Coalesce Dance Theatre’s latest production, Mika and the Polar Bear, is an imaginative and unforgettable journey into the wonders of our natural world, with friendship, compassion, and the power of hope at its centre. We sat down with Rachel and Fern, the founder of Coalesce Dance, to talk about it.
Mika and the Polar Bear was created in direct response to the climate crisis. What was the first spark for this piece?
We were interested in developing a show that was a suitable and interesting alternative to a traditional English pantomime. We wanted to be able to offer theatre spaces a non-traditional show, that although being winter themed, could appeal to a really wide audience. We definitely knew we wanted to make another children’s show with climate themes, as this is a huge part of our Companies identity. Although our past show The Old Green Time Machine was really successfully in library and rural touring, it began to have outdated research and approaches. This was really what sparked the early conversations for Mika and the Polar Bear.
The show is designed for audiences of all ages. How do you approach making work that speaks to children?
All the work we make for children and young people begins with something called co-creation. This is where we basically work with groups of young people to help formulate ideas and elements that might exist within the work. They help develop the story, the characters, and the overall world that we develop for this story to live within. This process tests how children and young people want to interact with the ideas, ensuring the choices we make further down the line are informed by their needs and wants. By centering children in the process, the work we produce ends up being more successful, suitable and something that young people want to engage with. We believe it’s really important to try and make the show with their perspective of the world at the very forefront of our decision making.
Mika is swept into a constantly shifting world. What does movement allow you to express about uncertainty that words might struggle to capture?
Movement is a universal language. It’s used to express feelings way before we have the skills of language and words. Sometimes movement allows us to communicate on a really intrinsic level. We can communicate really complex and strong emotions and feelings just by using our bodies. It can be understood by both children and adults because it strips things right back. Everyone understands what a hug is. We don’t need words to explain what’s happening. Proximity, touch, and physical expression is sometimes so powerful, if you were to use words you would be saying the same thing twice.
Alongside performance, you run long-standing programmes like DanceConnect and Coalesce Youth Dance. How do those relationships with young dancers feed back into your creative work?
This year four young dancers from our Youth Company have made the transition to our youth advisory board, which was formed in early 2025. This youth boards helps The Coalesce Board of Trustees by offering youth voice for company direction and decision making. They are able to provide unique perspectives and understanding that ultimately supports and guides the company. This shift has had an incredibly positive impact on the last production we made Threads, as well as informing plans for future productions. This also provides those young people with more creative opportunities to learn about the sector, through organisational development meetings, shadowing and mentorship during projects. The youth board will be joining us during production week for Mika. Catch their takeover on social media!
As lecturers as well as artists, what do you feel is most important to pass on to the next generation of dance-makers right now?
We are still seeing some of the fall out from Covid on the young people we teach. Low self-esteem and confidence is a really prolific issue. Mental health and wellbeing is a really important part of what we advocate for in our practice. Taking care of your mind, as well as your body, and surrounding yourself with positive people who affirm you is so vital. We hope to provide spaces in all the places we teach dance that are safe, welcoming and filled with joy. We want young people to find dance as a vehicle through which they can grow and develop with confidence and support.
Mika and the Polar Bear tours to Leeds, Burnley, Ellesmere Port, Oxford and Z-arts this spring. For tickets see: www.coalescedancetheatre.com/dates