The Shattering of Vases

The Shattering of Vases marks Nicolas Zemmour’s first international creation, a work commissioned and produced by the Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg. This piece draws inspiration from the Kabbalistic legend of the Shattering of the Vessels—a foundational myth that speaks of the dispersion of divine light and humanity’s responsibility to gather these scattered fragments to restore original harmony.

In this cosmogonic tale, the vessels meant to contain primordial light shatter under the intensity of this infinite force, scattering shards into the darkness of the world. This fracture, far from being a definitive fall, becomes a call to repair—a quest for Tikkun, where every being carries a fragment of light to rediscover and reintegrate. Here, dance embodies this dispersion and reunification: each movement is an attempt to mend the broken pieces, to reclaim cohesion from chaos. Bodies, sometimes in tension, sometimes in fusion, become the terrain of a struggle between fragmentation and recomposition, between loss and rebirth. The stage space echoes this original fracture, oscillating between deconstruction and moments of pure harmony, where gesture reveals the vital need to reassemble the scattered, to restore meaning and unity to what was broken.

You will feel the fragility, strength, and beauty of the moving body, driven by raw energy that captivates and unsettles. The spectator is not merely an observer but an actor in a sensory experience where every instant, every contact resonates deeply. Between bursts of powerful movement and suspended moments, The Shattering of Vases offers an intense emotional journey, where human fragility transforms into collective strength. A performance where bodies speak, where emotions are lived through every breath, every interaction. More than a philosophical reflection, this is a true corporeal and sensory experience.

This work marks a milestone in Nicolas Zemmour’s artistic journey, where profound thought merges with unparalleled physical and emotional power. The Shattering of Vases is far more than a performance: it is a moment of pure intensity, a whirlwind of sensations that will leave no one untouched. Belonging to the Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, this piece remains a cornerstone of Zemmour’s choreographic path, testifying to his commitment to creating powerful works rooted in philosophical and spiritual depth.

CHOREOGRAPHY: Nicolas Zemmour

PERFORMERS: Emilie Garetier, Aurore Mettray, Francesco Mormino, Julien Ramade, Annick Schadeck, Nicolas Zemmour

SCENOGRAPHY: Thibaut Magnan

ORIGINAL MUSIC: Wilfrid Rapanakis-Bourg

ORIGINAL TEXT: Nicolas Zemmour

COSTUMES: Laurie Lamborelle

LIGHTING: Nina Schäffer

PRODUCTION: Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg

WITH THE SUPPORT OF: Artist Residency Program; T.E.E.M (Territories of Writing in Motion), a choreographic development structure in Quimper; Le Merlan, National Stage of Marseille; CDC – Les Hivernales, Choreographic Development Center in Avignon; Institut Français du Luxembourg

CO-PRODUCTION: CCN – Ballet National de Marseille, as part of the Accueil-Studio program

PRODUCTION ASSISTANCE AND CREATION RESIDENCY: 3 bis F, Contemporary Arts Venue in Aix-en-Provence

• Technical Sheet of the Performance

• Request for a link to watch the full performance video