Performance Art piece by Melanie Manchot, The Choirs, debuted

The culmination of artist Melanie Manchot’s residency at the North West Cambridge Development was performed in a poignant, humorous and heartfelt interpretation of what it means to be part of a new community.

During her residency Melanie engaged with post doc researchers from diverse disciplines through a series of seminars she termed ‘cross talks’. These discussions explored the future of friendship, shelter and community in the context of the North West Cambridge Development and in relation to current socio-political climates.

These conversations informed the production of two packed out performances – the first for the new Storey’s Field Community Centre in Eddington.

Four radical choirs joined together, surrounding audiences seated in the centre of the space and performing through pagan ritual, drama, drawing, clowning and slam poetry.

The Choirs captured the very essence of Manchot’s enquiry, highlighting the diversity that makes up the communities of Cambridge.

Each year at North West Cambridge Development, artists are appointed to work in collaboration with different University of Cambridge departments relevant to the current phase of the development.

Melanie’s residency is the ninth in a programme of artist residencies at North West Cambridge Development managed by the Contemporary Art Society.