Breaking New Ground
10 September 2025At first glance, Company Chameleon and classical music orchestra, Manchester Camerata might seem worlds apart, as organisations specialising in different art forms and working in different cultural spheres.
However, upon a closer look, what you find is two of Manchester’s cultural champions, united by their commitment to breaking down barriers to the arts and making change through creativity.
Through their work, Manchester Camerata are constantly questioning and challenging what an orchestra does. In the same vein, Company Chameleon are constantly pushing the boundaries of what dance can be.
It’s not surprising then, that here at Chameleon, we’re super excited to be collaborating with Manchester Camerata on Black Skies over Blue Hawaii, a new performance not to be missed in Manchester this Autumn.
Our Co-Artistic Director, Kevin Edward Turner MBE, tells us more.
1) Hi Kev, tell us more about this fantastic collaboration!
Black Skies over Blue Hawaii is a unique collaboration between Manchester Camerata and Company Chameleon, which culminates in a concert performance in Manchester on Thursday 30th October.
What makes the collaboration unique is the way that the performance breaks down the barriers between the dancers and musicians.
The musicians will not be in the orchestra pit separated from the performers on stage. Instead, they will be part of the performance, moving and playing on stage as an integral part of the movement and choreography.
It’s not often you see a full orchestra memorise a huge section of music then play the music whilst moving on stage alongside a company of dancers. This promises to be brilliant to watch!
What’s more, the University of Salford’s MA dance students will be part of the cast moving with Chameleon’s Dancers and Camerata’s musicians on stage. The costumes will be made by BA Costume Design students from the University of Salford too.
It’s an exciting collaboration all round!
2) What have you enjoyed about collaborating with Manchester Camerata?
There’s something unique and special about Manchester Camerata. It’s not just their incredible musicians and the music they play; it’s the way they embrace collaboration and experimentation, try new things and don’t shy away from taking risks. Their ethos speaks to me as an artist and it complements our approach at Chameleon, which is why together we’ve been able to create something really special.
3) How did you approach creating the choreography?
The choreographic process began with working closely with Chameleon’s Company Dancers and the University of Salford’s MA students to create and develop the movement language. The focus then shifted to workshopping and developing the ideas through working with the musicians at Camerata.
The incredible music is central to the work and in many respects has been my guide to creating the choreography. Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 ‘Haffner’ is such a beautiful and powerful piece of music, it’s felt like the choreography has naturally developed to its sound and structure.
4) Why is Black Skies over Blue Hawaii a must see for both dance and classical music audiences this Autumn?
Black Skies over Blue Hawaii is a must see because the performance will break new ground in what a dance company and orchestra can do through collaboration and finding new ways to make and create work together.
The concert is a chance to experience divine choreography and sublime music working in synergy with one another, expanding notions of what’s possible between the two artforms.
If you are interested in seeing something bold, ambitious and new, then this concert is for you!
INFO & TICKETS
Black Skies over Blue Hawaii
Thursday 30 October, 7.30pm
Stoller Hall, Manchester City Centre
Tickets: £25 – £37.50. FTE £5. GORTON RESIDENTS £3
Image: Manchester Camerata photo by Mark Allen