Anthony Missen chats about Company Chameleon's Beauty of the Beast

What influenced you to come up with the idea for Beauty of the Beast?

In part, growing up in inner city Manchester and trying to navigate my way through and with different groups of men. Personal stories and a constant return to – and observation of – issues that men face or stem from men from a local and global perspective. They include issues within the family, in war, mental health, in relationships, and men’s roles in society.

Do you think we still pigeonhole men and women in society?

I think there are expectations about the roles men and women should occupy; this is certainly something commonly answered in my research and in speaking to friends, family and people I meet.

Is it this different in the dance world?

I’m not so sure…I think for a man to dance in the first place breaks some of the stereotypes and allows us to express parts of ourselves that might otherwise not be so visible. We can be athletic and explosive but with grace and sensitivity.

Why do you think dance is so popular at the Lowry?

It’s about building upon the legacy of some individuals that really care about dance. The late Lea Parkinson, who encouraged me to dance as a youngster, the late Robert Robson who was artistic director at the Lowry, Jane Dasilva whose Youth Talent Manager at the Lowry, and David Fry, former head of theatre programming. The Lowry worked hard to develop dance from the ground up including at professional level. As their resident company for five years, we at Company Chameleon are proud to have played our part in helping to develop their dance programme.

Why should audiences see Beauty?

Because it’s a rare thing in dance to see work that really says something. I respect the work of lots of makers but for me, the form has to move beyond the purely aesthetic. People should come and be able to experience a performance not just observe; to be moved to laugh, cry, question and relate their own experience to it. I think this piece does just that.

Company Chameleon's Beauty of the Beast is at the Lowry from 22 – 23 October.