The Letter: To Be Or To MBE - T1062926492Jonzi D, the UK's best known exponent of Hip Hop theatre, presents his acclaimed solo show The Letter. This true and topical tale of one man's dilemma regarding a proposed MBE honour is told via Jonzi's sharp and often hilarious portrayal of his friends, colleagues and family. Showcasing his signature verbal and physical skills, Jonzi D utilises movement, political observation and humour to explore the concept and prospect of this unexpected accolade. As an authentic East Londoner of Afro-Caribbean descent, his own feelings are as diverse as the various characters he brings to the stage. The MBE letter requires a response and just to complicate matters, everyone has an opinion. From the impressionable, husband-seeking house guest to the East London rhyme-spitting weed dealer, Jonzi is confronted by opposing views and gut reactions. His childhood neighbour thinks one thing, a militant friend uncomfortable with an Empire-related honour another. Should Jonzi be swayed and what does an MBE represent anyway? What will his esteemed supporters in the arts think if he rejects it? More to the point, what will his family say? Whilst his eldest sister might not reside in Buckingham Palace she does after all, reign supreme within Jonzi's family. Colourful & warm yet outspoken and at times subversive, The Letter paints a highly personal picture of the ultimate predicament: To be or to MBE? | |
| 5 Aug 15 to 31 Aug 15 | Assembly, Edinburgh :: V1535815773 listing details L1700404967 |
Lyrikal Fearta: The Letter & Broken Lineage - T085052933Sadler's Wells Associate Artist Jonzi D presents a triple bill, including a return of his acclaimed solo work The Letter, after its explosive debut last year in the Lilian Baylis Studio. In addition, the evening also features a top guest hip hop artist, and Jonzi presents a new work, continuing his three decades as a pioneering creative voice in hip hop dance theatre. The Letter explores the responses to Jonzi being offered an MBE. Using choreopoetry he paints a picture of ?stunning, rhythmical clarity? (The Stage), looking at this sensitive subject matter through the eyes of an animated cast of characters. The Letter is accompanied by a commissioned score played live by member of the Speakers Corner Quartet Kwake Bass. The evening also features a newly commissioned piece, exploring the broken lineage between the old skool and new skool hip hop generations, bringing Jonzi's unique perspective to evolving social issues. An exciting collaboration with Ivan Blackstock, of BirdGang Dance Company, it promises to captivate audiences with Jonzi's trademark wit, humour and style. Running time: 1hr 45mins (including one 20 min interval)Presented bySadlers Wells. | |
| 7 Feb 14 to 8 Feb 14 | The Albany, Outer London :: V294 listing details L634718904 |
| 6 Feb 14 | artsdepot, Outer London :: V320 listing details L568964731 |
| 23 Nov 13 | Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal :: V6 listing details L1186159419 |
| 18 Nov 13 | Brighton Dome, Brighton :: V655 listing details L107001747 |
| 14 Nov 13 | Whitley Bay Playhouse, Whitley Bay :: V580 listing details L01266257482 |
| 12 Nov 13 to 13 Nov 13 | Leeds Playhouse (formerly West Yorkshire Playhouse), Leeds :: V977 listing details L561422515 |
| 16 Oct 13 to 19 Oct 13 | The Lilian Baylis Theatre, Inner London :: V236 listing details L01376640990 |
Lyrikal Fearta: The Letter & Broken Lineage - T519231190Lyrikal Fearta is a three part piece, each of which is underpinned by hip-hop but is universal and enthused enough to be interpreted and enjoyed completely by not just fans of the culture but anyone. The show's introduction is handled by local artists Innuendo, Nicky Trad, and 2K - perfectly opening up the stage for a piece, featuring Ivan Blackstock, discussing the generational division within the hip-hop community facilitated by the juggernaut-like acceleration to dominance of rap music throughout the western world. Jonzi's acclaimed solo The Letter closes the show with Jonzi visualizing his response to being offered an MBE, using choreopoetry to examine a wide variation of responses and points of view as Jonzi struggles to decide upon an appropriate answer.Music Kwake Bass. Musical Director Kwake Bass. | |
| 31 Jan 14 to 1 Feb 14 | General, Liverpool :: V1184 listing details L2030732361 |
| 30 Jan 14 | Contact Theatre, Manchester :: V483 listing details L01975594160 |
| 28 Jan 14 | Sherman Theatre, Cardiff :: V824 listing details L1208999725 |
Lyrikal Fearta - Redux. Programme B - T164364654For many years Jonzi D has been known as the face leading the hip hop revolution that is Breakin' Convention. Jonzi is now launching out on his own again, returning to the stage after ten years as a creator of sharp, relevant and poetic dance theatre with two programmes of works made up of past hits and new creations. Programme B will include specially commissioned new work, representing Jonzi's ?choreopoetic' response to his world today. | |
| 25 Oct 12 to 27 Oct 12 | The Lilian Baylis Theatre, Inner London :: V236 listing details L01516122047 |
Lyrikal Fearta - Redux. Programme A - T0519304037For many years Jonzi D has been known as the face leading the hip hop revolution that is Breakin' Convention. Jonzi is now launching out on his own again, returning to the stage after ten years as a creator of sharp, relevant and poetic dance theatre with two programmes of works made up of past hits and new creations. Programme A features vintage Jonzi; Guilty, Shoota, Safe, Aeroplane Man and Silence the Bitchin'. | |
| 18 Oct 12 to 20 Oct 12 | The Lilian Baylis Theatre, Inner London :: V236 listing details L01695438526 |
TAG...just writing my name - T01919563298An original piece of Hip Hop theatre using break dance, body popping, rap-poetry, larger-than-life graffiti sculptures and video animation, TAG tells the story of a young obsessive graffiti writer in search of acceptance. | |
| 10 Jun 08 to 14 Jun 08 | Leeds Playhouse (formerly West Yorkshire Playhouse), Leeds :: V977 listing details L408292742 |
| 5 Jun 08 to 7 Jun 08 | NST Campus, Southampton :: V776 listing details L0698847187 |
| 19 Oct 07 to 20 Oct 07 | Lighthouse (previously known as Poole Arts Centre), Poole :: V910 listing details L1417605233 |
and Battle in the Box - T01900841173 | |
| 6 Apr 08 | The Drum, Birmingham :: V397448197 listing details L1053124626 |
TAG...Me vs. The City - T01157285040The UK's leading hip hop theatre company returns to the Peacock with its sell-out show TAG...Me vs. The City. Fusing all the elements of hip hop culture, TAG offers a window into the world of a brilliant but obsessive graffiti writer exorcising his demons in the only way he knows how. With a new cast of six dancers taking the concept of ?physical calligraphy' - using the body as paint - the production, directed by [Jonzi D], features awesome video animation from Ben Wachenje, music by the legendary DJ Pogo, a life-size graffiti set courtesy of The Collaborators, lighting by [Jonathan Samuels] and costumes by [Shirley Williams].Choreographer Jonzi D. Choreographer Ivan Blackstock (additional choreography). Design Ben Wachenje (video animation). Sound DJ Pogo. Design Sculptural Graffiti. Lighting Jonathan Samuels. Costume Shirley Williams. | |
| 9 Oct 07 | Sheffield Theatres, Sheffield :: V962 listing details L0841215206 |
| 2 May 07 to 4 May 07 | Peacock Theatre, West End :: V222 listing details L0203443989 |
| 25 Apr 07 to 28 Apr 07 | Leeds Playhouse (formerly West Yorkshire Playhouse), Leeds :: V977 listing details L01581620517 |
| 27 Mar 07 to 28 Mar 07 | Gardner Arts Centre, Brighton :: V653 listing details L525335699 |
| 18 Mar 07 | Arts Theatre, Cambridge :: V19 listing details L1748771874 |
| 14 Mar 07 | Gala Theatre, Durham :: V0146218420 listing details L01838734878 |
| 2 Mar 07 to 3 Mar 07 | artsdepot, Outer London :: V320 listing details L01267483814 |
Ivan - A preview of new work/Aeroplane Man/Spoti - T65142646Poet, MC, director and Hip Hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D returns to the stage in a dynamic intimate new production. Ivan is based on the very real experiences of him and his partner Jane surviving Hurricane Ivan. Performed by Jonzi D and Jane Sekonya, the show combines his choreo-poetry style with dance and film. There will also be the chance to see the cult dance piece ‘Aeroplane Man’. Co-commissioned by Arnolfini and Hydroponic.Choreographer Jonzi D. Choreographer Jane Sekonya. Director Amani Naphtali. Music Jason Yarde. Choreographer Jonzi D (Aeroplane Man). Choreographer Jane Sekonya (Spoti). | |
| 28 Oct 06 | Jacksons Lane, Outer London :: V312 listing details L081859268 |
| 27 Oct 06 | Arnolfini, Bristol :: V863 listing details L1054915784 |
| 25 Oct 06 | The Albany, Outer London :: V294 listing details L0888188055 |
TAG...Me vs. The City - T02027711251TAG...Me vs. The City is a groundbreaking new Hip Hop dance theatre production choreographed and directed by the inimitable Jonzi D. Curator and host of Sadler's Wells' annual festival Breakin' Convention, pioneering artist Jonzi D is one of the most recognised faces of Hip Hop theatre, having already toured worldwide with Lyrikal Fearta and Aeroplane Man. This is his first work since Jonzi D Productions became an Associate Company of Sadler's Wells last May. The story follows the life of a brilliant but obsessive graffiti writer desperate to challenge authority in the only way he knows how: with his spray can. Working with a company of six dancers TAG explores the concept of 'physical calligraphy' - using the body as paint. The result is a show which seamlessly fuses break-dancing, body popping, emceeing, turntablism and graffiti art with pure dance theatre. For TAG, Jonzi has brought together an awesome group of collaborators. The show features some of the UK's finest Hip Hop dancers, an original soundscore by DJ Pogo (The En4cers, Block Party Breaks), state of the art video animation by Ben Wachenje (the7Samurai) and set design by infamous graffiti writer PRIME and Sculptural Graffiti. | |
| 18 Mar 06 | Peepul Centre, Leicester :: V0971366092 listing details L446674893 |
| 2 Mar 06 to 4 Mar 06 | Peacock Theatre, West End :: V222 listing details L01864562660 |
| 24 Feb 06 to 25 Feb 06 | New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich :: V81 listing details L2100761761 |
| 17 Feb 06 to 18 Feb 06 | Contact Theatre, Manchester :: V483 listing details L01363564614 |
TAG - Me Versus the City - T02015328895A fusion of hip hop dance and theatre, TAG follows the life of a brilliant but obsessive graffiti writer desperate t challenge authority in the only way he knows how. This groundbreaking new show explores the physicality of graffiti art through a collage of break-dancing, body-popping and onstage video animation.Director Jonzi D. Choreographer Jonzi D. | |
| 31 Jan 06 to 4 Feb 06 | Playhouse, Nottingham :: V457 listing details L0685798528 |
The Surgery - T1763152254Hosted by the inimitable Jonzi D with music by the legendary DJ Pogo, The Surgery is London's newest night for Hip Hop theatre performance, music and jamming with hip hop artists and fans. | |
| 28 Oct 05 | The Lilian Baylis Theatre, Inner London :: V236 listing details L12111568 |
Live Beats - T0985231634An evening that showcases live musicians playing in tandem with DJs Bizznizz and Sparkii +five dance soloists all improvising to the remixes. | |
| 24 Nov 04 | The Place Theatre, Inner London :: V240 listing details L1003520961 |
Aeroplane Man - T02123540901Producer UK Arts International. | |
| 29 Apr 03 to 1 May 03 | Home Theatre, Manchester :: V1858052535 listing details L145480587 |
Aeroplane Man - T1237908608Jonzi D, alongside an eclectic ensemble of emcees, dancers and musicians, present the full length version of his critically acclaimed solo, Aeroplane Man, as featured in 'Lyrikal Fearta'. The true story of a black man's journey from East London on a global quest to find his spiritual homeland. With a unique fusion of rhyme, lyrically motivated movement, classical and modern black dance forms, plus live breakbeats we take flight on Still Brock Airways tour of the urban African diasopora. Please fasten your seatbelts, we'll be experiencing some edutainment 30,000 feet above see-level!Choreographer Jonzi D. Director Benji Reid. Music Jason Yarde. Design Belinda Ackermann. | |
| 18 May 02 | Theatre Royal Stratford East, Outer London :: V337 listing details L1256751374 |
| 29 May 01 to 30 May 01 | Southbank Centre, West End :: V423 listing details L01239888285 |
| 27 May 01 | Derby Theatre, Derby :: V1830193620 listing details L531485161 |
| 18 May 01 to 19 May 01 | Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne :: V568 listing details L1358484151 |
| 11 May 01 to 12 May 01 | Oxford Playhouse, Oxford :: V803 listing details L01241783492 |
| 20 Apr 01 to 21 Apr 01 | Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield :: V972 listing details L34240564 |
Rewind - T0850841942Young people's show case their talent in a performance inspired by the previous weeks workshops - including DJs, Vjs and everything in between! | |
| 27 Oct 01 | Brewhouse, Burton-on-Trent :: V126 listing details L160551917 |
T0633004824This week-long residency will involve young people from the local community exploring "lyrikally motivated movement", hip-hop, urban poetry, b-boying and whatever else they can put their minds and bodies to! | |
| 26 Oct 01 | Brewhouse, Burton-on-Trent :: V126 listing details L114143760 |
Aeroplane Man - T428103593 | |
| 4 May 01 | Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry :: V156 listing details L02122979512 |
Aeroplane Man - T579664155A Place commission. | |
| 29 Apr 99 to 1 May 99 | The Place Theatre, Inner London :: V240 listing details L0182197329 |
T993420547Choreo PoetryCompany Still Brock Productions Jonzi D. | |
| 27 Nov 98 | Manchester Gorilla (formerly Green Room), Manchester :: V485 listing details L0545691111 |
Other listings | |
| 9 Apr 98 to 11 Apr 98 | The Place Theatre, Inner London :: V240 listing details L880497431 |
