The performance is part of a triple-bill called Space to Speak, a dance and wellbeing project which the Manchester-based Dance Company has been working on with local young people, from Trinity High School and Z-arts, to reflect their thoughts, feelings and experiences of the pandemic.

Kevin Edward Turner, Co-Artistic Director, Company Chameleon said: “Wellbeing is at the heart of this project and the project has given the young people the opportunity to talk about their experiences of lockdown and express their thoughts and feelings through dance and movement.

“We know it’s good to talk and that sharing feelings helps us process experiences. I really hope the families and people who join us at the festival, are inspired by the performances, and what they see encourages them to reflect and talk about these times.”

The Triple Bill opens with young people from Z-arts, performing their creation, In Waves, which includes music by Aphex Twin and involves dancers sharing little books of their favourite lockdown memories.
Next young people from Trinity High School perform Space, a creative exploration and expression of personal experiences of lockdown, which has been developed through workshops with Company Chameleon.

The final piece in the triple bill is the premiere of Company Chameleon’s new duet, Void choreographed by Kevin Edward Turner. The male and female duet, performed by Company Chameleon’s dancers, explores the space created by Covid and lockdown, and what has moved into that space – both good and bad.

Space to Speak is part of Z-Arts Summer of Play, a programme of free and low-cost family shows and events throughout the summer to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors and get involved in arts events. Events include I Love My Bike, a fun-filled day based around cycling; local community festival, Hulme is Where the Art Is and Schlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids.

Company Chameleon’s Triple Bill, Space to Speak is at Hulme Park on Saturday 26 June (weather permitting). There are two free performances at 2pm and 4pm. No booking is required. Performances will not go ahead if it is raining.

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Described as a dark and psychological thriller told through dance and movement, it takes dance to places not often explored in this way. If film-maker Ken Loach was to make a dance piece I imagine it might be something like this. It is raw, gritty and of the streets. Yet at the same time this physically demanding and athletic work is also artistically accomplished. It is a rare mix.

Choreographer and co-artistic director, Anthony Missen cites psychoanalyst Carl Jung as his inspiration for exploring the unconscious dark side of personalities that are often hidden. This leads to a lot of tension on the stage, which gives the feeling of watching a thriller. Shadowy figures in black hoodies and full-fencing masks stalk the stage. Dancers size-up each other aggressively. Relationships are played out with violence and sadomasochistic fetishes, with one dancer caged like a gimp.

Elements of fear, isolation, humiliation and abandonment run though the life sketches of the six characters whose shadows come and go, returning sometimes in suffocating numbers. At one point a dancer has a seat pulled from under him and the rest let out hollow laughter that echoes menace rather than mirth.

Composer Ben Chatwin’s tense score adds to the suspense. It an intense piece which only lets up slightly during a rave scene. This gives way to some comical peacock strutting dance moves, but the undercurrent of threat never quite leaves the stage. This makes ‘The Shadow’ overall rather one-dimensional and challenging to watch. For an hour-long piece I’d have preferred a clear narrative. It feels like the skill of the dance and the emotions it evokes is to be appreciated rather than enjoyed.

The Shadow presented by Company Chameleon is at Home, Manchester on 22 and 23 November 2019.

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Its youth dance company, launched in 2016, is open to young people aged 11 to 21, with the opportunity to work alongside professional artists and perform at high profile theatres such as The Lowry and HOME.

Sam Broadbent, Learning & Participation Officer, explains: “Chameleon Youth is unique in that the company is part of a professional dance company, which means you’re taught by professionals with substantial experience of performing worldwide and working in the national and international dance sector.

“Through Chameleon Youth, we pass on this knowledge and experience to create a unique youth dance offer. If you come along to the free Taster Sessions in June, we will tell you more about how this experience influences and informs our approach – whether you’re new to dance or you have tons of experience, we’d love to see you there!”

Company Chameleon offer a nurturing and supportive working environment, which encourages young people to find their creative voice through dance and movement.

Along with a focus on creativity, members have the opportunity to train weekly with Company Chameleon’s professional dance artists and create work collaboratively with guest choreographers.

“The last year has been incredible as it saw Chameleon Youth double in numbers and more performance opportunities than ever before,” says Sam. “Along with working with Kevin and Anthony, our Co-Artistic Directors, our Company Dancers and Associate Artists, the group were invited to perform at a number of prestigious platforms including U. Dance at The Lowry and the Yorkshire Youth Dance Platform at Phoenix Dance Theatre. Our senior cohort also had the opportunity to share their work with our new patron Dame Darcey Bussell, who watched them in class and offered them direct feedback.”

Forthcoming performance dates for Chameleon Youth, include showcasing their outdoor performance skills at the Manchester Day Parade and performing a curtain raiser at HOME for the world premiere of the Company’s new production The Shadow in the Autumn.

“All in all, it’s an exciting time for the youth company,” adds Sam. “Our programme of activity puts Chameleon Youth on the map as one of the regions’ flagship youth dance initiatives and reinforces our position as the only youth dance company in Manchester to be part of a professional dance company.”

If you’re age 11 to 21 and interested in being part of Chameleon Youth, then Company Chameleon invite you to meet the team and experience a flavour of their unique movement style and creative approach at the free Taster Sessions throughout June and July 2019. Visit www.companychameleon.com for more details and to book a place on one of the sessions below.

Chameleon Youth Free Taster Sessions
At STUN Studio, Z-arts

Sat 22 Jun, 11am-1pm | Juniors Taster Session, age 11-16 
Sat 22 Jun, 2-4pm | Seniors Taster Session, age 16-21
Mon 24 Jun, 6-8pm | Open Taster Session, age 11 – 21
Sat 13 Jul, 11am -1pm | Juniors Audition, age 11-16
Sat 13 Jul, 2-4pm | Seniors Audition, age 16-21

Darcy Bussell becomes patron of Company Chameleon.

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Dame Darcy was first introduced to the company last year as part of her BBC2 show Darcy Bussell: Dancing to Happiness, which promoted dance at all stages of life to help people keep fit not just physically but mentally too.

It was in exploring dance for mental wellbeing that Darcy first met Company Chameleon’s co-Artistic Director, Kevin Edward Turner. During the programme Kevin discussed how dance supported him through his own personal mental health difficulties and allowed him to heal. Darcy also learned about the company’s work supporting young people, specifically a therapeutic dance project for young women referred by a local support group.

Darcy explains: “Meeting Kevin and hearing his passion for Company Chameleon, it was completely clear that there was a particular strength here…an inspiration.

“I like the individuality of the company, they show how expressive and physically provoking dance can be.  I know how effective they are in reaching out and performing to so many communities, especially to the young.  They share my passion for the positive impact that dance can have on people’s lives and their accessible dance style celebrates that dance is for everyone.”

Darcey’s patronage comes at an exciting time for the Manchester-based company, which was set-up by Kevin Edward Turner and Anthony Missen in 2007/8. As part of their 10-year anniversary celebrations, in addition to making the documentary, the team joined Manchester City Council’s cultural portfolio and for the first-time moved into their own dance studio, next door to Rogue Artists’ Studios at the former Varna Street Primary School in Openshaw.

“It was wonderful to work with Darcy on the BBC2 documentary and it’s even more wonderful to welcome her on board as our first-ever patron,” says Kevin. “The timing is perfect. Having recently moved into our own dance studio, a priority is to develop a new Get Involved programme. We want to get more people dancing and seeing the benefit of dance across our home city. Darcy’s association and support will help us do this by increasing our reach.”

That reach is hopefully spreading across the whole city with support from Manchester City Council to get everyone moving and take dance into Greater Manchester schools.

And this month saw the launch of The Saturday Sessions, a new programme of dance classes for young people at Company Chameleon’s studio in Openshaw.

“This is just start,” says co-director Anthony Missen, “We hope to eventually offer all sorts of dance classes for all sorts of people – from performance events, to contact jams, from classes for absolute beginners to classes for professional artists. It’s brilliant to have Darcey on board at the start of this journey and what is a new era for the company as we explore the possibilities of having our own studio.”

Darcy adds: “Company Chameleon’s vision and plans for their new space is inspiring and will enrich the dance community in the North West. It’s a fantastic the Company has the opportunity to develop a hub for creating its international dance productions, as well as a programme of classes and workshops firmly rooted in Manchester.” 

For more detail about Company Chameleon and its Saturday Sessions visit www.companychameleon.com

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The company are known for combining a rich mix of dance styles, drawing from an amalgamation of dance techniques including contemporary dance, b-boying, capoeira and partner work.

Amaranthine is a short dance piece, which tells the story of a couple in love and in conflict. Though powerful and risk-taking moves they desperately try to reconnect and find resolution.

It promises to be an emotionally charged event exploring the intricacies of intimate relationships as the pushes and pulls of disagreement and heated argument are felt, alongside the appreciation of space, understanding and eventually, acceptance.

Company Chameleon founder and co-artistic director, Kevin Edward Turner has teamed up with Navala ‘Niku’ Chaudhari to choreograph the piece, which they specifically developed to be adapted and performed in all sorts of different spaces.

“The great thing about our outdoor work is that it has been designed to be performed in many different contexts,” explains Kevin. “When performed the work transforms the space that it is in and for audiences creates a more unexpected and memorable experience.”

The first pop up and the UK premiere of Amaranthine is at The Foundation Coffee House in the Northern Quarter on 13 September at 6:15pm, providing the perfect after-work treat for people who fancy a drink and a little culture after a day’s work.

The second and third performances take place outside on 15 September at 1pm, when the Chameleon will dance across Tony Wilson Square at First Street. Then at 3pm the same day they will take the show to shoppers in St Ann’s Square.

“There’ll be an element of surprise to each of the pop-ups, which we hope will add to the experience we give the audience,” says Kevin. “The performances outside at Tony Wilson Place and St Ann’s Square will showcase the physicality of our style and show how we use the pavement as our dance floor. At The Foundation Coffee House, the context will create something different to see – after all, it’s not often you see a highly physical and contemporary dance piece in a coffee shop!”

Following the premiere, Company Chameleon plan to tour the work to festivals both nationally and internationally. Previous tours have included performances in Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, South Africa, France, Italy, Romania, South Korea and Trinidad and Tobago.

“We always love to premiere our work at home in Manchester – it’s important we show the work in our community first.  It will be great to share the piece with audiences at home before we take it on the road and take it out there.”

For more details visit companychameleon.com

Amaranthine from Company Chameleon on Vimeo.

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The new company will give young people, aged 11 to 18, the chance to develop their talent with a professional dance company through a creative programme of dance classes, talks, workshops and development opportunities with industry professionals, such as choreographers, composers, lighting and costume designers.

Nominated at both the MTAs and National Dance Awards, Company Chameleon’s acclaimed style is a rich mix of dance and movement techniques, drawing influences from contemporary dance, capoeira, ballet and contact improvisation.

The company was founded by Anthony Missen and Kevin Edward Turner who met at Trafford Youth Dance Theatre in the mid-1990s. Two ordinary lads from Manchester, they shared an ambition to dance professionally for a living.

The pair went on to train at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, and after graduating travelled extensively to work with some of the most innovative dance companies and choreographers in the world. They returned home to Manchester in 2007 to set-up their own dance company, with which they have toured nationally and internationally to wide acclaim.

Now the pair want to share their knowledge and experience to help nurture the next generation of dancers from the city.

“Setting up a youth dance company has been a long-held aspiration of ours,” says Kevin. “Anthony and I both discovered dance as teenagers at Trafford Youth Dance, and if it wasn’t for that experience, we wouldn’t be stood here today as Company Chameleon. We want to recreate the opportunity we had when we were young to be creative and explore dance. In some ways, Chameleon Youth, sees our own personal dance story going full circle.”

Chameleon Youth running free taster sessions at Manchester Central Library on Saturday 7 and 14 May. The workshops will provide a feel for the company’s original dance style, and its creative and fun approach to dance skills development. No prior dance experience is essential. The company says it is looking for a positive attitude, loads of enthusiasm, and a desire to dance and be creative.

Chameleon Youth try-outs for the school will take place on Saturday 11 June, with structured weekly classes at Manchester Central Library starting in September.

For more information visit www.companychameleon.com

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