ULTIMA VEZ / WIM VANDEKEYBUS
Infamous Offspring
Suitable for 12+ years
1h50
Flemish choreographer Wim Vandekeybus returns to La Villette with his new work, a variation on the modern family inspired by Greek mythology. A stage performance combining cinema, dance, and text.
Infamous Offspring embraces all possible variants of myths to imagine a family portrait in which the divinities become projections of human experiences. Actors Daniel Copeland and Lucy Black are Zeus the father and Hera the mother, appearing only on a screen as distant, inaccessible parents. At their side, flamenco dancer Israel Galván plays Tiresias, family friend, the blind prophet who communicates with the performers on stage only through body language. The couple’s offspring forms a composite family, caught between ambition and weakness. Contortionist Iona Kewney plays Hephaistos, blacksmith of the gods, whose characteristics she translates using an imaginary language, while the divine brothers and sisters are played by young dancers who offer a contemporary interpretation of Greek mythology. Wim Vandekeybus orchestrates their sensual, expressive movements, and the poetess Fiona Benson wrote their lines. Infamous Offspring weaves these languages together into a spectacular visual narrative.
Some scenes may be disturbing for younger viewers.
With the heatwave underway, we recommend coming prepared: water bottles and fans are welcome inside the venue.
À cour et à jardins
Discover 3 gardens of the Park in 30 minutes
Take a 30-minute stroll through our gardens before attending an outdoor show or film screening. Guided by a park expert, you’ll walk along the cinematic promenade designed by architect and urban planner Bernard Tschumi, explore hidden corners, and learn about the local wildlife and plant species that call this place home.
The tour will end at either the Grande Halle or the Prairie du Triangle, where the rest of your evening awaits.
Saturdays: 28/06 at 5pm, 05/07 at 5pm, 12/07 at 5pm, 19/07 at 5pm, 26/07 at 7pm, 02/08 at 7pm, 09/08 at 7pm, and 16/08 at 7pm
Free visit upon registration at https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1wEZfcFw_RjqVv1x5WjbgZQg5mqb (important: please specify your selected date)
The Malakoff Humanis Disability Foundation supports accessibility projects at La Villette.
Direction and choreography Wim Vandekeybus Co-created and performed by Iona Kewney, Maria Zhi Tortosa Soriano, Lotta Sandborgh, Cola Ho Lok Yee, Samuel Planas, Rakesh Sukesh, Paola Taddeo, Adrian Thömmes, Hakim Abdou Mlanao Text Fiona Benson Music Warren Ellis/Dirty Three, ILA.
Sound design of the film Arthur Brouns Artistic assistance and dramaturgy Margherita Scalise Costume design Isabelle Lhoas Scenography Wim Vandekeybus Set realization and advice Schröder, Pepijn Mesure, and KVS Sound engineer and live video operator Schröder Lighting design Wim Vandekeybus and Benjamin Verbrugge Light on tour Benjamin Verbrugge Production Heleen Schepens – Distribution Julia Bouhjar Mythology consultant Nadia Sels Thanks Jerry Killick, Matteo Principi Photos Wim Vandekeybus, Danny Willems Film and recording : Director Wim Vandekeybus Screenplay Wim Vandekeybus and Fiona Benson Performed by Israel Galván, Daniel Copeland, Lucy Black, Thi-Mai Nguyen, Cola Ho Lok Yee, Iona Kewney, Paola Taddeo, Pieter Desmet Film produced by lesmecs, Ultima Vez First assistant director and visual director Fernando Vandekeybus DOP Dries Vanderaerden Art direction Jara Vlaeminckx/cachet Make-up Tine De Sauter Costumes Isabelle Lhoas
Production Ultima Vez Co-production Teatro Comunale Di Ferrara, Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, KVS
With the support of the “Tax Shelter” of the Belgian federal government, Casa Kafka Pictures Tax Shelter authorized by Belfius.
The company Ultima Vez benefits from the support of the Flemish Community and the Flemish Community Commission of the Brussels-Capital Region
Practical information
Grande Halle
Metro
Line 5 - Porte de Pantin station
Tramway
Line 3b - Porte de Pantin station
Bus
Bus 75, 151 - Porte de Pantin stop
Parking
Q-Park
Philharmonie
Q-Park
Cité de la Musique - La Villette
Q-Park
Cité de la Musique - Conservatoire
Parking
Cité des Sciences
Bike Chap
Vélib' docking points
Bike racks
Bike racks are available inside the Espace Chapiteaux area. You may leave your electric bike there with the battery attached.
- This venue is accessible to people with reduced mobility (PRM). Please contact 01 40 03 75 75.
- Performance with surtitles
- Induction loops available on demand on-site
- Performance in English with French subtitles.
- Light food and refreshments available on-site before the show in the Grande Halle.
- Several dining options available in the park before or after the show, discover them HERE.
In the press
Media partners
Partner
