Deepest Red

Benji Reid & Process08

It seems that Hip-Hop theatre is all the rage at the moment. From ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent to West End theatre, hip-hop dancers can showcase their talents. Talents that many in the audience would have turned their noses up at not that long ago. Hip-Hop theatre is growing in popularity and more and more young people want to develop their skills.

Timely then that hip-hop theatre pioneer Benji Reid has pulled together some of hip hop’s key innovators for Process08 a ground-breaking festival of courses, master-classes, films and special events. Taking place in August in Manchester the festival will give b-boys, b-girls, hip hop heads and young artists generally the chance to work with some of the worlds most creative hip- hop theatre masters.

Masters like Britain’s Ty, France’s Walid, plus US maestros Will Power and Baba Israel. Even the inspirational duo Kwik Step & Rockafella have agreed to take part. I managed to catch up with Benji – quite possibly one of the hardest working artists out there, to talk about the festival.

A two-week hip-hop festival sound like a lot of work– why would someone so busy take this on?

It’s actually a biennial festival. Breaking Cycles, my physical theatre company organised the first in 2006. I see it as very much a case of me giving back. I am a performer and find the feeding back process very important. I get so inspired by the amazing artistry I see on my travels around the world. I want to share that.

But why a two-week festival?

I remember once I was asked to create a piece of work in two weeks. Two weeks is not long enough to produce a good piece of work! But creating work is a process and in two weeks I think you can start that process. It’s kind of like preparing the ground before putting the seeds in.

You’ve got an amazing line-up, including Kwikstep & Rockafella.

We’re very excited about that. Kwikstep & Rockafella are legendary. They are like the quintessential b-boy/girl duo. Kwik got amazing versatility and inventive choreography – and then there are the legendary head-spins. And Rok has such superbly crafted technique and teaching skills.

Who do you hope to reach through the Festival?

People from across the UK. Young dancers, performers, b-boys and girls…anyone interested in hip hop theatre. We want to equip people with the tools to take their work further.

Hip Hop theatre has moved on so quickly over the last few years. In fact it’s pretty much mainstream now. How do you feel about that?

As one of the original pioneers of hip hop theatre in the UK I can only say it’s great. People have looked at what people like me and Jonzi D were doing and have built on it. People have taken our lead. There is a lot of high (and low) quality work out there. Events like Process08 will help develop quality work.

As a veteran of the scene what advice would you give to someone wanting to learn more and carve out a career in hip hop?

Find out what is going on locally and get involved. Mix with like-minded people who share your dreams and ambitions. Most of all never take no for an answer. I never did even though I faced so many obstacles. But then I was very thick-skinned and I knew I was talented. But I would say to people get out of your bedroom and just do it.

You always seem so busy, what else are you doing at the moment?

I am a director/performer/producer. There are a lot of slashes to what I do. But I need to be all those things. I need the outside eye that it allows me. I need to be an all-rounder to live my dream. I am exhausted though!

Do you think that hip hop theatre can influence those involved in knife and gun crime?

The people carrying g the knives and guns are not theatre goers. But theatre can be a great way of educating and commenting. Theatre can raise a different sort of awareness. And it can chronicle what is happening in our communities in a very different way.
Process08 4^th – 16^th August 2008

For info visit: Visit: www.breakingcycles.co.uk

To Book:Email: applications@breakingcycles.co.uk

Tel: 0161 237 1655

posted by Andrea Enisuoh @ 8:53 AM