Disappearing acts, slow-motion interludes and captivating illusions

LEANING TREE blew both audiences and critics away when it premiered at the Royal Danish Playhouse last year. The performance combines dance with newly composed symphonic music created by one of the Danish music scene’s new strong compositional voices, Signe Lykke, and choreography by the visually captivating choreographer, Fernando Melo. Melo is known for his magical tricks and dreamlike universes and, together with Raphael Frisenvænge Solholm, they have created a space that is constantly in motion. Inspired by Vilhelm Hammershøi’s illusory, mysterious, and enigmatic universe, the audience is taken on a journey that offers disappearing acts, slow-motion interludes and captivating illusions that defy gravity. For what is real, and what is artificial? 

Drawing inspiration from Hammershøi’s paintings

Central to the set design of LEANING TREE is the profound influence of the renowned Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864-1916). His masterpieces exude an unmistakable aura of tension and enigma. These elements served as crucial touchstones during Melo’s initial creative process. Hammershøi’s adeptness in composition, interplay of light and shadow, and the deliberate concealment of inner emotions evoke a tantalizing air of mystery, inviting the audience to contemplate the latent narratives and sentiments behind the scenes. This aura of uncertainty prompts viewers to embark on their own interpretive journeys, crafting personal narratives that resonate with the performance.

Tickets will be on sale in November.

Photos: Natascha Rydvald