Feb 2017 | Chameleon to light up Manchester Central Library

As a company with strong Manchester roots, we’re over the moon to announce we have been awarded our largest commission to date to create and perform Illuminate, an original dance in seven sequences, which will take over Manchester Central Library in Autumn 2017.

Across the course of one spectacular evening, whole spaces in the iconic Manchester Central Library building will be reimagined through light, music and of course dance. An outreach community programme across Greater Manchester libraries will follow after the performance.

Kevin Turner, Chameleon’s Co-Artistic Director, will choreograph the event, which will involve professional, newly-trained and youth company dancers. Part of Manchester City Council’s Library Live initiative, Illuminate builds on the theme of moving towards light and understanding.

The 2017 event follows on from the Brighter Sound produced ‘Chaos to Order’ takeover of Manchester’s libraries in 2014. ‘Chaos to Order’, curated by Manchester rock band Everything Everything, celebrated libraries as creative, cultural spaces and featured a performance from Company Chameleon. This time we are excited and honoured to take the lead on such an important project in our home city.

Manchester is integral to what we do at Company Chameleon – both Kevin and Co-Artist Director Anthony Missen were born and grew up in Manchester, after touring the world performing they returned home in 2007 to set up Company Chameleon and have been contributing to the dance and cultural landscape in Manchester ever since. The adaptability of Chameleon’s work means that it can be performed in any space but we are particularly looking forward to being able to create work in one of the most iconic buildings in the city.

Kevin Edward Turner, Co-Artistic Director of Company Chameleon, said:

“I remember when I was younger, as a child I’d walk past the library and be amazed by its architecture. It always reminded me of Greece or Rome and these far away places. I would spend time in the library loving being surrounded by books, each one a whole world in to itself. 

Now as an artist, I feel great fortune to be able to make and create a piece that is inspired and takes place in the library building. The library is not only an cultural icon and landmark in Manchester but is also a national icon in the country. I look forward to animating the building and transforming how the public perceive and engage with the space through dance and movement. Illuminate promises to be a really exciting opportunity for Chameleon and I can’t wait for us to get started on creation of the production.”

Keep an eye on the website and our social media channels for more about Illiminate coming soon. Find out more about Library Live here: www.librarylive.co.uk