Illuminate
This Autumn, we’re proud to present our biggest commission to date. On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 November, we will present Illuminate, a new site-specific production at the iconic Manchester Central Library.
A journey of seven stories, the piece will combine new dance, music and light art in a visually stunning and extraordinary performance.
Seven stories have underpinned literature since the beginning of time and this is their contemporary reimagining. From the inner monster to the superhero, from the tragedy of division to the pure joy of true love, Illuminate will explore the stories that help us to understand ourselves, and our place in the world in which we live.
Seven scenes in seven spaces will take you to the past, present and future in a captivating mix of live performance around Central Library. As light art twists interiors and shifts perceptions, and an original and live soundtrack plays out, a rich blend of dance and movement will take you on a journey like no other.
Our Co-Artistic Director, Kevin Edward Turner is directing and choreographing the piece, he said, “I’m really proud that we are creating Illuminate as it’s Chameleon’s biggest production and commission to date. I’m particularly happy that it’s taking place in our home city of Manchester and that it coincides with Chameleon’s 10th anniversary year. To have the opportunity to create a production in one of the city’s landmarks is really exciting, and I hope that the performance introduces our work to new people across the city, and that the people who come to see us are engaged and inspired by what they see.”
Illuminate will feature a mix of international artists, rising talents and homegrown performers, and in total, will be brought to life by an ensemble of 60 dancers, musicians and collaborators.
We are delighted to be working with the dance and music departments at Salford University and Edge Hill University to audition, and give students from the North West, the opportunity to be part of the production. Members of our youth dance company, Chameleon Youth, who train at Manchester Central Library, will also be given the opportunity to perform.
Illuminate takes place as part of Library Live, Manchester Central Library’s cultural events programme, where unexpected, sociable and stimulating things happen. Since launch in 2014, Library Live has pushed the boundaries of what a library can be and how it engages with audiences. From film nights and gigs to author readings and talks, Library Live features a real assortment of events, blending the traditional with the unconventional.
Zoe Williams, Culture Lead at Manchester City Council, said: “We are very excited to be working with Manchester’s Company Chameleon on Illuminate. Their energy, creativity and passion for dance and Manchester is just what Library Live is all about. And you’ll see all that in bags in this brand new performance especially created for our Central Library – as well as comedy, tradegy and romance. What more could you want?”
Illuminate, which is a FREE event, promises to be a transformative and immersive cultural experience at Central Library. Tickets are limited so we advise to book early to avoid disappointment.
Information & Booking
Dates: Fri 24 Nov & Sat 25 Nov
Times: 7pm & 9pm
Venue: Manchester Central Library
Free event
Booking essential as tickets are limited for each performance | Performance duration: approx 1 hour
Pop–in | Pop–up: Chameleon presents
In the week leading up to Illumniate, we will be presenting a series of free countdown events at Central Library. No need to book, just come along.
Mon 20 Nov, 12-2pm
Pop–up: listen
A lunchtime performance of live music and a chance to hear the new and original soundtrack by award-winning composer, Miguel Marin, which features in the Illuminate production.
Tues 21 Nov, 1pm
Pop–up: see
Chameleon make the open air their stage and perform a pop-up dance piece outside Central Library’s main entrance.
Wed 22 Nov, 4-5pm
Preview
We open up the sides of the performance space to create a stage for professional dancers from all over the world as they share their own creative responses to Company Chameleon’s powerful and original movement style in an informal presentation.
Thurs 23 Nov, 10am-5pm
Open rehearsals
Go behind the scenes and see the rehearsal and pre-production process unfold as Company Chameleon and their ensemble of 60 dancers, musicians and collaborators take over Central Library, ahead of the first performance of Illuminate on Friday night.
