Mere Mortals

San Francisco Ballet presents a provocative myth for the AI age, in their futuristic retelling of Pandora’s Box.

Open Pandora’s Box and come face to face with the perils of our tech-obsessed age. San Francisco Ballet takes on eternal philosophical questions about the quest for knowledge through the contemporary lens of artificial intelligence.

Returning to the Festival for the first time in over 20 years, this forward-looking company brings its ‘unmatched creative ambition’ (The Washington Post) to the Edinburgh Playhouse stage. San Francisco Ballet’s bold approach is a perfect match for visionary choreographer Aszure Barton, whose works ‘offer an entire world’ (New York Times).

Composer and electronic musician Floating Points (Sam Shepherd) performs his original score live with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. With cutting-edge visuals, the full power of the orchestra in the pit and 40 of the world’s best dancers commanding the stage, this European premiere promises to be a breathtaking spectacle.

0 Stars

A stunning integration of movement, sound, and visuals

San Francisco Chronicle

0 Stars

A work that is spot‑on with the times, edginess, musical synthesis, AI and all.

Bachtrack

Programme

Production Credits

PerformersCloseOpen
  • San Francisco Ballet
  • Floating Points
    Composer
  • Royal Scottish National Orchestra
  • Martin West
    Conductor
Creative & Production TeamsCloseOpen
  • Aszure Barton
    Choregrapher
  • Hamill Industries
    Production Design & Visuals
  • Michelle Jank
    Costume Designer
  • Jim French
    Lighting Designer
  • Carmen Kovacs
    Dramaturg
  • James Gregg
    Collaborative Assistant
CreditsCloseOpen
  • Mere Mortals was commissioned by San Francisco Ballet and had its world premiere on January 26, 2024, at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, California.

Dates & Times