Photo : Marge design
Hammer
Prepare to be swept away as this powerhouse Swedish company makes its French debut with a bold, genre-defying performance. It is a stunning visual and rhythmic commentary on modern life that manages to be both deeply human and wildly imaginative.
Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris 1st)
About
From March 6 to 14, 2027, the Théâtre du Châtelet presents the French premiere of Hammer, an ambitious contemporary dance work by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman. Performed by the thirty-one dancers of the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, this two-act production examines the complexities of modern society, shifting from order to chaos through a humanistic lens. Suitable for audiences aged 12 and over, the performance is specifically adapted for blind or visually impaired attendees. Tickets for this artistic event are available, with prices ranging from 6 to 59 €. It is a unique opportunity to witness one of the most inventive choreographers of his generation.
I don't care what an Ekman piece should look like. I try to stay on my course. In the same way, I try to find the most accurate expression for each performer in a show.
Alexander Ekman,As part of its European tour, the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani presents Hammer at the Théâtre du Châtelet. Performed for the very first time in France, Hammer is the third creation by choreographer Alexander Ekman for this Swedish contemporary dance company under the artistic direction of Katrín Hall. Able to work just as much on the work of his compatriot Ingmar Bergman as with Alicia Keys, and invited all over the world by the most prestigious cultural institutions, the Swedish choreographer has, in just under a decade, established himself as one of the most inventive creators of our time, and he was also entrusted with the creation of the ceremony for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. From the museum to the opera, through theater or cinema, Alexander Ekman plays on all registers with, as a lowest common denominator, a deep sense of wit and great humanity.
Hammer was created in 2022, for and by the dancers of the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani. Coming from twenty different countries, the thirty-one performers serve a monumental work, conceived as a fresco in two acts that questions, not without humor, the wanderings of contemporary societies. From order to chaos, from the individual to the collective, from the sixties to today, Hammer questions the role of technology as well as that of ideology, around a resolutely humanist bias. Composed by Mikael Karlsson, the music for this ballet blends the recorded sounds of the string desk of the Gothenburg Opera orchestra with the synthesized sounds of several keyboards behind which, sometimes, the hands of the choreographer himself hide!
Our take on this event
Under the artistic direction of Katrín Hall, the GöteborgsOperans Danskompani brings Hammer to the Théâtre du Châtelet for its first-ever French performance. Created in 2022 by Alexander Ekman, the work showcases thirty-one dancers from twenty different countries. The ballet is structured as a two-act fresco that reflects on the contradictions of contemporary life, addressing themes of technology, ideology, and the tension between individual and collective identity with a touch of humor.
The auditory experience is crafted by composer Mikael Karlsson, who blends the recorded string section of the Gothenburg Opera Orchestra with synthesized keyboard layers, sometimes played by the choreographer himself. The production is open to viewers 12 years and older and provides accessibility features for blind or visually impaired guests to ensure an inclusive experience.
The performances run from March 6 to 14, 2027, in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Tickets are priced between 6 and 59 €. This engagement represents a significant moment in the European tour of this acclaimed company, offering Parisian audiences a chance to see a work that balances technical precision with deep emotional resonance.
