Benji Read Dance

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. Following his years as a freelance performer he formed BREAKING CYCLES.

Benji's dance background includes; 1985 GLC Break-Dance Champions with Broken Glass Street Crew, European Body-Popping Champion and 2nd in the 1986 World Dance Championships.In 1989 Benji worked with the legendary Soul II Soul as the main dancer and choreographer for their world tour, appearing on the Arsino Hall show and playing at the Soul Train Awards.

In theatre Benji has worked widely with such highly regarded companies as the David Glass Ensemble, Trestle Theatre, Theatr Clwyd and Black Mime Theatre. It was with Black Mime Theatre that Benji first became interested in directing.

In 1998 Benji directed his first main stage play, hip hop musical 'Avalanche' for Nottingham Playhouse and in 1999 co-directed Jonzi D's 'Aeroplane Man'. In the same year he toured 'Paper Jackets', a one-man show he wrote and starred in. This became the foundation for BREAKING CYCLES the company.