The shows within Dance Base’s studio and across Assembly venues were as interesting and varied as you would normally expect. A quite unique performance was “Habitat” from Petrikor Danse. “Habitat” is a solo show, choreographed and performed by Bettina Szabo and inspired by the artist’s emigration from Uruguay to Canada. With the use of a large paper structure with hedgehog-like spikes (designed by Jacinthe Derasp), Szabo moves through different animal states and environments: from feral to vulnerable, from seemingly underwater to on land. The depiction is primordially recognisable, while also somewhat alien by using brightly coloured integrated lights within the structure. By the end of the performance, it appears as though this creature has migrated to space: beautiful rainbow coloured lighting illuminates the back of the stage and she walks through it, disappearing from view, escaping from constraints. A quiet but perfectly executed work. Moving from solos to group choreographies comes the very serious, cool performance from Estonian Dance Agency and choreographer Igor Lider, “The Change.” We open with the outside being brought in as the dancers circle round the stage on skateboards in the understated low lighting. It’s hypnotic, until something shifts: a unifying spark across the technically attuned bodies as they suddenly move in unison. There is a lot of conceptual, loosely choreographed dance at the fringe, so it’s a pleasure seeing the dancers neatly and innovatively moving together as one. The light design from Elerin Tönne adds variation to the movement, through slicing lasers or bright colours that break up the dim state. As the performance develops, I start to itch for something that breaks this perfect state—and I get it. We are invited to join the dancers on stage, a fun relief after an intense performance (and something that no doubt could be enjoyable for other performances, too.)