A once-in-a-lifetime program of dance works will debut in Sydney this January, featuring 11 international works from countries including France, Belgium, and South Africa. This event marks the southern hemisphere premiere of Dance Reflections, which will showcase a total of 174 performers and crew, significantly expanding the dance offerings compared to previous Sydney festivals.

Highlights of the Program

The centerpiece of the festival will be the acclaimed French choreographer Rachid Ouramdane’s work, Outsider. This performance includes 21 dancers from the Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève and four elite athletes, who will navigate a complex setup of high wires and slack lines, accompanied by the minimalist music of avant-garde composer Julius Eastman.

Outsider will be staged in a newly renovated 720-seat theatre at the Cutaway in Barangaroo, marking the first theatrical performance in this space. Other notable performances include:

  • My Fierce Ignorant Step by Christos Papadopoulos.
  • A double bill by Tao Ye and his company TAO Dance Theatre.
  • A new work from the genre-defying collective (La)Horde, known for collaborations with pop icons like Madonna and Rosalía.

Background and Expectations

The Sydney festival will announce its full program on October 19. This year’s festival is particularly significant as it represents the first southern hemisphere outing for Dance Reflections, which has previously taken place in major cities like London, New York, Hong Kong, and Seoul.