Skin

At the end of November 2008 we completed our third and final UK tour of the much-acclaimed Skin. Press, having seen Skin, had to following to say:

"–two men, four women, three white, three black–and Japanese and South African
choreographers. The dancers perform with style and discipline…technical ability and sheer physicality… and it’s pretty exhilarating to watch too!” The Birmingham Post

“With a stylistic mix that stretches from Africa, through the Caribbean and Europe and across to Japan, Skin marks a fresh departure for this bold Birmingham outfit… Skin promises another step forward for a company on the edge of breaking into the big league.” Metro

“Letlalo has a warm, vibrant resonance to it, full of emotion and expression, and the dancers really look as if it is part of them, not just executing the steps. It is energetic and magical.” The Stage

"It made me want to leap out of my seat and dance…the dancers moved with such ease and flexibility. The atmosphere was almost electric. It was so alive and so visual. I was completely speechless and so was everyone around me! The performance really made me think about my skin and what it means, and what it tells the world around us. Overall I thought it was a 10 out of 10 performance and a night I’ll never forget!” Norwich Evening News

"Where ‘Blind Trip’ is dance as conflict, ‘Letlalo’ is dance as incantation. Together they create a fascinating journey beneath the skin we are individually and collectively in." Claire Boot, Whatsonstage Midlands

VIP's

Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP paid a visit to the ACE dance and music studio on Tuesday 30th September 2008 whilst in Birmingham for the Conservative Party conference. He was joined by Arts Council Chief Executive Alan Davey. They were treated to performances from our current touring production Skin and, at Jeremy’s request, an impromptu Afro-fusion class led by South African Rehearsal Director Luyanda Sidiya.Jeremy and Alan also got to chat with Directors Ian and Gail Parmel, the company dancers and members of ACE Youth.

Jeremy said, “I enjoyed both performances enormously – and indeed the Afro-fusion! The technical skills, agility and timing were outstanding, and I am sure your tour will be a huge success. I look forward to hearing about ACE going from strength to strength.”

Minister of Culture Margaret Hodge came to watch ACE perform at London's Southbank Centre. Here's what she had to say: "ACE Dance’s performance at the Purcell Room on the South Bank was also great. The six dancers came from South Africa, Italy and the UK, and they performed two pieces, one choreographed by a Japanese choreographer, the other by an African. I was hugely impressed by the taut control of the first half of the show which contrasted vividly with the energy and the pace of the second half..."