Oily Cart Presents HIPPITY HOP This Christmas

After its sell-out success over a decade ago, Oily Cart is delighted to announce the return of its not too cool for pre-school show - HIPPITY HOP. Running from 11 to 31 December at artsdepot, North Finchley followed by a national UK tour from January 11, this hip 'n' happening, multi-sensory musical is back to meet and immerse a new generation of hip young things into the magical world of theatre.

An Oily Cart show is like no other - a fully interactive and inclusive theatrical experience from the second the doors are open...and Hippity Hop is no exception. With a cast of 3, including a live MC and a live musician on stage, slam poetry and puppetry are fused with original music created by leading hip hop artist BREIS - of whom The Guardian wrote "he is one of the best kept secrets in British Hip Hop" - and movement choreographed by Debbie Bandara to create this highly interactive, musical and multi-sensory show. This is tiny tots theatre, Oily Cart Style. It's hip, it's happening, it's a hip hopera!

Hippity Hop tells the story of The Runaway Pram, as the young audience help a lost baby to find her Mum. The show is suitable for children aged 2 - 5; and a relaxed/enhanced version is also available at certain venues for youngsters up to the age of 8.

Hippity Hop is directed by children's theatre specialist Patrick Lynch who has been directing theatre for young people since 2003 - but is perhaps best known to audiences big and small for his presenting work on CBeebies which he has done since 2006. The production also features many Oily Cart stalwarts and familiar faces - from performer Katherine Vernez Gray (In A Pickle, Hush-A-Bye, Kubla Khan) to musician Kadialy Kouyate (Kora player from Hush-A-Bye and the recent Kubla Khan tour) - as well as newcomer Oli Polidore Perrins.

Hip Hop artist BREIS (pronounced breeze) is a critically acclaimed recording rap artist, author and founder of Student of Life. Growing up in both London and Lagos influenced BREIS' sound, which is a fusion of Hip Hop, Jazz and Afro-beat. His infectious songs are full of witty lyrics, wordplay and humour. He is a seasoned performer who has toured internationally sharing the stage with artists such as Angie Stone, Big Daddy Kane, Black Thought of The Roots and Omar Sosa to name a few and performs regularly with French Hip Hop Funk band, Horndogz. Check out his catchy Hip Hop/Afrobeat single, 'Identity' and his hit song, 'The Right Person' online. BREIS is also the author of 'Brilliant Rappers Educate Intelligent Students' and founder of Student of Life - a Hip Hop inspired arts organisation that uses rap workshops to engage students and improve their self-esteem.

Performing live on stage at each show is MC Solocypher otherwise known as Oli Polidore Perrins. By day, he has developed a career as a teacher, presenting multi-sensory stories and delivering thousands of engaging lessons to young people with special needs. By night, he has curated an underground rap career as Solocypher, writing and performing three full-length albums. He has shared stages with hip hop icons such as Soweto Kinch, Skinnyman & Homeboy Sandman; been part of the London Lyricist Lounge elite ciphers, and hosted legendary hip hop night "Fat Gold Chain" in London and Birmingham.

Hippity Hop opens on December 11 at artsdepot, North Finchley prior to a UK tour from 12 January.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

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