Rapper, poet, hip hop theatre practitioner and educator Ali Gadema has created a piece that highlights the contradictions not only in hip-hop but within our society.

Inspired by real-life events, Contradictions take us on a journey through accidental cruelty and deliberate machismo, exploring the true nature of prejudice and bigotry.The action takes place on Manchesters' infamous number 42 bus route; where the most diverse of the city’s dwellers come together.

Contradictions blends spoken word, hip-hop and live music as it follows the journey of several characters; all of whom Gadema plays.

Jenna Omeltschenko: Producer Ali Gadema: Performer and Co-writer Bricks: Performer and Co-writer Jonathan McGrath: Director Martin Distin: Light designer Jay Diamond: Co-writer

Suitable for ages 14+

Medium use of text

Requires clear understanding of English

Uses live and recorded music

Not currently available with BSL interpretation, audio description or captioning

No. of performers on stage: 2

No. of people on tour: 4

Suitable for small (up to 400) scale venue

Appropriate setting: Studio theatre

Suitable for rural touring

Available for tour from Spring 2010

There will be workshops available alongside the performance. They will involve spoken word and MCing.

Ali Gadema is an established rapper, poet, hip hop theatre practitioner and educator who has been working nationally for the past eight years. Under the alias of Frisko Dan he founded Freestyle Mondays, a night of improvised lyricism and beatbox at the Contact Theatre. In 2005 Ali started Sharpening SAWDS, a hip-hop arts collective working with both established artists and young people from urban communities to produce dynamic and high-octane hip-hop theatre.

In 2007 Ali Gadema co-wrote and performed in The Adventures of Carl Brogan, a Sharpening SAWDS production directed by Baba Israel and performed at Contact Theatre. Ali is also one of the founding members of the Pen-ultimate poetry collective and is co-writing their first piece A Night on the Tiles. Contradictions is the second production from Sharpening SAWDS and will open at Contact in Spring 2010.