To create oZe, Ismaël Mouaraki immersed himself in the captivating universe of L. Frank Baum’s legendary tale The Wizard of Oz. Inspired by the fantastic journey of the four protagonists of this literary masterpiece, the choreographer depicts an independent Dorothée, an irresistible lion, a contortionist scarecrow and a charismatic iron man, in a colourful and tumultuous universe reminiscent of the work of the illustrator Olimpia Zagnoli. The four talented and athletic performers bring to life an abstract adventure, where the protagonists become aware of the qualities and resistances buried deep within themselves. Without linearly transposing the novel into dance, the work is nourished and inspired by the themes and identities embodied by the characters, adapting them to our current contemporary realities.

oZe thus invites the audience to reflect on tolerance and acceptance of oneself, others and the world, while addressing notions of risk, abandonment and loss of control. Young and old alike will enjoy this work, for in each of us lies a lion, a scarecrow or an iron man in search of his courage, his heart or his path.