Joining the Dance Ambassador Scheme is something that has led to many amazing doors opening. One of which was our recent visit to the Birmingham Royal Ballet in December.

The day started off bright and early in Manchester as we boarded a train, after a not very straight forward trip we arrived at BRB where we watched the morning ladies class which was totally magical! The next bit of our day involved watching the breath taking technical setup and exploring the stage in between which we took a close look at the costumes for the upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast that will be at The Lowry in January and The Nutcracker.

It was extremely interesting and humbling to have the opportunity to discover the backstage of such an amazing company like BRB. All of these amazing opportunities came to an end as we watched the matinee of the Nutcracker, I can honestly say the show is one of my ultimate favourites and although the day got off to a complex start, I came home with a huge smile on my face!

I would recommend the upcoming Beauty and the Beast to anyone, old or young because I know the company have put their heart and souls into creating something as magical and enchanting as is humanly possible. No one will be disappointed.

Beauty and the Beast Ambra Vallo as the Wild Girl and Nao Sakuma as Belle, photo credit Graeme Braidwood.

The Lowry Northwest dance ambassadors were lucky enough to be invited to Birmingham by the Birmingham Royal to have a sneaky peak at what lay in store for their Lowry visit with Beauty and the Beast.

We were met at Birmingham Royal Ballet by Simon Harper, the Media and PR manager, and our host for the day, and were rushed into the studio to catch the last 15 minutes of the ladies class which was an amazing insight into the day of a professional ballerina, as after what looked like an exhausting class they still had a matinee and evening show to go on to.

After the class we were lead through a maze of corridors for the backstage tour, we were shown where the dancers dress and how the costumes are set up ready for the quick changes, we got to see the tutu’s up close and all of the intricate details put into all of the costumes. The wardrobe department is truly incredible with rows and rows of tutus and tights, huge baskets full of shoes for every character you can imagine and a storeroom filled floor to ceiling with fabric ready to test new costumes and designs. We were shown Belle’s dresses and the Beasts terrifying costume not only is the idea of dancing in something so heavy scary, but it looks like the gothic fairytale character will really be brought to life.

We were then taken through to the auditorium to watch the technical set up for that afternoon’s performance of the Nutcracker, and later they allowed us on stage to meet Diana Childs the senior stage manager where she shown up how the Christmas tree was built and where the snow is hidden. She also talked about the task of adapting the Nutcracker for it’s performance at the 02 in London, and how amazingly in order to stage it with the most benefit for the audience they have to perform on a smaller stage.

After an amazing morning sneaking around backstage we watched the Nutcracker, it was great to see a really traditional interpretation of the ballet that left you lost in a fantasy Christmassy world.

If the story and fantasy portrayed by the dancers in the Nutcracker is anything to go by I’m sure the amazing company of the Birmingham Royal Ballet artists will really bring the true dark side of the Beauty and the Beast to life and leave you feeling haunted.

Beauty and the Beast Nao Sakuma as Belle and Iain Mackay as the Prince, photo credit Graeme Braidwood.

Recently a few of the Lowry Youth Dance Ambassadors got the chance to visit Birmingham Royal Ballet for the day.

The dance ambassadors had the opportunity to sit in on the Ladies rehearsal for the Nutcracker. They also got a backstage tour and watched a technical rehearsal.

Every dance ambassador agreed that being given a tour of the stage and being able to stand on the same stage as members of the company do, was an amazing once in a life time opportunity.

The Dance ambassadors were also given access to the wardrobe department where we all got a sneak peak at some of the beautiful costumes which are to be used when Birmingham Royal Ballet brings its production of Beauty and The Beast to The Lowry theatre in January. The costumes were lovely; they felt so delicate and looked very pretty. They will without a doubt look amazing on stage.

The dance ambassadors had an unforgettable day, which was topped off by seeing a matinee performance of The Nutcracker.

It was my first experience of seeing Ballet and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The dedication that Birmingham Royal Ballet has is second to none. I enjoyed myself so much I have booked tickets to take my Mum to see Beauty and The Beast in January when BRB brings it to the Lowry so that she to can experience Birmingham Royal Ballet and the phenomenal shows they put on.

Company Chameleon believes in dance theatre as a vital method for social change and this is evident in their work. Their attention to detail and constant desire to improve and grow as a company has allowed them to perform, teach and inspire audiences everywhere.

On the 26 October 2011 I, along with a group of other ambassadors had the chance to meet Company Chameleon and sit in on the company rehearsing for their upcoming show ‘Gameshow’ which will premiere at The Lowry on 16th and 17 of November.

After watching the company in rehearsal we were able to sit down with Anthony and Kevin and discuss their success and ask questions we might have.

I asked Kevin and Anthony whether they ever felt restricted by what they could do because there was just two of them. Neither of them saw this as limiting. They believe that because there is just two of them it allows them to think in different ways and that, in turn directs the company and choreography. They made it clear that they encourage mistakes and try to see things from a different perspective, there are many ways to represent an idea and something that may seem a negative at first can actually be a positive.

As we had just watched them rehearse scenes from their latest piece ‘Gameshow’ I thought it would be appropriate to ask what first inspired them to create the piece. Their immediate response was the idea that we are constantly being bombarded by celebrity culture and advertising 24/7. There is no escape. It is almost brainwashing. Anthony made the comment that he had not owned a TV for almost ten years, yet he still knew who Jedward was. He thought that was scandalous. I agree.

The company agreed that being the Lowry’s dance company in residence had been of huge benefit to them. They are able to premiere work at the Lowry and use their studios. Company Chameleon are committed to the education and teaching of young people, its how they first got involved with dance and so feel obliged to give something back. They feel it a responsibility make dance accessible for youngsters. Therefore being heavily involved at the Lowry enables them to have a strong connection with young people and offer provision to the next generation of budding performers in Greater Manchester.

When asked whether they were ever completely satisfied with their performance they looked at each other instantly, smiled, took a deep breath and began to answer. Kevin said he rarely gave a perfect performance and that he believed perfection was an illusion. Company Chameleon are naturally very self-critical because not only do they dance the piece, they choreograph it too. As the choreographers the two them, alone, will know when something is performed perfectly. As audience members we don’t know and never will.

Meeting with Company Chameleon was incredible. Antony and Kevin sharing their experiences as dancers was invaluable-what they say and the tips they gave are the ones that truly count.

The Lowry Youth Dance Ambassador Scheme aims to create opportunities for young people with an interest for dance in the North West of England to work with world-renowned choreographers and dancers on a number of levels; whether that be holding interviews, writing reviews, watching rehearsals or being mentored by dancers.

On Wed 26 October a few of ambassadors watched a rehearsal of Gameshow, here's what they had to say:

Charlie Jones >

On Wed 26 October 2011, I experienced a one off chance to look into the rehearsal of the Company Chameleon new dance – Gameshow. The show is about desire, seduction and manipulation. It addresses the ideas of celebrity and the success in the modern world - what will be won and what will be sacrificed in the name of fame. The amazing choreography blew me away…

I am definitely going to watch The Gameshow at The Lowry, having watched the rehearsal it looks incredible, so be prepared to step into another dimension of dance like never before. Being part of Dance Ambassador Scheme is truly sensational, especially when I have the privilege of experiencing events like these!

Freya Haworth >

Gameshow portrays society’s (in particular the youth section) obsession with the latest “must have” gadgets and bang on trend mobiles. Anthony and Kevin are against this shallow, materialistic approach to life and having met them we learnt that one of the members has not owned a TV for ten years and he believes that his creativity and imagination is stronger because of this. It was a very interesting evening... I found it a useful experience watching them rehearse and interact with each other - a rare insight “behind the scenes”.

Isabel Anderson >

As a Youth Dance Ambassador, I have been fortunate enough to be able to meet with Company Chameleon. This opportunity involved the chance to sit in on a rehearsal of Company Chameleon’s new piece ‘Game show’ and during the short time we spent watching them gave me such an insight into the process of creating the fantastic shows that they do.

During the rehearsal we saw how much time and effort went into every move, and how each tiny detail was worked on until it became perfect…

This was an amazing opportunity to meet two fantastic dancers and I am very excited to watch their performance which is bound to be unique, captivating and hilarious all in one go!

Kelly McFarland >

It was interesting to watch the process and see how it was choreographed. The particular section they were working on had been run many times and been re-worked so many times that both Anthony Missen and Kevin Edward Turner (The company directors) had different ideas on how the section should look.

Watching Kevin and Anthony work out the sequence so that they were both comfortable with the choreography was mind-blowing. I wanted to see more, as if the little snippet I saw in rehearsal is anything to by “Gameshow” stands to be one of the best dance shows the Lowry has hosted this season. I cannot wait to see the full show.

Rachel Pollitt >

Company Chameleon believes in dance theatre as a vital method for social change and this is evident in their work. Their attention to detail and constant desire to improve and grow as a company has allowed them to perform, teach and inspire audiences everywhere…

Meeting with Company Chameleon was incredible. Antony and Kevin sharing their experiences as dancers was invaluable-what they say and the tips they gave are the ones that truly count. Read the full review here…