Tempo
Kalle Nio / Fernando Melo / Harry Salmenniemi
Time is a complex concept, and our perception and appreciation of it are constantly shifting. It slips through our fingers or frustrates us with its endless duration: we either feel we don’t have enough of it or we no longer know what to do with it.
As director and choreographer respectively, Kalle Nio and Fernando Melo invite us to explore its accelerations and decelerations – those moments when it slips away from us. Drawing on magic, optical illusions, dance, music and spoken word, the artists immerse us in a world where time runs backwards, and where gravity and the laws of nature fade away.
Attending a performance of Tempo means losing your footing a little, letting yourself be swept away a great deal, and marvelling immensely.
Please note: the show uses ‘black theatre’ techniques. Several extended sequences take place in sudden darkness.
Next performances
Prices and offers
Full price
CHF 40.-
Concessionary rate
From CHF 15 to CHF 25
Old Age Pension (AVS), Disability Insurance (AI), unemployment, young people aged up to 26, people with reduced mobility, residents of Vernier, 20ans20francs
mélimélo Offer
20% off your basket when you buy 5 shows
Suitable for deaf or hard-of-hearing people. A pre-performance meet-and-greet is available; please register when purchasing your ticket.
Stage-side talk (French/English): a meet-the-cast session will take place after the performance on Wed 3 Feb.
A workshop will be led by the company’s performers on Wednesday 3 February from 2 pm to 4 pm. Suitable for all audiences. Free.
Concept
Nio, Melo & Salmenniemi
Directed by
Kalle Nio
Choreography
Fernando Melo
Written by
Harry Salmenniemi
Cast
Barbara Kanc, Winston Reynolds, Luigi Sardone alternating with Iiro Näkki
Music
Samuli Kosminen
Costumes
Georgina Spencer
Lighting
Johannes Hallikas
Broadcasting and production
Yellow Everything
Executive production
WHS / Kalle Nio
Co-production
Helsinki Festival, Lutkovno Gledališce Ljubljana
Support
Alfred Kordelin Foundation, Saastamoinen Foundation
Premiere
Premiere in August 2025
Kalle Nio
Kalle Nio is a Finnish director, visual artist and magician, renowned for his ability to blend visual theatre, experimental film, contemporary circus and modern magic.
Fernando Melo
A choreographer of Brazilian origin, Fernando Melo has pursued a career in Europe, creating choreographies for major companies such as the Göteborgs Operans Danskompani, the Skånes Dansteater and the Ballet Hispanico in New York.
Harry Salmenniemi
Harry Salmenniemi is one of Finland’s most prominent writers, celebrated for his poetry, short stories, novels and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Get in touch
By phone
Monday to Friday, 12–6 pm
+41 (0)22 795 00 04