An Artist's Story
Published 13 October 2008
In 2007 Kompany Malakhi presented a work-in-progress piece at the 3rd decibel Performing Arts Showcase. We caught up with Joanne Peters, the company’s General Manager to find out what has happened since presenting their work at the showcase.
'''Tell us a little about the company?'''
“Kompany Malakhi is an innovative dance theatre company based in the South West of England. Our work seeks to challenge and deconstruct preconceptions through a fresh and exciting physical language. Kompany Malakhi’s productions bring together a myriad of influences from physical theatre, hip hop culture and contemporary dance.
"The company offers a unique and unexpected performance style and attracts a young, diverse audience to both its theatre and site-specific productions.
'''What made you apply to present your work at the showcase?'''
We applied for decibel Performing Arts Showcase 2007 to raise the profile of our organisation to promoters, programmers and venues. Our aims were to represent diverse arts practice from the South-West region, show a work-in-progress: Boxin, and receive feedback on our work.
We also hoped to introduce the new management team of the organisation to the arts sector, network with the creative industries and engage in critical dialogue about diverse arts practice in the UK and internationally.
'''What affect did the showcase have on the company?'''
“We had a very positive showcase and were able to achieve all of our aims. Our work was well received - the feedback was positive and very useful in terms of the contribution it made to the projects’ development. We made contacts with a number of venues and programmers who have booked Boxin as a result of seeing it at decibel.
Consequently we have developed our work–in-progress into a full length performance which will tour nationally in spring and autumn 2009.
'''What stands out for you from your involvement with the showcase?'''
“After meeting at decibel we have built a relationship with an international director (Dr Daniel Banks) who is working with us as a consultant Director to develop the full length performance.
"Feedback we received at decibel has led us to consider our production values and build on character development within the performance. We have also used discussions at the showcase to influence the making of the work artistically in terms of drawing out key themes.
“Showing our work at the showcase helped us to secure tour dates, which in turn strengthened the applications we made to support the tour of this work.”
'''Tour details'''
Kompany Malakhi will be touring Boxin in Spring and Autumn 2009. Confirmed dates so far are:
12 February 2009 – Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton
26 February 2009 – Salisbury Arts Centre
6 March 2009 – MacRobert Theatre, Stirling
13 and 14 March 2009 – Northcott Theatre, Exeter
18 March 2009 – Yorkshire Dance and the Carriage Works, Leeds
19 March 2009 – Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury
24 March 2009 – Roses Theatre – Tewkesbury
26 March 2009 – South Holland Centre, Spalding
28 March 2009 – New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
2 April 2009 – East London dance at Stratford Circus
20 May 2009 – The Hawth, Crawley
Boxin breaks down obstacles by using physical theatre, dance, hip hop culture, and parkour. The set becomes the sixth performer creating an ever-changing landscape as a metaphor for social barriers in 21st century society. (85 mins, including interval, 5 on stage, 9 on the road.)
