Light and darkness. Darkness and light. Darkness!

These dramatic movements of lighting set the mood for the enthralling dance performance by Josh Effi. Through the darkness, we hear Effi gasping and stomping his feet on the floor while beatboxing with his mouth.

A few minutes later, Effi appears from the darkness, transforming from a shadow into a man sporting an all-white armless T-shirt, Jeans trousers, and trainers, his back turned at us. His head spins, his legs kick in windmills, and his body freezes as he raises his head to the ceiling, gazing at the lighting like a man in a trance on a journey to self-discovery.

He gradually moves from the centre stage to the left, turning to face us before stopping to stare in awe. He spreads his arms high, slowly bringing them down like a magician. “Poof,” he says, as though blowing off the lighting. The light goes off.

The stage is covered in darkness.

Like a spirit, Effi appears from the darkness. The spotlight picks him moving his body and stomping his feet on the floor before running from the light into the dark side of the stage. The spotlight finds him krumping on the right side of the stage. As though scared of the light, Effi runs into the darkness.

Again, the spotlight finds him. After a few krumping and tutting, he runs away from the light into darkness. But the light remains, waiting for him to return.

Effi hesitantly stands outside the spotlight. Slowly, he walks into the light, shielding his eyes with his right hand as though he is blinded by the light. His reflection merges with the spotlight, forming a keyhole while his shadow lurks behind him. He looks confused and lost.

“Hello my son,” a female voice, perhaps Effi’s mother’s, says. “I want you to know that I will always support you no matter what. I’m proud of everything you are doing!” With these words of encouragement, Effi moves from darkness to light and becomes a light.

Busting with a new energy, he hops in the air, dancing from the centre of the stage to the right. “If you want to stand out, you have to stop being afraid and have faith,” the voice continues. “Because fear only limits you while faith lifts you.” After these words of encouragement, the voice declares her love for Effi as he relishes his newfound strength and embraces the light.

Kneeling on one leg and bowing his head in the centre stage, “Monster!”, a song by the Nigerian-born English singer and songwriter Jacob Banks booms from the speakers. The light dims and Effi, basking in his fresh emotional, mental, and spiritual energy, dances as though he is celebrating his transition from darkness to light. The crowd cheers as he commemorates his freedom in song and dance.

A brilliant monster is born from the heart of darkness.

The display of a level of athleticism by Effi is both mesmerising and awe-inspiring, effortlessly transitioning from timid dance routines to explosive dance sequences. Each move is executed with precision, yet there is a sense of spontaneity that keeps the performance fresh and unpredictable.

Effi’s mom’s voicemail and Jacob Banks’ “Monster” play a crucial role in his transition from darkness to light, from timid to bold. The soundscape is as varied as the dance styles themselves. The soothing voicemail and the bass-heavy beats drive the intensity of the dance sequences, while glitchy, stuttering rhythms highlight the precision of the popping routines. The voicemail and the soundtrack are not just a backdrop but an integral part of the performance, pushing Effi to new heights and reinforcing the connection between the movement and the music.

Beyond the dance, the production, especially the dramatic use of the lighting, is equally impressive. The lighting design enhances the mood of each segment, with stark, dramatic contrasts during Effi’s timid period and vibrant, flashing lights during his monstrous (read: self-discovery and courageous) period. The set design, the black drapes in the background and Effi’s all-white costume are minimalistic, subtly narrating the story of light and darkness, fear and courage.

The performance titled “Faith Lifts Fear Limits” was performed at Dance Base in Edinburgh, which was tagged ‘Live & Direct HipHop Dance showcase’