KATE PRINCE

When people ask me who I admire most in my life (this doesn't happen all that often actually, but if you imagine Morgan Freeman saying that first line it feels like you are at the beginning of a delightful film doesn't it?) my answer would be Kate Prince. Being a lover of  hip-hop music and rich narratives that strongly connect me to the characters and action (take a breath Jenny!), it's not a surprise that Prince's creation 'ZooNation' became a favourite. When anyone asks me about a ZooNation production, I truly sound like a groupie-a MASSIVE fan.

ZooNation was set up by Kate Prince in 2002, and within eight years became a resident company at Sadler's Wells. The first big production that was commissioned 'Into the Hoods' was a huge hit, marrying traditional fairytales (Lil' Red and the Wolf for example) with modern tracks by artists such as Kanye West, Janet Jackson and Stevie Wonder to name a few.

The ZooNation company has now gone on to produce shows such as 'Some like it Hip Hop' an adaptation of  'Some like it Hot', 'Groove on Down the Road' an adaptation of 'the Wizard of Oz' by ZYC, the youth company, and 'The Mad Hatters tea Party', an original take on the characters from 'Alice in Wonderland'.

The amazing energy and humour from the shows ensure that you leave on a high. The music is always well chosen, and the skill of the dancers showcased is mind-blowing. The strength agility and even acting skills of the performers is of high quality, and more importantly, can appeal to people of all ages.

Prince's vision to put together Hip Hop and narrative that appeals to a huge audience has taken bravery and creativity. A white woman leading the way in hip hop is not so controversial any more, but unusual, and her ethos has been clear from the beginning.

The creative vision in each show will always make your heart smile. Dance battles instead of  job interviews, a white rabbit that has OCD (that's why he's always so late!) and a sensitive boy named Lionel at school who is encouraged to be brave (We all have a bit of a Lion day sometimes?).

I would encourage everyone to go and see anything produced by this lady, as you are guaranteed to enjoy the creative spin put on EVERYTHING that she does (there's that groupie voice again!)

I'd like to thank Kate Prince for being a role-model for risk taking, for making stories fun, modern and relatable, and for having great taste in music!

To keep up to date with ZooNation performances and news on further productions, you can subscribe to the newsletter at the link below.

http://www.zoonation.co.uk

http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/oct/09/kate-prince-choreographer-portrait

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/13795077/?claim=cxzs3b6mpjb">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Noteworthy past productions

ZooNation

February 2015- SMILE-Sadlers Wells Associates

December 2014- The Madhatters Tea Party

August 2013/2014- Groove on Down The Road (youth company)

September 2013- ZooNation Unplugged

June 2012- Some Like it Hip Hop

Other

BLIND- New Diorama November 2014

Broke-Edinburgh fringe-Pleasance Dome August 2014

The Roof : The National Theatre- June 2014

Punchdrunk

The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable- November 2014

FUERZA BRUTA-Roundhouse- 2011-2013

Welcome!

Hi! Welcome to my blog. 

My name is Jenny and I have two main passions: Performance and Performing. 

I grew up in Greater London with my Dad and older brother, and it was during this time that I became inspired to perform by my brilliant Drama Teachers. With my Dad being a single working parent, my brother and I had a lot of free time at home to develop our interests. My brother had a heavy influence on my love of hip hop music and often bought hip hop mix tape discs where we discovered producers like Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and The Neptunes. This led to a natural progression of watching many hours of MTV, particularly MTV Base (I can't remember how many times I got caught mid dance-routine in the living room during 'Say My Name' or 'More Than a Woman'!) 

I'm also mixed English, Jewish and Anglo-Indian, so I love anything that celebrates cultural differences. I also for that reason adore London, as it's a place where all of the things I love, happen! 

After a visit during my teenage years to The National Theatre, my eyes were open to modern and edgy productions. I trained and started my career as a Primary Teacher, but my enthusiasm for Drama and directing edgy plays in school continued, and led me to a job as a full time Drama Teacher, setting up a Drama department with my good friend in one of the largest Independent schools in London and the UK which I am still doing now. 

I have been to see many productions which follow the themes of the things that I love and now I'd like to share what's on offer, all in one place. I want to be clear that it isn't my intention to 'review' these shows. I am an enthusiast really, so I suppose these posts are my descriptions, excitements and thoughts about the shows and also to give some insight into this world. Being the girl that I am (slight over sharer who talks from a stream of consciousness most of the time!) I'll also put some personal posts on the sight. 

Thank you, and happy browsing!