SKIN REIMAGINED

Rich in contrast and leaping gracefully between ancient spirituality and science, SKIN Reimagined explores what lies beneath the skin.

This powerful double bill directed by Gail and Ian Parmel, reignites ACE’s collaboration with international choreographers Vincent Mantsoe of South Africa and Akiko Kitamura from Japan.

SKIN Reimagined explores what it means to be human. Dancers react and interact to create a heightened energy and awareness that transcends our physical form. We are individuals yet there is a seed of humanity that connects us all.

Our brand new company dancers interpret these fundamental themes in a way that is both fresh and timeless. Their vitality and raw physicality leaves the audience breathless.

Kitamura’s work Blind Trip is a wildly explorative, intelligent piece that asks as many questions as it answers. The stage resembles a clinical laboratory, with futuristic projections, immersive soundscape and dynamic stage lighting. Movement is inspired by the ceremony of fighting; dancers invade each other’s space with respect while reading our invisible signals and the microscopic details of the feelings of our skin which awaken every emotion that we have.

Letlalo, or Skin in Mantsoe’s mother tongue Sotho, has its roots firmly planted in African culture and spirituality. Letlalo takes the audience on a journey through time and is about human power and spirit. It examines what lies beneath our skin from the perspective that we live in a complex world of race where the colour of our skin is what we see but not the true essence of the human being.

Artistic Directors:
Gail & Ian Parmel

Choreography:
Akiko Kitamura & Vincent Mantsoe

Composers:
Keiichiro Shibuya & Peter Maxwell-Dixon

Musical Arrangement:
Ian Parmel & Junior Willocks

Projections:
Akihiko Kaneko

Costume:
Anna Lewis

Costume:
Anna Lewis

Lighting:
Jack Weir

Design:
www.theliftcreativeservices.com

“Inspirational”

The Birmingham Post

“Letlalo meaning Skin) has a warm vibrant resonance to it, full of emotion and expression, and the dancers really look as if it is a part of them. It is energetic and magical.”

The Stage

“With a stylistic mix that stretches from Africa, through the Caribbean and across to Japan, SKIN marks a fresh departure for this bold Birmingham outfit.”

Metro