one4review | On 20, Aug 2017

The 201 Dance Company tell the story of a boy’s gender transition through their contemporary urban dance production.
I would not expect urban hip-hop style dancing as a way of expressing such an emotional journey however, with Andrea Walkers outstanding choreography set to original music composed by Ross Allchurch, you are completely drawn into this very moving story.
This is all achieved by the superb performance from a cast of seven dancers. Michaela Cisarikova, the principle dancer, provides a wonderfully energetic and emotional performance of the battle she is having with a body that does not feel like her own. The rest of the cast do an amazing job of enhancing her confusion, anxiety, torment and frustration through their expressive dance performance.
Lara McCabe plays the role of the mother with wonderful sensitivity and the young Lyla Forrester delivers a confident performance as her child. From the outset, they both successfully demonstrate the expectations of gender from a young age and how confusing this is when you can’t relate to it. Get your tissues ready for the emotional routine of a mother’s love and acceptance after a gender transformation has taken place.
A flawless production, even the stage lighting is used incredibly well, reflecting the mood throughout the entire programme. These young talented dancers provided an amazing storytelling performance.
Reviewed by Lynn
Skin – 201 Dance Company
Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Beyond – 20:00
2nd Aug – 28th Aug