Lowry Dance Company in Residence Preview New Work

The Lowry‘s dance company in residence, Company Chameleon will preview two of their works, Rites and Before night fell on Fri 19 and Sat 20 June. 

Chameleon was established in November 2007 by Anthony Missen, from Hulme, and Kevin Turner, who have collaborated with each other for 15 years. Beginning with Trafford Youth Dance Theatre, through formal training at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance, they have worked together with some of the foremost British and International dance and dance theatre companies, including Scottish Dance Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre. The two performed in To You, the first performance in The Lowry’s Lyric theatre, as part of the venue’s opening in April 2000.

Anthony said “We met when we were 12 and 15 and always hoped that we could bring the knowledge and creativity that we would acquire during our career back to Manchester.We are very thankful to The Lowry for helping to make this dream a reality and for inviting us to be artists in residence.”

As part of a new dance development programme, Chameleon are working as company in residence at The Lowry until April 2010. They are working with Dance Initiative Greater Manchester (DiGM) to deliver Stride, a dance project for young men. Chameleon took Stride into schools and community groups in Wigan, Oldham and Stockport, working with young men aged 11 – 19, some without any previous dance experience.

The dance groups will be developed under the Artistic Direction of Chameleon, resulting in a performance at The Lowry in September.
 
Robert Robson, Artistic Director at The Lowry, said “We are keen to support and develop emerging excellence in dance, looking to enhance The Lowry’s role as a regional centre for dance. Both Kevin and Anthony are fantastic artists who stretch their own abilities and will inspire others to dance.”

The preview performance will comprise two duets, Rites, choreographed by Kevin and Anthony and commissioned by DiGM, as well as Before night fell, directed by award winning choreographer Beth Cassani. Rites looks at coming of age, peer pressure, and at those rites which have shaped the duo as individuals and as friends. It asks the question, “What does it mean to be a man?” Before night fell is an exploration of male identity, friendship, camaraderie and bravery. This new work, develops concepts of physical risk, game structures, intimacy, vulnerability, power and manipulation.  

Company Chameleon’s work is a co-promotion by DiGM and The Lowry, supported by the University of Salford and Arts Council England North West.

Tickets are priced £5 – £7.50. For more details, please click here.