Ballet de Lorraine: Acid Gems and a Folia

Forget everything you know about traditional ballet – this show is all about neon vibes, ancient parties and explosive movement.

Adam Linder’s Acid Gems is like a classical ballet that’s been plugged into a neon socket. Inspired by the famous 1960s ballet Jewels, Linder takes those elegant, sparkly traditions and gives them a 21st-century makeover. This is a high-energy, colourful and kaleidoscopic mashup of sleek ballet, gritty street dance and theatrical drama. 

In Marco da Silva Ferreira’s a Folia, take a trip back to 15th-century Portugal for a folk party so wild it was named after the word for ‘madness’. A dance of pure ecstasy and rebellion. It’s a total celebration of being loud and free. This piece blends ancient fertility rituals with modern club culture. Imagine a mix of traditional folk steps and contemporary urban grooves, exploring how a massive party can actually change the world.

Adam Linder was born in Sydney and is based in Berlin. His practice focuses on the specifics of dance and how different forms or genres relate to notions of technology, desire, value and power. Across all of Linder’s stage works is a Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art) approach that synthesises scenography, costume, light, sound and text.

Marco da Silva Ferreira was born in Santa Maria da Feira. His path was self-taught through dance styles that flowed in an urban context with Afro-descendant influences. In 2010, he won the TV contest So You Think You Can Dance – Portugal and has since become an associate artist at the likes of Teatro Municipal do Porto and Maison de la Danse in Lyon.