Established in 2005, Peridot is not only a South London based dance troupe but also a family which have become known for their tightly synchronised and intricate moves as well as more recently their matching yellow cardy’s. Founded and choreographed by Eugene ‘Simmz’ Drummond, Peridot are a collective of 10 male dancers whose love and passion for their craft has brought them together. They all have individual talents and collectively bring trained elements of acrobatics, popping, locking, waving, tutting, breaking, isolation, ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, modern and commercial street dance styles together as tools to create their work.
The group has an average age range of 21-29. The collective have adopted the phrase “its not easy being green’; meaning that to be in Peridot is hard work, but the dedication of each member is the reason that with every performance they grow stronger. Peridots main aim as a group and company is evident within their slogan, “Aspiring to Inspire”. Peridot are fully aware that what they do through their passion is witnessed by many and are hopeful that through their position as role models they can help dance as an art form be perceived as a positive release for all.
The group know that difficulties and set backs may arise, but the goals they have created for themselves will be achieved through their hard work perseverance and dedication to their art.
Peridot is actually a green Gem stone, it’s my birth stone and I am a jeweller by trade. That’s the connection really.
Well to be honest it stood out to me as being very unique and if I was to describe the group in one word it would be that, unique.
To me it’s our drive, not only as a group but as individuals. We are so determined to be successful, to be better than our last performance. We are always training and developing ourselves individually and bringing new moves and ideas back to the table.
Simmz is the creator and main choreographer of Street Dance Crew Peridot. It is through his vision that the collective have come together united like a family in dance. 'I have an idea of a theme that we can use or and idea and run with that concept for the piece, I ask for input from the rest of the boys and they help to tie in all the elements for the end product. Peridot are known for their explosive energy, tricks and heavily synchronised routines and pride themselves on being 'tight' when they perform.
'My main dance style is Isolation which is quite static and robotic at times, I seek inspiration for the creation of our work from everyday life but mainly from films as I believe that they are the bridge between imagination and reality'.
Anton has been dancing since the age of 16 and was self taught up until his attendance of Croydon College where he studied an AVCE in performing arts and was trained in both jazz and contemporary dance styles. Anton has recently completed an upper 2nd class degree with honours at Kingston University where he studied dance and drama. "Dance is my life, I don't know what I would be doing or where I would be with out it".
Benji has been dancing since the age of 15, going to various dance classes/workshops mainly around the East London area. He has trained in the foundations of Popping, Locking and B-Boying for 6 years in total. Benji has obtained a BA Hons in ‘Performing Arts in Acting and Dance’ where he studied many methods of Acting and Contemporary dance for 3 years. He can also be seen in a few commercials nationwide such as Blackberry, Nokia and Skittles’ to name a few. Benjamin continues to be inspired by his peers and supporters who show support, which is why he continues to dance with the purpose of ‘Aspiring to Inspire’.
Danny started dancing from the age of 15 after being inspired by his older sister and her friends training and dancing in his living room. Seeing them develop and hone their skills and go from performing at park events to music videos and concerts made him know that this was what he wanted to do.
"I love dancing because I get to express myself the way I want to, I love the energy, I love sharing my passion with audiences who appreciate what I and we do"
Daryll has been dancing since the age of 12. He started in a really small dance class and As time passed he attended a bigger dance school and competed in dance comps which opened his eyes to the dance world. He briefly stopped dance at the age of 15 to study and work But quickly realised his lifestyle was missing his strong passion for dance. Dance is not just an art form to me it’s a way of life and I wouldn’t choose to live any other way.
Dwain aka Dubs was first introduced to dance by his mum at the age of 7 when she took him and his younger sister to a dance school in South-East London. 'At this school I met many good friends and trained in tap, jazz, disco, street, hip-hop, modern/contemporary and acrobatics'. Peridot has been a positive influence for Dwain as for the rest of the boys and he shows this with his signature smile whenever he moves.'What I enjoy the most about dancing is expressing how I feel whether it’s at home, in a studio, the streets or on a stage'.
Harryson Parkes has been dancing since he was 11 but didnt get in to street dance until he was 14 when he found a local street dance school which he joined with some friends. Apart from dance he has a passion for music and plays the piano. He attended the BRIT school of performing arts where he studied music and has recently finished university where he studied music, media and events management.
Nicholas, formally known "Slick Nick" or "Slickolas" from his unique fluid "Waving" style.'A lot of people knew me as Slick or Slickolas and really didnt want me to change my name, I guess I personally went threw a transition in my style of dancing and feel that Marvel was more suited from my love of comics and all things animation. Nicholas says the defining moment that pushed him into dance was when he saw Usher doing the dance style known as 'strobing' on the MOBO awards in 2001. 'I'd never seen anything like that before and I thought to myself, I need to learn how to do that....
" After seeing that he practiced on a day to day basis with fellow Peridot members Simon and Harryson whom he met at school. Nicholas has now developed his skills and become the dancer that you see today where he has been often referred to as marvellous, imaginative and amazing by judges and audiences alike especially after witnessing his unique neck and chest isolation.
Simon Lee, 22, started dancing when he was 14 years of age inspired by his friend and fellow peridonian Harryson parkes in the playground at school, which guided him to street dance school GWI where his love and passion grew more, later on picked up by Eugene Simmz Drummond who brought him up in the troop matured him into the dancer he is today, "Dance is my inspiration to move further I just want people to feel it when I dance".
Darren is the newest and youngest member of Peridot. Darren started dancing when he was inspired, like many others, by the movie "You Got Served" from which he began self teaching and developing himself to the level he is at now. His main focus is choreography, although his style of choreography is unlike anyone else. 'It dosn't really have a name, it's just something I have developed over the years'. Darren's style really comes to effect when uses the unique genre of music known as Dubstep.
'The genre seems to fit what i do perfectly, it was like the missing link to my style'.
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