Dance sensation Flawless will embark on their biggest tour yet with their feature-length show Chase the Dream. This show first premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2010, where it took both the critics and the audience by storm, and they won the Forth1 Best Festival Act 2011.
As well as the remarkable street dance routines for which they have become famous, this inspirational show will include contemporary jazz, modern ballet and jump jive. Exposing this diverse range of dance skills both collectively and as individual performers, Chase the Dream explores life in the fast lane, ultimately encouraging everyone to chase their dreams.
After making it to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, the 10 strong dance troupe starred in the hit movie StreetDance 3D as well as appearing in music videos for Madonna, Beyonce, Leona Lewis and Westlife. Following a sold-out run of Chase the Dream at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year, Flawless continue to entertain audiences across the UK with their energy, originality and uncanny unison.
Choreographer and lead member of Flawless Marlon Wallen, 26, formed the group in 2004. A self- taught dancer, Wallen was inspired by the likes of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Michael Jackson and James Brown. Wallen and the rest of Flawless work closely together to produce new and innovative choreography to make dance more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Widely recognized and highly respected on the dance circuit, the skills and dedication of the troupe has earned them numerous awards including ‘Best Street Dance Group’ in 2005, ‘Best Choreographed Group’ in 2006, UK’s ‘Street Dance Champions’ in 2008, ‘International Dance Champions’ and ‘World Dance Championships’ in 2006 after battling over 50 nations from around the world in Germany.
As one of the fastest growing contemporary dance forms, street dance is an umbrella term used to describe several dance styles which usually evolve in open spaces such as parks, clubs and streets. Examples of the most popular styles of street dance include b-boying (also known as break dancing) which originated in New York in 1970s, Melbourne Shuffle which originated in Melbourne and Tecktonik which originated in Paris.
Encouraging interaction with spectators and the other dancers, street dance is often improvisational and social in nature. It demands skill, co-ordination, rhythm and personality. Due to the continued rise in popularity, many street dance styles such as b-boying, popping, locking and krumping have been developed and choreographed for commercial pop, hip-hop, electronic and R&B music videos.
Flawless are: Marlon “Swoosh” Wallen, Anthony “A.D.” Duncan, Nathan “Oddey” Kabongo, Paul “Breaker” Samuels, Allan “Boogie” Kabeja, Christian “Bounce” Alozie, Leroy “FX” Dos Santo, Simon “Shock” Smith, Paul “Steady” Steadman, and Nathan “Neo” Gordon.
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Flawless – Chase the Dream
Fri 1 & Sat 2 April
7.30pm
Tickets: £22.00
Box Office 0131 529 6000/
