XXL (2026) by Sofiane Chalal

Challenging traditional dance aesthetics, dancer and choreographer Sofiane Chalal explores the body as both partner and adversary. His hip-hop dance performance XXL addresses the thorny issue of being seen as overweight in society. Rather than hide behind euphemisms and concealment, XXL centres ‘non-standard’ bodies to dismantle pejorative labels and celebrate a journey towards acceptance and recognition. Chalal plays with paradoxes—combining power with precision, force with lightness and banality with achievement. Drawing from everyday attitudes and personal backgrounds alongside the struggles of restricted mobility and the harsh weight of societal judgement, Chalal weaves a powerful physical vocabulary. Despite tackling the pain of exclusion, XXL is conceived as a lighthearted piece; through the spontaneity of its performers, a chain of diverse personalities come alive on stage. Chalal embraces excess, generosity and the contagious power of laughter to present a performance that soothes both the body and soul.