Breakinโ Convention: Breakout Convention
Sadlerโs Wells Theatre
Reviewed โ 3rd July 2021
โ โ โ โ โ
โa rich celebration of cultureโ
Returning for its 18th year, Breakin Convention is a 2-hour cornucopia of Hip Hop Dance theatre that revels in showcasing the full bounty that hip hop culture has become over the past 30 years. Devised, curated and MCโd by dancer and spoken word poet, Jonzi-D, the show takes in talents from around the world and is sure to satiate the appetite of any of the trueheads out there.
Dance and performance were interspaced with two short film series: โNext Day Deliveryโ and โPower to the Pixelโ. The concept for โNext Day Deliveryโ was to make a new film within 24 hrs which had to feature props, music, and words of Jonziโs choosing. For me the standout piece was dancer and choreographer Sun Kimโs collaboration with wordsmith and poet Surid in โ(Gas) lightingโ which showcased Sun Kimโs slowed down popping and locking over a beautiful soundtrack performed by Ffion Campbell Davies and accompanied by Suridโs crisp diction.
Later, Atypical with Attitude, a company comprised of dancers with atypical physical or mental capabilities, premiered โBlindfoldedโ- a beautiful and engaging piece which appeared to reflect living through the digital, dystopian times of Covid-19. Opening to sounds reminiscent of frantic morse-code tapping and lighting that flicker the performers in and out of illumination; the dancers jolted their bodies to the flickering lights before performing a piece of staccato, interrupted routines which seems all too familiar to the stop start nature of the last two years.
The sense of being locked in routine also ran through Spoken Movementโs โFamily Honourโ. A multi award-winning dance psychodrama that explored the taut relationship between father and daughter through tutting (think vogueing in a toned-down, a hip hop sort of way), popping and precise choreography. Elsewhere Spin & S.I Stature used combative breaking and spoken word to shine light on the violent present-day struggles in Colombia and the female quartet Bettyโs Blues merge jazz tap, popping and spoken word to wonderful effect in a fun and sassy piece. The show ended with the suitable finale of Patience Jโs โColoursโ; a 20-piece, high energy celebration of modern Afro Dance forms which featured the Congolese Nโdombolo and the Ghanian Azonto which will be familiar to most, if not in name.
It must be said that not all pieces were five stars and there were awkward moments too when, for example, one Power to the Pixel entry appeared to promote the anti-vaccine conspiracy theory #Plandemic. However, it would be churlish to try to pick holes in individual performances when witnessing such a rich celebration of culture. A perfect offering to greet those blinking groggily back into life, theatre, and dance after our long-imposed hibernations.
Reviewed by Euan Vincent
Photography by Paul Hampartsoumian
Breakinโ Convention: Breakout Convention
Sadlerโs Wells Theatre until 4th July
Reviewed at this venue this year:
Reunion | โ โ โ โ โ | Sadlerโs Wells Theatre | May 2021
Overflow | โ โ โ โ โ | Sadlerโs Wells Theatre | May 2021
Wild Card | โ โ โ โ | Sadlerโs Wells Theatre | June 2021
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