THE Artrix's reputation as a venue for challenging art has been increasing in recent months and a new piece of work by the Ace Dance Company is set to enhance that claim even further.

Ace are renowned for mixing African, Carribean and contemporary styles and inject some sexual politics into their latest production, Real.

The show delves deep into the portrayal of women in an increasingly image conscious society.

It tries to look past the countless media portrayals of women into what the modern female is really about. Real explores sexuality, body-image and draws on inspirations from different cultures to explore the identities of women.

The show is made of three, 25 minute pieces, choreographed by three separate artists and performed by six female dancers, with integrated video projection and recorded and live music.

The first piece examines women living in an oppressive state set around the 1920s, the second uses mirrors to look at women's roles and the final one explores beauty, femininity and power. Real starts at the Artrix on Tuesday, June 20 (8pm start). Tickets costs £10 (£8 concession) and can be bought from the box office on 01527 577330.