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Cool Rules / Fams - A dance theatre double-bill featuring some of the pioneers of hip-hop theatre exploring modern urban society.

Cool Rules / Fams

The Drum is proud to welcome British dance guru's Jonzi D and Benji Reid and their thrilling double bill of hip-hop theatre Cool Rules and Fams, Sat 18 Oct, 7.30pm.

A dance theatre double-bill featuring some of the pioneers of hip-hop theatre exploring modern urban society.

Cool Rules, is performed by ex-Lewisham College student Curtis James and directed by Jonzi D. Mixing lyrical speech with movement, the piece explores the hopes and aspirations of a young man growing up in modern Britain. Cool Rules is an uncompromising tale of pride, fear and hope which explores the explosion of violence within our young communities and brings you back to urban reality with a bump.

"There are rules that you have to follow to stay cool, there are rules you have to break to remain cool. No one ever tells you what to do when you lose your cool."

Fams, featuring shortMAN and Curtis James was co-written and directed by Benji Reid. Two strangers enter a hospital waiting room and leave as brothers in this journey of discovery for two young men working out who they are and where they’re going in life. A fusion of contemporary dance, urban street styles and physical theatre that is sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, always real.

• Curtis James trained as a dancer at Lewisham College and then Rambert School of Classical and Contemporary Dance. He has worked with some of the leading lights of the hip hop theatre world including Jonzi D and Robert Hylton, and with organisations such as the South Bank Centre and the National Gallery.

• Jonzi D has been actively involved in British hip hop culture since its genesis in the early eighties. His company, Jonzi D Productions is an Associate Company of Sadler's Wells. Jonzi is also the curator and host of the acclaimed Breakin’ Convention International Hip Hop Dance Theatre festival.

• Benji Reid is a creative producer, devisor and director. He trained as a dancer with the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and as an actor with Philippe Gaullierand Double Edge Theatre. After several years as a freelance dancer Benji set up his own hip hop theatre company, Breaking Cycles.

As part of The Drum's UnionBlack season, Cool Rules and Fams is a show not to be missed. Tickets are £6 (£4), under 14's are £3, to book now call box office on 0121 333 2444 or online at www.the-drum.org.uk.