From free runners to hip hop, ballet to street dance, the new Z Bo Jackson Company combine a diverse mix of dance styles with compelling storytelling and magnetic physicality.

The new dance fusion company, which will launch at the event, promises a mix of dance styles on display, combined with stunning visuals, appealing to dance fans and musical theatre-lovers alike, as well as today’s YouTube and Insta-audiences.

The star-studded gala night is hosted by Got to Dance judge and Pussycat Doll, Kimberly Wyatt, with guest artists Flawless (Britain’s Got Talent and Street Dance 2), ballet star Brandon Lawrence (Principal Dancer with the Birmingham Royal Ballet) and West End star Chrissy Brooke (winner of ITV’s Dance Dance Dance.)

On the night, singer, dancer and choreographer Kimberly Wyatt will perform alongside Flawless in one number; BRB’s Brandon Lawrence will perform a solo choreographed by the award-winning George Williamson, while Chrissy Brooke will perform with the Z Company ensemble.

Choreographer behind the new company, Bo Jackson says: “Dance is a universal language and as Einstein observed ‘Dancers are the athletes of God’. The Z brand will break down the walls of dance to create a uniquely diverse dance experience, as free runners mix with elite dancers, and ballet cross-pollinates with hip hop.

“Manchester is the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and as such the perfect international city in which to launch a new dawn in dance for the 21st Century.

“As with this gala, the Z brand will invite celebrities and well-known dancers to appear alongside our main ensemble moving foward. We can’t wait to unleash our brand at the Palace Theatre.”

For a chance to win simply email your name and address to competitions@quayslife.com with Z Bo Jackson in the subject line before 5pm on Friday 6 September 2019.

Read more about the evening in our interview with choreographer and director Bo Jackson.

Competition terms and conditions:

1. This competition is run by Quays Life in partnership with the The Z Bo Jackson Company.
2. The Prize: Two tickets to a gala night of dance, hosted by Kimberly Wyatt, to launch new dance fusion theatre company, The Z Bo Jackson Company at the Palace Theatre, Manchester on Tuesday 10 September 2019.
3. The prize is as stated and no cash or other alternatives will be offered. The prize is not transferable and subject to availability.
4. The promoter is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied to any entrant by any third party connected with this competition.
5. Closing date for entry will be 17:00 GMT 6 September 2019. After this date the no further entries to the competition will be permitted.
6. No responsibility can be accepted for entries not received for whatever reason.
7. The competition is open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 years or over except employees of Quays Life and their close relatives.
8. There is no entry fee and no purchase necessary to enter this competition.
9. To enter the free prize draw participants are required to send their name and address to competitions@quayslife.com
10. Quays Life will pick the winner at random from all complete entries via email.
11. Quays Life’s decision as to those able to take part and selection of winners is final. No correspondence relating to the competition will be entered into.
12. By entering this competition, an entrant is indicating his/her agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
13. The winner will be notified by email within 24 hours of the closing date. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not claim the prize within 24 hours of notification, we reserve the right to withdraw the prize from the winner and pick a replacement winner.
14. Losing entries will not receive any notification. By taking part in the competition you agree to Quays Life stating the competition winner’s name.
15. The promoter will notify the winner when and where the prize can be collected.
16. The promoter’s decision in respect of all matters to do with the competition will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.
17. The promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend the competition and these terms and conditions without notice in the event of a catastrophe, war, civil or military disturbance, act of God or any actual or anticipated breach of any applicable law or regulation or any other event outside of the promoter’s control. Any changes to the competition will be notified to entrants as soon as possible by the promoter.
18. Quays Life shall have the right, at its sole discretion and at any time, to change or modify these terms and conditions, such change shall be effective immediately upon posting to this webpage.
19. Quays Life also reserves the right to cancel the competition if circumstances arise outside of its control.
20. The winner agrees to the use of his/her name and image in any publicity material, as well as their entry. Any personal data relating to the winner or any other entrants will be used solely in accordance with current UK data protection legislation and will not be disclosed to a third party without the entrant’s prior consent.
21. Your details will be shared with The Z Bo Jackson Company and Manchester’s Palace Theatre to enable collection of your prize.
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Can you tell us more about Z Bo Jackson and where the idea came from?

“I really became interested by today’s obsession with visual storytelling on Youtube, instagram and in video games. There seemed to be a gap in the market for a theatrical experience that satisfies this appetite both on screen and with live performances so I started to develop the concept for TV and stage. In February we had the opportunity to explain our vision of the live dance fusion theatre company to the Palace Theatre and Opera House in Manchester. They understood and embraced our concept and agreed to support the gala night to launch the brand.”

What makes Z Bo Jackson different from other dance companies out there?

“We are the UK’s first dance fusion theatre company. Each production contains unique and diverse choreography, alongside a narrative structure dramatized by dance and creating a new kinetic language. The Z brand will break down the walls of dance to create a new kind of dance experience, as free runners mix with elite dancers, and ballet cross-pollinates with hip hop. Since the birth of the internet there has been an explosion of dance and we want to showcase the sort of talent and choreographic innovation displayed online. Z Bo Jackson will smash down the walls of the dance conventions and allow these ‘athletes of God’ to inhabit the stage! (‘Dancers are the Athletes of God’ is a quote from Einstein that I feel is very apt!)”

How has your career experience to date influenced the formation and direction of the new company?

“My choreographic career reflects the broad spectrum and eclectic vision of the Z Bo Jackson Company. Moving from the choreographic challenges of circus choreography to the movement restrictions of a comedy musical extended my creative expectations of myself and my performers and also pushed the boundaries of my theatrical taste. Directing was life changing for me as you need to see the bigger picture and have a distinct tone for the work while also problem solving and working towards opening a show!

“We want to become a platform for dancer, dancers and choreographers and hope to fill the gap between the elite dance companies and the commercial musical theatre productions giving dancers the chance to exploit their range and talents within an emotionally resonating piece of narrative theatre. I’m totally happy to be artistic and commercial without any compromises or apologies.”

What kind of dance will be represented in the company and at the gala night?

“We will move beyond the dance genres in some numbers and employ free running, acrobatic and aerial performers alongside the elite dancers. The Z Bo performances in the gala are primarily using jazz ballet, commercial fusion and acrobatic choreography. Our high profile guests are experts in their field with Kimberly and Chrissy trained as professional jazz dancers, alongside the urban hip hop locking talents of Flawless sharing the stage with the aesthetic beauty of ballet’s exceptional principal Brandon Lawrence.”

You are launching in Manchester – was launching in the north important to you and the company?

“It is personal and emotional and something I could never have dreamt of when I came to watch Alvin Ailey and the Dance Theatre of Harlem at the Opera House all those years ago!  The Greater Manchester borough of Wigan and Leigh paid for my professional training at a time when the funding system was more generous, and the net was spread wider. This feels like coming home (the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham was previously my local MP) and that life has come full circle, back to the most vibrant cultural city in the UK. Manchester gave birth to the Industrial Revolution and this Northern Powerhouse is giving birth to the Z Bo Jackson company. This is the city of the worker bee and if you’ve been through professional dance training then you understand hard work!”

You have some really big names appearing in the launch gala night. Why did you pick these performers to be involved and what will they bring to the Z Bo Jackson experience?

“They are all extremely talented and honed professionals, but they also represent the dual aspect of the Z brand. We are going to showcase celebrity performers alongside unknown new talent, to create a viable commercial dance company.

“I had directed Flawless in Peter Pan and admired their work ethic and fabulous choreography and Kimberly is great friends with the boys having worked together in the past. I taught Chrissy at and I met Brandon at the Move It convention. It’s exciting that they all will be sharing the stage at the iconic Palace Theatre.”

What’s next for The Z Bo Jackson Company?

“We hope that Z will be the go-to brand for dance across all platforms as we will bring in specialised assistants and choreographers in key areas and avoid the limitations of a solo named creative . Continuing script work on the TV series will be the main priority in the weeks following the gala. It’s a big world that needs big ideas to generate new audiences, new revenue streams and potential employment opportunities for the dancers of tomorrow.

“Dance is a universal and international language.”

The Z Bo Jackson Company launches with a gala night of entertainment at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on 10 September 2019. Visit our competition’s page for a chance to win tickets to be there.

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