Programmes

VR Interactive Dance—Le Bal de Paris de Blanca Li

Welcome to Le Bal de Paris. Created by the award-winning Spanish choreographer and film director Blanca Li, Le Bal de Paris is a groundbreaking immersive VR and interactive dance experience designed for 10 spectators and two live professional dancers. Awaken your senses as you are immersed in this glamorous event from the moment you arrive at the venue. Wander through a lush garden party and enjoy an enchanting river cruise through the city at sunset. And travel through a timeless and touching love story set against scenes inspired by iconic locations in the City of Love.

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VR Interactive Dance—Le Bal de Paris de Blanca Li

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The 53rd HK Arts Festival ．Feature

2025.01.03

Dance the Night Away in a Virtual World at Le Bal de Paris

Text / Natasha Rogai

"I wanted to do something that had never been done before—and that couldn't have been done even five or 10 years ago," Spanish choreographer Blanca Li says when asked what inspired her create the groundbreaking production Le Bal de Paris de Blanca Li (Blanca Li's Paris Ball).

One of the most exciting trends in the performing arts industry is the increasingly imaginative and innovative use of virtual reality (VR) technology. Expanding the horizons of artists, VR technicians and audiences alike, it's producing a torrent of new ideas and dance is at the forefront of the movement.

Much like the creators of No reality now, another outstanding example of how dance can be revolutionised by VR that's also featured at the 2025 HKAF, Li has come up with a new concept which breaks down the boundaries between live performance and VR, and brings the audience into the heart of the show.

Winner of the Best VR Experience at the 78th Venice International Film Festival, Le Bal de Paris takes audience members on a thrilling journey, transporting them to the fabulous world of a timeless, romantic Paris not just as spectators but as active participants through the magic of VR.

While No reality now breaks new ground by allowing the audience to navigate freely between watching a performance simultaneously live and in VR, Li has created a "collective experience" in which audience members move through actual physical space and become part of the action in the virtual world, instead of experiencing it from their seats.

Equipped with a mini computer, VR headset and earphones, participants control what happens to them in the virtual universe simply by using their bodies—if you take a step forward, so does your avatar.

©Justine Cannarella

Combining dance, music and narration, Le Bal de Paris enables audience members to mingle and interact with the dancers as they enact an epic love story which unfolds over three acts. Each participant can select the character they wish to play, choose which stylish Chanel costume they will wear and see themselves in the mirror in a virtual dressing room. Guided by the dancers who perform the principal roles, they will visit a succession of enchanted spaces—a magnificent ballroom, a garden and a nightclub—as well as crossing a lake on a boat and taking a ride on a tram.

Li wanted to make the show a "joyous experience". And after the VR section ends, you are welcome to stay on and keep dancing in the real world.

VR Interactive Dance—Le Bal de Paris de Blanca Li

Date：Feb 27- Mar 9, 2025

Venue：Studio Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural Centre