Tree of Codes

"Visual surprises abound, an exhausting but invigorating ride" — Melbourne Herald Sun

"Fecund with human creativity... sometimes five stars are not enough" — The Independent

"A truly collaborative process lies behind the extraordinary triumph of this new contemporary ballet" — The Stage

Inspired by Tree of Codes by Jonathan Safran Foer 
With Company Wayne McGregor and dancers from The Royal Ballet

From the creative minds of three visionaries comes this stunning tour de force of dance, electronic music and visual art from multi-award-winning choreographer and director Wayne McGregor, Mercury Prize-winning producer/composer Jamie xx (from The xx) and renowned artist Olafur Eliasson, inspired by and created in response to Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel of the same name. 

The book itself is a sculptural work of art—a post-apocalyptic tale strung together by a latticework of words carved from the pages of Bruno Schulz’s The Street of Crocodiles—and an invitation to reflect upon the physicality of words and the liminal states that exist between the layers of text. Inspired by the book’s content and structure, the resulting dance piece sets McGregor’s visceral movement language against a kaleidoscopic backdrop by Eliasson, accompanied by Jamie xx’s soulful and electrifying score.

A triumph that was three years in the making, Tree of Codes is an unmissable partnership between visionary artists that will leave you wanting more. Since its premiere in 2015 at the Manchester International Festival, Tree of Codes has performed to sold-out houses and received standing ovations in New York, Paris, London, Denmark, Australia, France and Hong Kong. This performance features Company Wayne McGregor and dancers from The Royal Ballet (UK). 

Commissioned by Manchester International Festival, Park Avenue Armory, FAENA ART, Paris Opera Ballet, Sadler’s Wells and European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017. Produced by Manchester International Festival, Paris Opera Ballet and Studio Wayne McGregor. 

Dancers:
Winnie Asawakanjanakit
Louis McMiller
Rebecca Bassett-Graham
Jordan James Bridge
Salvatore De Simone
Cathy Grealish
Melissa Hamilton (Guest Artist from The Royal Ballet UK)
Chien-Shun Liao
Eileih Muir
James Pett
Mattia Sala
Kym Sojourna