An introduction to Benji Reid

Meet Benji Reid – the multifaceted, multi-talented Manchester artist whose decade-spanning career takes in dance, theatre and photography (as well as fusing all three together). From his early days as a breakdancer to developing his own blend of visual storytelling with "choreo-photolism", get to know the artist behind the lens.

Back to (early) life

Benji has referred to dance as his first love. Growing up in Manchester, he recalls seeing contemporary dance shows with his mother at the Palace Theatre, leaving feeling inspired to try out dance for himself. Starting with the robot then evolving to bodypopping – after being introduced to hip hop through Malcolm McClaren’s Buffalo Gals video – he taught himself the dance crazes of the day.

His natural talent and work ethic saw him picked up by Broken Glass – one of the UK’s leading breakdance crews in the 1980s – who he toured with from 1984 to 1986.

Always wanting to evolve his craft, in 1986 Benji enrolled at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance where he studied ballet, contemporary dance and choreography, as well as lighting design.

Finding himself in London, he auditioned for the music collective Soul II Soul in 1990, becoming their chief dancer and co-choreographer and joining them on their Club Classics Vol. One world tour.

Benji Reid wearing beige trousers, a light grey top and a grey beanie. He is stood next to one of his photographs, which is framed on a white wall. — Benji Reid. Courtesy of the artist.

Breaking Cycles

Benji’s work with Soul II Soul set the tone for a series of collaborations in the ‘90s, working with different theatre makers and directors, before his own directorial debut in 1998. Hip-hop musical Avalanche – the first play directed by Benji – also marked the founding of his own theatre company, Breaking Cycles.

By the turn of the millennium, Benji had become a pivotal figure in the development of hip-hop theatre in the UK – co-curating The Illness, the first night of hip-hop theatre at the renowned Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London, alongside Jim Parris, DJ Bizniss, Robert Hylton, Jonzi D, and Abstract Dance (Mo Ideas and Frank Wilson).

Speaking about what hip hop theatre is, Benji has said: “It’s the amalgamation of theatre practice and the five cultures of hip hop; break-dancing, mc-ing, beat-boxing, graffiti and turn-tabling. This creates something of a new language because you have a different way of animating the actors and you stage them using breaking or popping. Also if you use a DJ where someone would normally use a composer, you have the chance to rewind the scene or speed up a scene." (i)

Trust the process

As well as pushing the boundaries of theatre, throughout his career Benji has been committed to supporting the next generation of talent. In 2006, he founded Process 06, the UK's first artist-led hip-hop theatre festival and a platform for artists to explore hip-hop theatre as an educational tool.

Nurturing talent, running workshops and leading performances, with Process 06 Benji gave audiences an insight into making quality hip hop theatre. The festival is just one example from a long career that showcases Benji’s dedication to creating space for artists to experiment and develop their craft in a supportive community.

A photograph by Benji Reid, showing Benji sat on a suspended chair dressed in a space suit, while a young girl holds on to a rope round his waist — Benji Reid. Courtesy of the artist. Benji Reid.

Behind the lens

In 2011, the financial challenges faced by Breaking Cycles prompted Benji to pivot towards photography. With a camera he’d previously used to document theatre work, he turned the lens inwards, away from the stage and towards his home life – capturing images of his daughter growing up.

With his passion for photography ignited, Benji began staging and capturing incredible, gravity-defying scenes from his own living room – exploring themes like mental health, masculinity and the human condition through his work. He coined the term "choreo-photolism" to describe his unique practice that merges choreography, photography, theatre, and storytelling.

Photograph by Benji Reid of a figure suspended in the air on a chair. They are surrounded by surreal objects. The background is yellow. — Benji Reid. Courtesy of the artist.

Find Your Eyes

In 2023, Reid returned to the stage with Find Your Eyes. Premiering at Manchester International Festival, Find Your Eyes intertwined Benji’s photographic practice with his background in dance and theatre to startling effect.

Receiving universal critical acclaim for both its innovative approach and profound storytelling, Find Your Eyes offered audiences an intimate glimpse into Benji’s creative process – blending dance, storytelling and live photography to explore vulnerability, creativity and resilience.

Since wowing audiences at MIF23, Benji has gone onto tour Find Your Eyes – taking it to Amsterdam, Venice, Dublin and New York, before returning to his home of Manchester to present it again at Aviva Studios in May 2025.

Benji Reid's career is a testament to his versatility and commitment to pushing artistic boundaries. Through his pioneering work in hip-hop theatre, the establishment of Breaking Cycles, his innovative choreo-photolist practice, and his explorations of mental health and identity, Reid continues to inspire and influence the realms of dance, theatre and photography.

A rare chance to see choreography, photography and performance fused together in a live show, Find Your Eyes is the jewel in the crown of an incredible career.