The Théâtre National de Chaillot presents The Ugly Duckling, a new choreographed version of the show inspired by Andersen's fairy tale. According to the artistic dossier, the work is conceived as an "initiatory tale for children aged 5 to 100," addressing the themes of difference, rejection, and self-acceptance. After its premiere in 2021 at the Philharmonie de Paris and a tour, this adaptation returns to the Paris stage in a form combining dance, theater, music, and video.
Étienne Daho composed the original music for the show. The dossier specifies that he wanted to compose a score combining classical orchestrations, recurring motifs, and sounds evoking the world of the fairy tale—eggs breaking, gurgling, and splashing—to accompany the narration. This musical dimension sets the pace for the live show and supports the story brought to the stage by Arnaud Valois.
Sandra Gaudin directs a visual universe inspired by the marvelous. The artistic material evokes an aesthetic close to the imagination of Tim Burton, nourished by Francesco Cesalli's projections that play on materials and silhouettes. Raphaëlle Delaunay, choreographer and performer, structures the character's initiatory journey through a dance style that is accessible to young audiences and understandable to all.
The adaptation of the text, by Arnaud Valois and Héloïse Chouraki, draws on the story's plot to address contemporary issues such as resilience, self-image, and the relationship to difference. The dossier highlights that these themes, present in Andersen's work, find particular resonance in a stage production aimed at both children and adults. This new choreographed version revisits a timeless fable, placing it at the crossroads of dance, storytelling, and music.
The Ugly Duckling can be seen at Chaillot – Théâtre national de la Danse from December 12 to 20, 2025.
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Dates and Opening Time
From December 12, 2025 to December 20, 2025
Location
Théâtre National de Chaillot
1 Place du Trocadéro
75116 Paris 16
Recommended age
From 5 years old
