LOL — Laughing Out Lonely

The faceless existence of life on the internet is given a voice in this thrilling new solo opera by the composing team Matilde Böcher and Asger Kudahl.

LOL is a portrait of contemporary loneliness. With a universal relevance, and a tour de tour performance from acclaimed countertenor Morten Grove Frandsen, this modern opera is a thought-provoking mirror of our digital age.

Frandsen amazes as the embodiment of a myriad of outsiders - including the girl with The Fucking Ugly Face, who cuts herself to forget her pain, or The Lamb, a shameful boy who dreams of being slaughtered – and takes the audience into the darkest corners of the internet, where misogynists, self-harmers, racists, and other marginalized existences have found an absurd community.

Created using English lyrics that are based on posts from young people on social media, and staged as a theatrical echo chamber where the audience is part of the setting, LOL is a compelling work that is relevant for audiences of all ages.

LOL is directed by Louise Beck in dialogue with dramaturg Astrid Hansen Holm, movement coach Ziita de Fries and répétiteur Louise Schrøder. The lighting design is by Jeppe Lawaetz. The costume design is by Roe Ørslev. The installation is designed by Josefine Else Larsen and built by Sven August Buse & Anders Toft Pedersen.

LOL is produced in collaboration with SPOR Festival, Aalborg Operafestival & CPH Operafestival and premiered in May 2023. LOL has been selected for the International Program @CPH Stageand will be presented @Sort/Hvid, 31/5 & 1/6 2024. Link for more information and tickets here.

Morten Grove Frandsen has been nominated for a Reumert Award in 2024 for his solo performance.

SELECTED REVIEWS:

SEISMOGRAF: ‘Matilde Böcher’s frictionless tonality combined with Asger Kudahls floating sound production became in Louise Becks’ skilled staging, and Morten Grove Frandsens’ total dedication, a tender, beautiful and moving piece full of dynamic energy.’

SCENEBLOG: ‘LOL – Laughing Out Lonely is a depressing and blunt, heartfelt and moving, fascinating and redemptive experience.’

ISCENE: ‘LOL is a furiously beautiful and in-your-face experience! And it is so cool to shake up the traditional narratives of the opera genre and instead get the rawness of reality kicked into the art form.’

POLITIKEN: ‘In LOL the simple tonal language is very strong and direct. The solo performance shows the impressive vocal level of Morten Grove Frandsen. Not only does he sing superbly in falsetto, but he is also able to croon and use his voice in other impressive ways.’

International tour:

LOL Promotion download here >>

LOL Tech Rider Standard download here >>

LOL Tech Rider Full-scale download here >>

Danish Tour:

LOL flyer download here »

Supported by: Lemvigh-Müller Fonden, Koda Dramatik, Københavns Scenekunstudvalg, Koda Kultur, Dansk Skuespiller forbund, William Demant Fonden, Statens Kunstfond, Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond.

Photos: Tom Ingvardsen

Video: Jonas Søgaard