Aberdeen’s Dance Live festival is the only Scottish date on Retina Dance Company’s new touring productions this autumn.

A fast-moving, intricate and multi-layered production, Layers Of Skin is the new touring piece from Retina Dance Company combining the company’s bold, physical and challenging choreography with participatory dance and live music.

Dance Live’s Artistic Director Andy Howitt said “We are delighted that a company of Retina’s standing has chosen Aberdeen to host its Scottish premiere of this outstanding piece of work.   The company has also selected a number of local dancers to work alongside them which will provide a unique experience for these individuals.”

Layers of Skin is Retina’s most ambitious work to date. The core of the work is fixed and constant with additional layers added by inviting and nurturing non-professional dancers to perform alongside the company’s dancers. The piece encompasses live contemporary music from Joris Vanvinckenroye and his vibrant Belgian chamber rock ensemble Aranis.

Artistic Director, Filip Van Huffel, explains the creative thinking behind Layers of Skin, “I especially want to show that a dance performance, that largely remains abstract, can express something that is very specific. I hope Layers of Skin treats the audience to sheer energy and dynamism on stage. Dance for me is still an ideal way to get to know the eventful world around us!”

Layers of Skin is a dynamic and constantly changing production that will take the audience on a journey of movement with power, sensitivity and versatility accompanied by exquisite music that lies between the finesse of classical music and the excitement of pop. It is very much a ‘multilayered’ performance event of dance and movement – bringing together both professional and community performers to work together on stage as a venue-specific dance company.

The piece received its premiere performance at Cultuurcentrum Berchem in Antwerp in June. Speaking about the performance, Filip Van Huffel commented, “The premiere in Antwerp was amazing and really good fun. People came out talking about all the different aspects of the piece and I’m really excited to be presenting this new show in the UK, I think the combination of the Retina dancers and community dancers specific to each venue coupled with the live music will make Layers of Skin a interesting, exciting and constantly evolving piece. I’m really looking forward to working with dancers from across the UK in presenting Retina’s latest work”

Source: Aberdeen Dance Live