Fernando Melo’s new work for Helsinki Dance Company

The spring 2026 premiere of HKT’s dance group, choreographer Fernando Melo’s Out of Order , is a journey into the world of disappearing and reappearing images, which is shaped through mirrors, choreography and optical illusions that move on stage. The work is made up of fragmented scenes that are presented in disarray, like pieces of a puzzle of a larger whole. The work invites the viewer to interpret their unique theatrical experience and put together a performative puzzle according to their own liking.

The title Out of Order refers not only to something that has been broken, but also to the non-linear structure of the work. Essentially, the work deals with memory, perception, and other imperfect ways in which we try to structure our lives. Flaws, small flaws, and the parts of us that are out of place are not abnormalities, but a basic condition for being alive.

“In Out of Order , the movement is built around objects and sets on stage. The dancers do not move in the middle of the set, but with it, because objects and mirrors are part of the movement. We have made drawings and scale models, but it is only during the rehearsals with the dancers that everything falls into place,” says choreographer Fernando Melo.

“It’s very demanding for the dancers. They have to think about all the technical details and still interpret the scenes and express themselves with their bodies,” says Kalle Nio, who is responsible for the set and magic of the work.

“Illusions, choreography and moving sets create a theatrical experience that you don’t usually expect from a dance group,” Nio adds.

Out of Order features HDC’s experienced and brilliant dancers Sofia Hilli, Jyrki Kasper, Aksinja Lommi, Pekka Louhio, Kalle Lähde, Mikko Paloniemi, Justus Pienmunne and Inka Tiitinen.

The costumes for the performance were designed by Samu-Jussi Koski. The lighting designer is Aku Lahti and the sound designer is Eero Niemi. The camouflage is designed by Tuula Kuittinen.

Fernando Melo is a Brazilian-born choreographer and dancer living in Sweden. She began her dance and theatre education in her hometown of Rio de Janeiro and at the age of 16 received a scholarship to train at the Vienna State Opera Ballet in Austria. She has since worked as a dancer and choreographer around the world in opera houses, dance companies and theatres. Her artistic approach combines precise movement language and visual storytelling, where movement, space and music merge into a holistic experience. Melo is known for its ability to create works that challenge traditional boundaries and speak to audiences both emotionally and aesthetically.

Visual artist and magician Kalle Nio’s work combines magic, visual arts, film, art history, circus and theatre into a unique artistic language. Nio has a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of the Arts Helsinki in Helsinki. With her performing arts group WHS, she has toured more than 30 countries. Her visual art exhibitions, video installations and short films have been shown in museums and galleries in Finland and internationally. He is also one of the founders of the Helsinki-based Teatteri Union.

Fernando Melo and Kalle Nio’s previous collaboration Tempo premiered at the Finnish National Opera as part of the Helsinki Festival programme in August 2025 and has since toured Asia and Europe.

Helsinki Dance Company is a contemporary dance company founded in 1973 in connection with the Helsinki City Theatre. Helsinki Dance Company has worked with several renowned artists over the years and has also had a significant impact on the professionalization of dance art in Finland. In addition to independent dance productions, dancers have performed extensively in theatre productions from plays to musicals, as well as worked in choreographic tasks. The company is known for its charismatic and expressive dancers, as well as its visually polished and movement-strong works. At the moment, the group produces two premieres a year, one in the autumn season and one in the spring season. The dance group is led by Valtteri Raekallio.

Read the interview with the choreographer and set designer on the theatre’s website: Human Experience of Disorder.

Out of Order premiere 11.3.2026 on the small stage of the Helsinki City Theatre (Eläintarhantie 5).

Tickets: student ticket €22.50 (Mon-Thu), pensioner ticket €42 (Mon-Thu), basic ticket €45 #outoforder @hktfi @helsinkidancecompany

Helsinki City Theatre ticket sales and customer service by phone (09) 3940 22 Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ticket offices Ensi linja 2, Mon-Fri 12-17, Eläintarhantie 5, Sat (performance days) 11-18.30 and one hour before the performance and Lippu.fi, Mon-Sat 9-19, Sun 12-16, tel. 0600 900 900 (2 €/from min+local network charge) www.hkt.fi

Press release photo: Bryan Saragoza, photo Sofia Hilli and Justus Pienmunne

Further information, media ticket reservations and interview requests:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki