Style 4 Free
An improvisation inspired by hip hop and jazz, danced like a slapstick puppet creating disjointed text over muffled beats. With sampling from kung fu movies, cartoons and The Olympics, nothing is sacred. Each improvisation will hail a new story and new free style.
Statement:
“This piece came into existence when I received a call from Brenda Edwards saying she was producing a black show case called “Hip” where *Namron was to be celebrated for all the years he had given to dance.
Style 4 Free is really freestyle, based on skills, imagination and a quick eye for a joke. When I perform this piece I open my mind and allow myself to be truly free in the space. I use the energy of the audience to guide me in which direction they want to go. I become a human sampler. Film, TV, Cartoons, anything that comes to mind. This is me, Benji Reid in stand up mode.”
*Namron was the first black male to work with London Contemporary Dance Theatre. He wowed audiences all over the world and was the inspiration to many young, up and coming performers. For a man built like Hercules he moved with such grace and elegance. I was lucky enough to be taught by him for the three years at NSCD. He was like my dad, sometimes I would call him that.
