Midnight Souls, Carolyn Carlson with Hugo Marchand

0000: Carlson’s Midnight Souls, starring Hugo Marchand, creates a dialogue between dance and Othoniel’s monumental glass sculpture for a hypnotic premiere.

In the monumental Cour d’Honneur of the Palais des Papes in Avignon, dance, sculpture and architecture converge for an exceptional creation: Midnight Souls. Conceived by legendary choreographer Carolyn Carlson, this world premiere unfolds around a monumental installation by sculptor Jean-Michel Othoniel, specially designed for this iconic site.

Created to mark two major anniversaries, 25 years since Avignon was named European Capital of Culture and 30 years of its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Midnight Souls transforms the Cour d’Honneur into a living, poetic landscape. More than 10,000 glass bricks reshape the space, revealing its architecture while hosting three immense ghost-like sculptures made of mirrored stainless-steel bricks. Light, reflection and movement intertwine, blurring the boundaries between body, sculpture and space.

On stage, étoile dancer Hugo Marchand of the Paris Opera Ballet is joined by Caroline Omont and Juha Marsalo from the Carolyn Carlson Company. Their performances unfold to a powerful and melancholic musical dialogue between René Aubry and Philip Glass works, enhancing the hypnotic atmosphere.

Far from a traditional ballet, Midnight Souls is an immersive experience, where choreography responds directly to the visual presence of Othoniel’s sculptures. Conceived in collaboration with the City of Avignon, and the Festival d’Avignon, this program offers to discover two exceptional creations in one of the most exceptional performance stages.

Production year 2026
Genre Live Show
Director Tommy Pascal
Choreography by Carolyn Carlson
Dance style Contemporary dance