December 2025 : Triumph and Standing Ovations for the Premiere of this New Series of Shows
Béjart Ballet Lausanne achieved resounding success last night at the Théâtre de Beaulieu with the premiere of its new series of performances, presented from 16 to 21 December. Playing to a sold-out house, the audience was deeply moved and exhilarated by this bold program, which masterfully combines Béjart’s legacy with contemporary creation.
Under the artistic direction of Julien Favreau, the company continues to brilliantly pursue its commitment to both transmission and innovation. The evening opened with OSKAR, a creation by choreographic duo Riva & Repele. Received with rapt attention, the work captivated audiences with its delicate poetry, theatrical universe, and the sensitive portrayal of a clown in search of meaning. In the title role, Oscar Eduardo Chacón delivered a performance of remarkable precision, oscillating between fragility, humor, and melancholy. Set to music by Shostakovich and Brahms, the choreography fully won over the audience.
The following creation, Real Love by Andonis Foniadakis, electrified the theatre. Inspired by his years in the 1990s at Le Presbytère, when as a young dancer he was shaped by both passion and learning, the piece pulses with vibrant energy, driven by the music of British band Depeche Mode. Highly technical and performed on pointe, it combines classical elegance with incisive fluidity. The work features dancers with sculpted bodies, whose expression of femininity and sensuality gives rise to pas de deux of striking intensity. Greeted with fervent ovations, Real Love stands out as a dazzling celebration of youth, movement, and the desire to love.
To conclude the evening, the company paid a highly anticipated tribute to its founder with The Firebird by Maurice Béjart, presented for the first time in Lausanne in its original version. This masterpiece of rare symbolic power — struggle, death, rebirth — profoundly moved the 1,600 spectators in attendance. In the role of the Firebird, Hideo Kishimoto took on this iconic part with remarkable virtuosity and sensitivity, combining technical mastery with artistic intensity. The final scene, enhanced by the entrance of the “little birds” surrounding the Phoenix, created a moment of overwhelming emotion.
Standing ovations, palpable emotion, and the audience’s fervent response marked this opening night, confirming the public’s deep attachment to Béjart Ballet Lausanne and the strength of a program in which tradition and creation engage in a dialogue of rare intensity.
This new series is already shaping up to be one of the highlights of the season for dance lovers and devoted followers of the company — a few last tickets are still available to experience this exceptional program.
