April: 10.30am and 11.30am
5 April: 5pm and 6pm
6 April:  5pm and 6pm
7 April: 5pm and 6pm
9 April:  10.30am and 11.30am

Wheelchair spaces, free companion seats may now be booked online. 
Please select the relevant preferences on the access registration page during your booking so we can provide you with the correct information and discounts. 

Booking a wheelchair ticket: Select a seat displaying the wheelchair user icon and then select wheelchair user ticket type. The ticket will be priced at the lowest price for that event. If you need an essential companion, please select the E icon next to the wheelchair space you have selected. 

Booking essential companion tickets: Please select at least two tickets and one of them will be automatically discounted to zero in the basket. 

Students
A limited number tickets at 50% off are available on Wednesday performances for students. Proof of valid Student ID must be shown on the door. 

Groups
Groups of 10+ can save 20% on bookings. Contact [email protected] to make a group booking.

All discounts are subject to availability at the discretion of the Barbican Box Office and can be withdrawn at any time. Discounted tickets cannot be booked in conjunction with any other discount or offer and are not available on lowest price tickets.

*Excludes £3 booking fee

Reviews

‘A groundbreaking artistic experience, that the audience will remember forever.‘
Iñaki Ferrera, FanFan
‘Frankly, I haven’t seen anything else like it in VR.‘
Kathryn Yu, No Proscenium
‘It is very exciting to see how people enjoy it so much.‘
Custodio Pastor, El Pais

Discover

In rehearsal: Le Bal de Paris

In rehearsal: Getting ready for the ball

Watch as choreographer Blanca Li and the professional dancers rehearse for Le Bal de Paris. You'll wear VR tracking equipment that will allow you to step into a magical virtual world of music and dance with our live performers.

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