The Shadow of Blanca Li: Dance and Mixed Reality at the Théâtre Juliette Récamier

L’Ombre by Blanca Li returns in a new form in Paris. Presented at the Théâtre Juliette Récamier, this production inspired by a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale brings dance, live and electronic music, video, lighting and mixed reality into dialogue with technologies developed by Ircam.

The story centers on a scientist who grants his shadow the chance to come to life and act independently. The relationship eventually reverses: the shadow gains autonomy while the human is gradually pushed into the dark. Blanca Li reimagines this tale in a staging where real bodies meet a virtual environment.

This 2026 version builds on a project presented at the ManiFeste festival in 2025. This time, the audience watches the performance seated, with dancers from the Blanca Li Company and percussionists Florent Jodelet or Arthur Bechet performing in rotation. The original music is composed by Édith Canat de Chizy.

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Blanca Li is responsible for the concept, staging, and choreography. Vincent Chazal oversees the visual direction, Charles Carcopino handles the video, Pascal Laajili the lighting, Laurent Mercier the costumes, and Tao Gutierrez the sound design. Serge Lemouton oversees the computer music production for IRCAM.

The EDF Group Foundation presents this revival of The Shadow as part of its Dance in the Light season.

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