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About
Background and History
Benji Reid is a creative producer, devisor and director. Benji’s dance background includes; 1985 GLC Break-Dance Champions with Broken Glass Street Crew, UK Popping Champion, European Popping Champion and 2nd in the 1986 World Dance Championships. In 1989 Benji worked with the legendary Soul II Soul as the main dancer and choreographer for their world tour, appearing on the Arsino Hall show and playing at the Soul Train Awards. He formally trained as a dancer with the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and as an actor with Denise Wong and David Glass. Following his years as a freelance performer he formed physical theatre company Breaking Cycles. In theatre Benji has worked widely with such highly regarded companies as the David Glass Ensemble, Trestle Theatre, Theatr Clwyd and Black Mime Theatre. It was with Black Mime Theatre that Benji first became interested in directing. For over ten years Benji Reid has been creating Hip Hop Theatre. His first production was co-directing Jonzi D's solo of 'Aeroplane Man' in 1996 and in the same year he toured 'Paper Jackets', a one-man show he wrote and starred in. In 1998 Benji went on to direct his first main stage play, hip hop musical 'Avalanche' for Nottingham Playhouse - this became the foundation for Breaking Cycles the company. In 2000 Benji curated ‘The Illness’, a night of hip-hop dance theatre in Sadler’s Wells, London. Benji hosted and performed ‘The Holiday’ supported by Jim Parris and DJ Bizness on the decks. Other performers on the night included Robert Hilton and Jonzi D and Abstract Dance (consisting of Mo Ideas and Frank Wilson). In 2005 Benji received the NESTA Dreamtime Fellowship, awarded to prestigious artists for their outstanding achievements and continuing development and was also nominated for the Art05 award for his work in the North West of England.
Solo work:
The Devil has Quentin’s Heart
13Mics
B Like Water
The Pugilist
The Holiday
Style 4 Free
Paper Jackets
15 Seconds of Fame
Crowded Stomach
Collaborative commissions:
Directing Othello he Opera, for the Yo! Opera Festival/Likeminds, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Directing Crystal Kisses at Contact, Manchester
Directing ‘Mzobane’ by the South African Pantsula dance group Via Volcano as part of the Afrovibes festival 2010. Choreography by William Mbambo.
Dramaturge for Marcus Hercules ‘Different Perspectives’
Dramaturge for Nzi Dada
Co-director of Hip Hop Commedia, a play with Michael Field at the New York Theatre Workshop for Playback Theater
Hip Hop musical ‘Avalanche’ for Nottingham Playhouse
Co-directing Jonzi D's solo of 'Aeroplane Man'
Devising and directing ‘Life Of A B-Boy’ for Spearfish and Funkstylerz UK
Co-director and choreographer of hip-hop musical ‘Slamdunk’ with Felix Cross, Artistic Director of NITRO
Director of Leo Kay’s ‘Mr Sole Abode’
Director of Charlie Dark’s ‘Have Box Will Travel’
Choreographer of Dansopolis for Yorkshire Dance
Choreographer of ‘Seven’, a hip hop adaptation of the Greek classic ‘Seven Against Thebes’, directed by Steven Sapp, written by Will Power, with the University of Iowa
Lead actor and Movement Director inRagamuffin, on national tour.
Created Peaches for ACE Dance’s 2002 national tour.
Co-devised and directed Conversing With Angels for Qasim Riza Shahee.
Movement Director for Storm, a play by Lemn Sissay at Contact Theatre, Manchester.
Quotes:
“You’re never bored that you’ve only got Benji Reid for company because he has an exuberant variety of skills to keep you entertained” Time Out, London
“Truly multi talented artist” The Voice
“Visually, Benji Reid is one of the most stunning theatre artists on the scene today- the way he uses his body, voice and spirit to tell a story is truly a sight to see" Will Power, USA
“This is a poet trapped inside the body of a dancer. It’s a killer combination” Daily Telegraph, Australia
“Reid is a performance artist, stand up tragedian and body popping comic” The Voice
“The star of the evening is Benji Reid” The British Theatre Guide
“A multi-sensory performance that leaves you hypnotised” Manchester Evening News on The Devil has Quentin’s Heart
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Breaking Cycles
Breaking Cycles
Breaking Cycles is dedicated to creating excellent, engaging theatre and to helping others do likewise. Their aim is to speak to a wide range of audiences through their performances and to provide guidance and support to young artists through teaching, mentoring and work experience. Breaking Cycles is an artist led company dedicated to the creation and production of inclusive, highly energised, emotionally conflicting physical theatre - crossing and challenging the boundaries of multi disciplined art forms, layering contemporary vision with classical inspiration. Breaking Cycles is a national and international advocate for Hip Hop Theatre, playing a key role in its development as an art form, challenging, engaging and creating new audiences for theatre. Breaking Cycles has created a number of productions, which have sold out to audiences across the UK touring circuit and Internationally. The shows that the company has produced include:
- The Waiting Room, a trilogy including ThePugilist, Holiday and Crowded Stomach, toured UK and Internationally in 2000. The Pugilist was later reworked and presented at the 2002 British Dance Edition showcase.
- In the same year Style 4 Free was created for the Hip Festival. The Pugilist, Holiday and Style 4 free then went on a sell out tour of Brazil, New Zealand, Sydney Opera House, and the Royal Opera House, London.
- B Like Water, a co-production with Contact Theatre, co-directed by John McGrath and written by Lemn Sissay and 13 Mics co-directed by Jonzi D were created in 2003.
- 13 Mics showcased at Decibel Xtrax before touring nationally and internationally including a three-week London run at the Lyric Hammersmith and playing to a sell out audience of 1800 on the main stage at Sadler’s Wells as part of Breaking Convention Hip Hop Festival 2004.
Breaking Cycles latest production is The Devil has Quentin’s Heart. The show premiered at Contact Theatre in November 2009 and toured the UK before appearing at the Breaking Walls Festival in Amsterdam in Spring 2010.
Process
Breaking Cycles produce a biennial hip-hop theatre workshop festival called Process, which began in Manchester in 2006. Process is an intensive theatre laboratory offering young artists a rare opportunity to work with world-renowned performers and theatre experts. Since the first workshop in 2006 Process has become an essential step in the development of hot new performers. Process is ideal for experienced young artists or performing arts graduates. The aim of Process is to discover new approaches to storytelling and learn how to combine individual’s talents with those of others to create cutting edge physical theatre.
More info: http://www.breakingcycles.co.uk
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Status
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Tweets
- I am my own product http://t.co/r6UjRTgtJan 11, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @rajae hello Mis Mouhandiz. i hope you like my new http://t.co/KP6UPPBa site. had a friend put in a lot of work to make it something.Jan 10, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- http://t.co/ohnyRe25 coming soon.Jan 10, 12 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @benjireid be the best you can be... dream it live it be it.
- @rajae i will keep that in mind. from now on i will endeavor to go on long rides and use my bell.... thank RajaeNov 27, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @rajae thank you for your advice.. i must get me one of them tingtingting bells. its so great learning how to ride in amsterdam.Nov 27, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @rajae am not feeling the traffic. i just need a hand crossing the road.Nov 27, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- @rajae am following you cause i don't know my way round here.Nov 27, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- directing othello was a amazing experience .....Nov 26, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Check this video out -- Ivor Cutler http://t.co/j8WKixlN via @youtube
- am i serious about weight loss, hell no.Oct 19, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- stop following me am going to the toilet.....Oct 19, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Check this video out -- Terry Callier Lazarus Man from Timepeace http://t.co/zuvIKQxa via @youtube
- Video: They Beat The Sh*t Out Of Each Other: Zambidis vs. Chahid (One Of The Best K-1 Fights) http://t.co/NLuU2L83 via @worldstar
- Check this video out -- Flying Lotus - 1983 RARE http://t.co/I2y1bkPi via @youtube
- am as lost as you are so stop following me..Oct 01, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- which is hardest selling crack or being a artist?Jul 15, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- Can insomnia kill you...Jun 29, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- thanks to all the people who attended the showing of our new show at BAC. And keep the faith in art we trust.Jun 20, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
- work is something you don't like doing to earn money. so i have never worked a day in my life. well only on a few occasionsMay 09, 11 from web Reply, Retweet, Favorite
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Wall
- www.benjireid.com built by Rajae El Mouhandiz
- Remember when you were in school and they used to let you bring your games in for the last day or two before the holidays. Well here at Breaking Cycles we're about to break up for Xmas and we thought we'd share a little bit of fun with you courtesy of Mr Reid... Merry Xmas and all the best for 2012!
- ...but if you can't make it to that then why not check out production he's directing with our good friends Likeminds and YO! Opera.
- And here's a big shout out to all of our Dutch fans as well - Benji's over in Amsterdam just now and he's going to be doing a public masterclass at Rozentheater on the 19th. Hope you can make it...
- WOO HOO - we've just gone and hit the legendary '500 followers mark'. A big welcome to everyone who's been signing up over the last couple of months.
- Good to see Crystal Kisses makes an appearance in Lyn Gardner's weekly recommendations. It's on this week and next at Contact - so don't let it pass you by...
- Those of you who were at Process 2010 in Manchester might remember Maxwell Golden presenting some work in progress on the Saturday night. Well the finished product is going to be on tour in November and Contact have put this together as a little taster - you seriously need to check it out!
- The new trailer for Crystal Kisses is out - just a couple of weeks until it opens @contactmcr
- And if you're in Amsterdam keep your eyes out for Mr Reid - he's over at MC working with Alida Dors on this...
- Day 1 of Decibel and it's been great speaking to @deborahbaddoo @mac_birmingham and @NickMakoha Roll on Wednesday! #Decibel11
- Had a great day pitching ideas at XTRAX Shorts in Kendal yesterday - B pulled off a great presentation, so (fingers crossed) we might have some new projects on the cards for next year. Big thanks to all the XTRAX team for their support!
- It's no rest for the wicked this week. Now that we're back from a mind-blowing (but exhausting) week at the Edinburgh Festival it's straight into rehearsals for Benji. Crystal Kisses sold our last time round, so if you missed it before then you should get on the blower to Contact and get it booked NOW...
- If you ♥ Manchester then you should try and make it along to Platform 4 this weekend. Well worth checking out 'As the World Tipped' and Bad Taste Cru...
- Just getting ready for a big trip up to Edinburgh next week to catch the festival. We'll be in town from Monday the 22nd to Saturday the 27th - if you'd like to hook up then just let us know!
- This is the Facebook page for the Southbank's 'Intelligent Movement' festival that Benji will be talking at on the 16th of July. Spread the word!
- We're delighted to announce that Benji will be appearing at the Southbank Centre on the 16th of July as part of the 'Intelligent Movement' festival. He'll be talking about what Hip-Hop means to him and how it's shaped his life and career. The full line up for the four days includes The Electric Boogaloos and Breaking Cycles favourites Charlie Dark and Inua Ellams. Hope to see you there!
- Thank to all the people who turned out to the Scratch performance of Wheelman @ the BAC We received some very useful information on how to proceed. Very exciting times loving this new show. In art we trust.
- Things booked up pretty quickly for this week's Scratch showings at BAC. We're glad to say that we've managed to release more tickets though, so book fast if you'd like to come along...
- It's a scorching afternoon in Manchester - feels like a great day to let everyone know that we're going to be doing a couple of Scratch performances at Battersea Arts Centre in London on the 16th & 17th of June! Tickets available from: 020 7223 2223
- traveling out the the States,, any suggestions for venues, festivals or artist i should visit, no time set as yet,
- Can anyone recommend any Serviced Apartment / Short Term Let accommodation around Battersea way??
- We're pleased to announce that Benji has just been appointed as the first ambassador for Arts Award! To see the news story and read an interview with Benji just follow the link. If you'd like to find out more about Arts Award and how you can be involved visit: www.artsaward.org.uk
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Process 2010, Birmingham
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