Breaking Cycles has developed a broad artistic team within which the company’s work is created in close collaboration.  Together the team are committed to the development of Physical Theatre, combining movement, music and the language of body popping with the theatricality of text and movement theatre.

Steve Ojay – Musical Director and Bass Player‘I just taught myself, played along to my favourite tunes then got into getting my own style.  I played with an old blues head, Victor Brox, on and off learning the ropes for about three years (we occasionally still do the <very> odd gig).  Then I got into the jamming/improvisation scene where the learning and the teaching still continue.   All this is sprinkled with tours and the odd record deal but the roots are always there’.Steve is an experienced musician, performing and touring with bands that include K:klass. He has wrote, played and toured with The Dust Junkys and for the last two years he has played monthly live poetry and jam nights held at the Green Room in Manchester with Speakeasy.  He ran ‘sample-this’, a sample and improvised Jam session at The Roadhouse Manchester for three years and can still be found Jamming at Po Na Na, Dancehouse and other venues around Manchester ‘keeping the vibe live’. Steve recently performed at Glastonbury with dance/rap band Freeworld.  He teaches bass and is also producing for as yet an unnamed band in Manchester.

 
Andrew Wong aka Masta Wong - DJAndrew became involved with music and DJ’ing in 1991.  Hip Hop was the music that attracted him to the art.  In 1993 he started buying Drum’n’Bass (or Jungle as it was known back then!).  From originally playing Hip Hop, he slowly built up a reputation for being a Jungle DJ (who would scratch in his Jungle sets), by getting booked to play at many of the pirate radio stations in Manchester (including Love energy and Frontline) and most of the local clubs.  As the years went by Andrew started investing in studio equipment so he could produce his own material and in 1997, he became involved in studio work.  This studio was the main base for 3 local acts, The Dust Junkys being the most successful out of the 3.  He has produced for Hip Hop Crew Compound and produced songs for R’n’B act Parrish.  In 1999, Andrew hooked up with 2 musicians to start off a fortnightly Jam night with a difference at the Roadhouse in Manchester.  The night was called Sample This and the 2 musicians were Steve Ojay and Myke Wilson.  The difference was having a pair of turntables as part of the house band.  The experience of playing with musicians was a new one and the whole jam night experience was a great learning period for Andrew.  Already an experienced DJ, Sample This taught him how to use the decks musically and to work with musicians. Sample This boosted Andrew’s reputation as a scratch DJ who could also work well with musicians.  This opened doors to do a lot of other local projects including being Musical Director for a production at The Contact Theatre.During this period Andrew collaborated with Ganiyu Gasper (ex Dust Junky DJ) to write and produce songs.  Andrew and Ganiyu were asked to produce music for a Channel 4 programme called Paul Zenon’s Turning Tricks Magic Show.  As well as Djing, Andrew is regularly requested to put his scratching skills on various projects.  At this present time Andrew is a lecturer at the “Technics DJ Academy” in Manchester.  

Mikey P - Drums“I started playing when I was 7, turning professional at seventeen. I grew up musically in a blues/jazz setting being mentored by a reclusive guitar master. I've always found music amazing, the ability to communicate through a non-spoken language coupled with the almost sixth sense of intense conversation on stage really does it for me. I just hope I'll remain blessed with the opportunity to play meaningful music indefinitely. For me it's the best job in the world.

 

Myke Wilson - Drums Myke Wilson is a self-taught drummer and percussionist.  He took up the instrument at the age of eighteen through the passion he felt by being inspired by great legends; Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd and Art Blakey. To name a few, Myke has worked with the Dust Junkies, Swing Out Sister, Lamb, 808state and Texas.Myke has been working with Benji since 2002 and is a big fan of his work.  He believes Hip Hop Theatre is positive for the arts by creating access and encouraging younger people and ethnic minorities into the theatre. Through his performance work Myke wants to be a role model and give people the self-belief that they can achieve if they want to.

Simon Moore – DrumsSimon Moore is an experienced drummer having worked with artists including, The Christians, OMD, Ginuwine, Ian Brown, Joyceln Brown, Tom Brown, Maxi Priest, Mica Paris, Omar, Rowetta, Back Yard Dog, Gwen Dickie and Shaznay Lewis.

Chris Whitwood   - Technical ManagerChris works as a Manchester based lighting designer and production manager, regularly working with companies such as Lip Service, Psappha and Peshkar Productions in a wide range of theatrical performances.  He frequently works for Manchester's Contact Theatre and most recently production managed the show What's In The Cat being which toured to London's Royal Court.  Chris has worked with Benji since 1994 touring a variety of venues worldwide.

Dave Skelton – Sound Engineer‘I started fresh out of college at 18years old working at the Cutting Rooms recording studio in Manchester.  After 18 months of being a studio engineer I decided it wasn't for me.  I'd always had an interest in live sound ever since I joined my first band at 14years old so it seemed like a natural progression.  Working in a number of live music venues in central Manchester I worked my way up the ladder, soon becoming head engineer at the Late Room.  I'm now working for a variety of large PA companies that has enabled me to work with artists such as Keith Flint (Prodigy), Big Brovaz, Supergrass, Little Richard and James Brown.It was 2004 when I first met Benji Reid.  I received a phone call from the technical manager at Contact Theatre, who was trying to find a sound engineer to cover a UK tour of 13 Mics and B like Water.  My name was put forward, and although there was some concern from certain technical staff at Contact due to my lack of experience in 'Theatre' I got the job.  Breaking Cycles work is theatre based, but is far removed from "sit down and listen theatre".  For me it’s about having a live band and energetic performers on stage and making sure that the energy on the stage reaches every single person in the venue.’