Gothenburg has long been considered a cultural cornerstone for ballet in Sweden. Since 1949, the city’s hosted the Swedish National Ballet School, one of the country’s most prestigious ballet institutions. And as the art form continues to shine here, so too does ‘We call it Ballet’ in Gothenburg. It’s a radiant ballet show where the ballerinas grace the stage wearing gorgeous outfits illuminated by fibre-optic lights. Performing pieces from Tchaikovsky’s timeless The Sleeping Beauty, the talented dancers add a touch of luminous magic to the century-old ballet.
On selected dates over the coming months, Draken Live will be opening its doors for this one-of-a-kind ballet spectacle. Opened in 1956 as a cinema, the venue was transformed into a modern events space in 2023 for unique entertainment experiences just like this one. Tickets are on sale now but spaces are limited, so make sure you get yours today!
What is ‘We call it Ballet’?
‘We call it Ballet’ combines classical artistry with modern technology. This production honours the fundamental components that have made ballet a globally appreciated art form—technical skill, expressive movement and musical interpretation—while adding a new dimension through illuminated costumes. As the dancers move, their glowing attire creates patterns of light that add visual interest to the performance.
Ballet, its storytelling and the show
Ballet has long been recognised for its ability to convey narratives through movement and music. ‘We call it Ballet’ continues this storytelling tradition by presenting excerpts from ‘The Sleeping Beauty,’ where the cursed princess Aurora, the evil fairy Carabosse and the noble Prince Florimund enact their timeless tale of enchantment and love’s triumph.
The technical feature of this mesmerising ballet show is its costume design, where embedded fibre-optic lights coordinate with the music and choreography to support the narrative. This integration of technology works alongside the athletic skill and artistic expression of the performers, offering audiences a way to experience familiar ballet stories with added visual context. At 60 minutes in length, the show provides a perfect introduction to ballet for newcomers while offering enough artistic depth to satisfy experienced enthusiasts.
Get ready to fall head over heels for classical ballet in a whole new way at ‘We call it Ballet’ in Gothenburg. Taking place on selected dates over the coming months, this radiant dance show is shining a new light on The Sleeping Beauty this season.
Each show takes place over the course of 60 minutes and seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis in each zone. Doors open 30 mins prior to the start time and late entry is not permitted, so try to get to the venue with some time to spare.