Verse & Verses at the South Bank
Critically acclaimed dancer/choreographer Robert Hylton together with his company Urban Classicism returns to the South Bank this May presenting Verse & Verses for five consecutive nights.
Visually arresting production takes Hip Hop to its outer limits fusing contemporary dance with Robert’s unique vision collaborating on soundscapes with award-winning DJ/producer Billy Biznizz and guest choreographer Pervez (Live To Break)
Verse & Verses is a characteristically psychedelic take on the Hip Hop genre with leading design team AllofUS providing their signature backdrops. Atmospherically charged, the concept veers towards the cinematic as a DJ opens the show, selecting his latest hot tune. As the proverbial needle hits the groove the audience gets set for a unique experience as unbeknown to them, this is vinyl literally about to explode into life.
An extravaganza of movement, sound and vision, human forms weave between abstract grooves – actually moving within sound, sometimes suspended between new tracks. As a soundtrack forms via a diversity of styles, vinyl rotates into an aural twister reminiscent of Wizard of Oz’s classic hurricane. Thrown into alternative zones, the dancers spiritually morph into musical notes in a quest for their ultimate style and perfection. Hip Hop’s true message: ‘Prophet’ though, is manipulated into disarray via its commercialised fate: ‘Profit’. Our adventurers journey into a parallel world, surviving amongst these polar extremes and ultimately triumphing as with a satirical edge, they maintain discipline & compassion in the inevitable face of corporate culture.
Hylton’s 2004 success, Physical Elements sold out and toured internationally generating demand for more of this Hip Hop maverick’s work. Providing essential sounds, turntable champion DJ Biznizz continues to create original beats Djing live on stage and now dancing as part of the company. A Hip Hop original, Biznizz has previously worked with Ty, Courtney Pine and the legendary London Posse (Featuring Rodney P) as well as DJ Pogo and Cutmaster Swift, collectively known as the award-winning En4cers.
Initially a street dancer raised in the north-east, Robert Hylton embraced both Hip Hop culture and Jazz developing his own visual language with true originality. As part of Jazz collective Bamboozle based at Newcastle’s Dance City, Robert performed at Dance Umbrella 1990 amongst other festivals later studying at Northern School Of Contemporary Dance.
Ever since, he’s taught and performed internationally continuing to command the respect of both traditional dance audiences as well as the authentic Hip Hop fraternity. In 2002 Hylton was a nominee for the prestigious Jerwood Choreography Award, and won the 2002 Capture Award for dance on film, earning the highly coveted position of associate artist at London’s The Place Theatre; RHUC is now a Regularly Funded Organisation of Arts Council England.
RHUC is also Rose Chu, Jake Nwogu, Theophilous Alade and Paula Vacarey who alongside old-school virtuoso breaker Billy Biznizz complete the picture, adding their individual flavours to this unique and extraordinary piece.
www.urbanclassicism.com
Box Office: 08703 800 400