Under the direction of multi-disciplinary artist Shane Shambhu, Altered Skin creates dynamic work that uses universal stories and life events as a framework to explore far deeper themes. The company’s productions blend movement and sharply written text, drawing on contemporary artistic practice and the easily misunderstood tradition of bharatanatyam.
Altered Skin’s dance theatre duet When We See Ourselves centres on Vanessa and Aravindan whose unexpected romance is beset by cultural differences. It is set against the texts of 18th century botanist Carl Linneaus, whose early attempts to classify all living things had far-reaching and devastating consequences. With the instinct of theatre for clear communication and dance’s ability to get inside a moment and expand it, When We See Ourselves moves deftly between moods, scenes and characters, making visible the pair’s struggle to think differently.
When We See Ourselves is available to tour from November 2027.
