20 Stories High and Theatre-Rites join forces to create a unique mash up of hip-hop, theatre and puppetry, bringing together four acclaimed artists: beat-boxer Hobbit, b-boy Ryan LoGisTic Harston, singer/poet Elektric and puppeteer Mohsen Nouri to form The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective.
The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective takes the form of a live gig. Gritty, moving and funny, it combines gripping tales, transfixing poetry, hip-hop, and is animated with imaginative puppetry, to explore the hardships faced by young people in the U.K. in the 21st century and is touring from the 4th February to the 2nd April with the Unity Theatre the opening setting for this huge collaboration from the 4th to the 13th February.
Sue Buckmaster (Artistic Director, Theatre-Rites) and Keith Saha (co-Artistic Director, 20 Stories High) said, ‘These four stunning artists have come together with us to hear first-hand what young people in our communities face, from feeling invisible to feeling pressured, from harming themselves to the harm inflicted on them by others. Theatre-Rites and 20 Stories High are committed to telling these stories in an exciting, relevant way and, as well as opening up a dialogue about their concerns, we hope that the evening is ultimately filled with hope and energy.’
Renowned as one of the U.K.’s leading children’s theatre companies, Theatre-Rites brings its cross-artform expertise to a show for an older age group for the first time, in collaboration with 20 Stories High, celebrated for its excellent work with and for young adults, which marks its tenth birthday during 2016. The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective tour includes post-show jams, workshops and events across the country.
Founded in 2006, 20 Stories High has established itself as one of the leading young people’s theatre companies nationally, and has won a series of prestigious awards and commissions. 20 Stories High tours to theatre venues and community spaces and runs a range of participatory projects. It is part of the Arts Council’s National Portfolio of funded organisations, and a registered charity. 20 Stories High makes theatre with young people from excluded communities, emerging & world-class artists to tell stories that are…
contemporary, youthful, authentic, melodic, gritty, poetic, rebellious, cheeky, original, visual, challenging, tender,anarchic, diverse, eclectic, bass-heavy, political, funny, collaborative and heart-felt.
The company believes everybody’s got a story to tell and their own way of telling it.
The artists involved are:
Elektric (Elisha Howe) is a 24 year old artist from the Midlands. Her music fuses R&B, indie and hip-hop, telling stories through a British melodic rap style. Elektric describes her music as therapy. TNF mag described Elektric as one of U.K.’s top unconventional female creatives. Leaving her crowd singing her songs, Elektric delights audiences around the U.K., performing at venues such as 02 Academies and Pride U.K.. 2015 saw her stepping out into Europe, researching cultures and telling stories through music in Bosnia, collaborating on original ideas which challenge mindfulness and technology in Morocco, and representing the U.K. at New Skool Rules international music conference in Rotterdam. Elektric’s future is looking extremely bright with several exciting projects to come in 2016.
Ryan LoGisTic Harston Dancer
Starting in contemporary, modern and jazz, LoGistTcs changed course in 2002 when he went to work with one of the most established Break Dance crews in the U.K., winning tournaments in the U.K., France and Germany. Known for his untouchable style and flair, he has received numerous awards and has travelled around the world working with well-known artists such as Kelis, Mario, Jonzi D and Ken Swift, and has also showcased his works at Dance London, Breakin Convention and Apollo Theatre London. Logistics has recently worked with New York based choreographers Kwikstep and Rokafella, on breakin’ and hip hop theatre, and recently arrived back from working in New York City on an off-Broadway show.
Hobbit Sonic Artist / Beat boxer
Hobbit (Jack Hobbs) has been a household name in the beatbox scene for the past 10 years. Live acts around the world and 1st place titles in major competitions have assured Hobbit’s credibility as an artist. Raised in a musical family, Hobbit’s confidence and skill as a performer has won him numerous titles such as 2015 World Crew Champion and U.K. Loopstation Champion. Hobbit has also been involved in a lot of exciting projects such as theatre shows Ghost Boy and Melody Loses Her Mojo as well as multiple festival, stages and venues across the world.
Mohsen Nouri Puppeteer
Mohsen trained as a puppeteer at the Central School of Speech and Drama and has a long established working relationship with Theatre-Rites. Previous work for Theatre-Rites includes: In One Ear, Paradise, Mischief, Mojo, Bank On It and Rubbish. Other credits include: Romeo & Juliet, King Arthur and the Quest of the Grail, The Secret Garden, Karagoz (Little Angel Theatre), Doctor Dolittle (David Ian Productions), The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Disney),Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play (Polka Theatre). Mohsen also appeared in the internationally acclaimed Peter Pan(360° Entertainment), In the Night Garden (B.B.C.), as a blue alien for Argos (CHI&Partners), in Muppets Most Wanted (Disney), Travelodge Travelogical stills campaign (James Day Photography) and his work can be seen in Joe Wright’s Pan (Warner Bros. Pictures).
Tickets for this event can be purchased from the Unity Theatre Box office, online at www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk or by telephone on 0151 7094988.