Outside of the box in Berlin
3 January 2017This January we are thrilled to present our Berlin debut. We head to the city for the first time to perform Beauty Of The Beast at the PURPLE Internationales Tanzfestival, a brand new dance event for young audiences.
PURPLE is a week long festival, playing host to seven dance companies from Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Prato and Manchester, showcasing 19 performances across five different spaces aimed at young people.
Artistic Director of the new festival Canan Erek says:
“Our goal is to make young people curious and enthusiastic about dance. To do so, we have put together a joyful and energetic program. We do not only wish to diversify young people’s viewing habits, but also encourage them to participate, empathise, and think outside the box.”
Choreographed by Anthony Missen, Beauty Of The Beast (The Guardian ★★★★, The List Magazine ★★★★, Herald Scotsman ★★★★) is Company Chameleon’s critically acclaimed dance piece, exploring male group dynamics.
Following a group of friends through a range of scenarios, the piece explores gang culture, masculinity and what is means to be a man in the 21st century. Laugh out loud funny in parts, dark and menacing in others, Beauty Of The Beast uncovers the many faces of masculinity whilst showcasing Chameleon’s original and inspiring movement style.
Talking about why Beauty Of The Beauty should appeal to a young audience, Anthony said:
“In one way, Beauty Of The Beast is a snapshot of some of the things you encounter in the day-to-day as you find your way and grow up in life. It paints part of the picture of the different ways you interact and behave around your peers in order to fit in and belong. It’s a powerful piece with some strong messages, but having said that, there’s a lot of hope and fun in there too.
Whether the young people are regular theatre-goers or not, they’ll know it and they’ll get it. They will relate to some of the characters in the piece and will be familiar with some of the scenarios that are in there, such as being swept along with your mates, doing things you wouldn’t normally do and enjoying the experiencing of being an idiot!
The way that young people consume things today is fast and furious and for this reason stylistically Beauty Of The Beast should appeal too; the pace of it and the way the piece moves through different worlds.”
Alongside the performances, the festival programme also includes a Q&A and roundtable discussion with Company Chameleon’s Co-Artistic Director Kevin Edward Turner, and a series of workshops for young people, school groups and teachers delivered by Chameleon.
With lots of interest, and the second performance already sold out, Berlin promises to be an exciting first trip of 2017.
Beauty Of The Beast performances take place on Tues 24 & Weds 25 Jan 2017. Find out more about PURPLE Internationales Tanzfestival. Visit our Tour Dates page for a full list of our current touring programme.