Three performers seen mid-movement with a woman and man interlinking their arms together.

Sydney Festival Contre-nature By Rachid Ouramdane

  • Dance
  • Drama Theatre
  • Run time: 60 minutes, no interval Subject to change
  • Seating map

Australian Exclusive

A sweeping ode to loss.

In Contre-nature, Franco-Algerian choreographer Rachid Ouramdance blends dance and stagecraft to create storytelling magic. Fog wreathes the stage and darkly clad figures sweep effortlessly between floor and air, past and present, transforming movement into questions that strike at the heart: what can anchor you outside of memory? Who will hold you when loss strikes hardest?

For Ouramdane, there’s something profound in the act of holding another person aloft, in the moment of surrender, and keeping both audience and dancers suspended in tension. Exhilarating and tender by turns, Contre-nature feels weightless without ever losing its human centre.

Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels, co-presented with Sydney Festival

Event details

A beauty that is both magical and moving.

Le Monde

They invent a new form of surrender.

Télérama

Credits

By
Rachid Ouramdane
Performed by
Compagnie de Chaillot

You may also like

Copland Dance Episodes

10 – 21 Nov 2026

  • Dance
  • Ballet
  • The Australian Ballet
A group of five dancers posed in bright coloured leotards against a light beige background.

The Nutcracker

28 Nov – 16 Dec 2026

  • Dance
  • Ballet
  • The Australian Ballet
A ballerina in a pink jewelled tutu and tiara mid-pose, against a dark red and grey background.

Attending this event

Practical information about this event, ticketing and visiting. If you have questions or need help, see our general terms and conditions for tickets and events or contact us.

Ticket information

If you have further questions or need help, please refer to our general terms and conditions for tickets and events or contact a member of our team on 1300 764 849.

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Drama Theatre

The Drama Theatre is located in the north-western corner of Sydney Opera House, best accessed through the Western Foyers.

  • Checking availability