201 Dance Company presents the UK tour of SKIN

This is not my body this is not my body this is not my body

FOLLOWING a successful run at Edinburgh Fringe 2017, 201 Dance Company are pleased to present a UK tour of their acclaimed show SKIN. This intimate journey of self-discovery will be performed this Autumn, from Wednesday 17th October at Harlow Playhouse

This outstanding dance/theatre piece explores a boy’s journey through gender transition. Blending urban and contemporary hip-hop style and original music, award winning choreographer Andrea Walker directs a cast of 7 dancers in a fast paced, emotionally charged story of identity, family, mental health and belonging.

201 Dance Company | Skin | Trailer from 201 Dance Company on Vimeo.

Stand out dance of the Summer – THE GUARDIAN

“Packs an emotional punch, steering hip hop into fresh territory” – THE TIMES ★★★★

“A talent to watch” – EVENING STANDARD ★★★★★

“The narrative is clear, direct and incredibly heart wrenching” – LGBTY Scotland ★★★★★ “Thrilling…Thought provoking” EDINBURH CULTURE

In just four years 201 Dance Company have created a buzz at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and throughout the UK with their unique style of dance with a theatrical narrative. The company strive to confront issues and challenge social prejudices. Their performances crosses genres and has also been seen in New York at the Manhattan Movement Center and New York Symphony Space; 201 Dance Company had 3 consecutive sell-out years at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and won an outstanding award for choreography developed at The Broadway Dance Center. In August 2015 choreographer Andrea Walker was nominated for an Inspire: Change Maker Award by London Dance.

SKIN is notable for bringing the issue of mental health in young trans people to a popular art form. In 2017, Stonewall reported that 45% of trans youth attempted suicide, 84% self-harmed, 64% experienced transphobic bullying, and 9% received death threats at school. 71% of LGBTQ+ youth said teachers did not intervene when they witnessed LGBTQ+ bullying, while 40% of students are never taught about LGBTQ+ issues. This suggests a need for more conversations and public awareness surrounding the mental health of transgender youth, and issue that 201 Dance Company are keen to be part of the conversation.

Alongside performances of SKIN, 201 Dance Company will partner with Gendered Intelligence, a trans-led awareness raising and advocacy company, to run training that aims to make arts centres more inclusive and welcoming for trans audiences, artists, and participants.

WEB: 201dancecompany.com 201DanceCompany | @201DanceCompany | instagram: @201dancecompany | Trailer: https://vimeo.com/227385930

HARLOW PLAYHOUSE, 17 October, 730pm 01279 431945 harlowplayhouse.co.uk