Thinking outside the Brox

On October 12, I am taking my daughter Liv to her first ballet. Why? Well partly because I think she will be mesmerised by the dancers, secondly because I would love for her to become a ballet fan when she’s older (with the odd spare ticket of course), and finally because no adult in their right mind would accompany me to a dark theatre full of overly-excited, nattering, squealing children in the middle of the October school holiday. So we are all booked in and counting down the days until our little adventure.

The show, The Fantasy Traveller, is targeted towards children of four years and above and promises to be bonkers and fanciful enough to hold Liv’s attention for its hour-long duration; well here’s hoping! It is written by Shane Brox, the Canadian-Danish author and designer who is best known for his award-winning TV series Shane’s World. You might know the one – it’s the programme with the guy telling stories in his workshop and crafting the characters out of odds and ends salvaged from the recycling bin. But as well as appearing on DR’s children’s hour, Brox is a bona fide designer. He trained at Kolding Design School and has a stint at Levis and a commission from Royal Copenhagen under his belt. I’m excited to see how his creativity unfolds on stage.

This never-before-seen ballet tells the story of a boy called Ferdinand who, while exploring his own fantasy world, encounters strange creatures including the Snow Dragon, Dance Sausage and Monster Diva. Through these characters he discovers the conflicting forces of good and evil that lie within our subconscious. Heavy – not really, but like all great children’s tales it promises to combine an entertaining tale with more moralistic undertones. Brox himself is directing the ballet and is also responsible for the set and costume design, which we can expect to be bold and wacky with bright colours and whimsical costumes filling the Old Stage. The choreography is by Esther Lee Wilkinson, who last season staged the box office hit Stolen Spring, while the lighting design is by Thomas Bek Jensen.

Performing the ballet will be students from the Royal Danish Theatre Ballet School. The school, which has been training dancers since 1771, has between 60 and 70 pupils aged between six and 16 years – performances such as these provide them with a rare opportunity to take centre stage. For us in the audience, it is a chance to spot the stars of the future – who knows, some of the children present might still be cheering these dancers on in 15 years time. Both the stage and audience should be brimming with youthful enthusiasm. I’m excited, Liv’s excited and I’ve already planned the emergency snack pack just in case things go awry.
 

The Fantasy Traveller
Gamle Scene, Kongens Nytorv, Cph K; starts Sat, ends Wed, daily performances 12:00 & 14:00; tickets 75-295kr; www.kglteater.dk; duration: 60 mins




  • Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    In recent years, the spread of cocaine has accelerated. The drug is easily accessible and not only reserved for wealthy party heads. Copenhagen Police have just arrested ten young people and charged them with reselling cocaine

  • 5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    Here are five mistakes I made that helped me understand that belonging isn’t a strategy—it’s a practice. This isn’t a story of struggle—it’s a reflection on growth, told through the lens of emotional intelligence.

  • Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Earlier this year, the Danish government changed the law on access for people from third world countries to the Danish labor market. Yet, there may still be a shortcut that goes through universities

  • Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Queen Company, a Denmark-origin flower producer with pristine sustainability credentials, is under fire for alleged labor rights violations at its Turkish operation, located in Dikili, İzmir. Workers in the large greenhouse facility have been calling decent work conditions for weeks. The Copenhagen Post gathered testimonies from the workers to better understand the situation

  • Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Beginning this month, Expat Counselling will be contributing a monthly article to The Copenhagen Post, offering guidance, tools, and reflections on the emotional and social aspects of international life in Denmark. The first column is about Strategies for emotional resilience

  • New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    Several mayors and business leaders across Denmark are not satisfied with the agreement that the government, the trade union movement and employers made last week. More internationals are needed than the agreement provides for

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system