GUSTAVIA, the Royal Swedish Ballet

A lost royal tale reimagined in motion: Gustavia brings Gustav Couschi’s extraordinary life to the stage with boldness and grace.

Gustavia is a powerful new creation by the Royal Swedish Ballet, inspired by the true story of Gustav Badin Couschi, an enslaved child brought from the West Indies to the Swedish royal court in the 1750s.

Far from a passive figure, Couschi navigated a world of rigid etiquette and racial prejudice with intelligence, wit, and defiance. Through expressive choreography and striking stage design, Gustavia explores themes of power, rebellion, and identity, shedding light on a long-overlooked chapter of European history.

This ballet is more than historical reflection: it is a provocative work that questions norms, challenges narratives, and brings a forgotten voice to centre stage.

Performed by the Royal Swedish Ballet at the peak of its artistic form, Gustavia is both a bold artistic statement and a tribute to resilience.

English title GUSTAVIA, the Royal Swedish Ballet
Genre Live Show
Recording location The Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm
Production year 2025
Duration 145'
Video format HD
Production Company Elzevir Films
Distribution TV Auditorium Films
TV Director Guillaume Klein