Theatre News

Diversity get Digitized in Manchester & Liverpool

Dance act Diversity are back in the North West next week as part of an arena tour – entitiled Digitized.

Spurred on by the group’s motto “Dream, Believe, Achieve”, Diversity are an example of what can be accomplished with hard work, dedication and belief. Group leader and Choreographer Ashley Banjo said “We have been blown away by the reaction we received from our first two tours. It has been amazing. We are really looking forward to getting back out there with a brand new show.”

Since winning Britain’s Got Talent in 2009, Diversity have performed in front of H.M. The Queen on The Royal Variety Show, been the first act to perform outside No. 10 Downing Street in front of the Prime Minister, and they starred in British smash-hit film StreetDance 3D.

Plus Diversity have two UK sold out tours with their show Diversity’s: Bringing A Toy Story To Life travelling the length of the country performing for their legion of devoted fans, with some stand out reviews. Incorporating several genres of music from classical to hip-hop, their diverse eye-catching routines won the hearts of the nation. So far they’ve performed live to over 600,000 people across the world.

Formed in 2007, in memory of a dear friend, the dance troupe consists of eleven members from East London and the Essex area. Diversity are one big family, made up of three sets of brothers ranging in age from 13-26: Ashley and Jordan Banjo, Ian, Jamie and Matthew McNaughton, Sam and Mitchell Craske. They are complemented by four of their best friends: Terry Smith, Ike Ezekwugo, Warren Russell and Perri Luc Kiely.

Ashley the group’s leader and choreographer has been dancing since he was just 5 years old, he has been a judge on Sky 1’s hugely successful show Got to Dance for the past 2 years and is appearring on the judging panel again this year.

Incorporating several genres of music from classical to hip-hop, their diverse eye-catching routines won the hearts of the nation and forced Simon Cowell to describe them as “sheer and utter perfection”.

Diversity Digitized is at the Manchester Arena on 9 April and the Liverpool Echo Arena on 11 April.