Breakin’ Convention: Breakout Convention

Sadler’s Wells Theatre

Reviewed – 3rd July 2021

★★★★★

“a rich celebration of culture“

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 MC’d 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: ‘Next Day Delivery’ and ‘Power to the Pixel’. The concept for ‘Next Day Delivery’ was to make a new film within 24 hrs which had to feature props, music, and words of Jonzi’s choosing. For me the standout piece was dancer and choreographer Sun Kim’s collaboration with wordsmith and poet Surid in ‘(Gas) lighting’ which showcased Sun Kim’s slowed down popping and locking over a beautiful soundtrack performed by Ffion Campbell Davies and accompanied by Surid’s crisp diction.

Later, Atypical with Attitude, a company comprised of dancers with atypical physical or mental capabilities, premiered ‘Blindfolded’- 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 Movement’s ‘Family Honour’. 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 Betty’s 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 J’s ‘Colours’; a 20-piece, high energy celebration of modern Afro Dance forms which featured the Congolese N’dombolo 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

Breakin’ Convention: Breakout Convention

Sadler’s Wells Theatre until 4th July

Reviewed at this venue this year:

Reunion | ★★★★★ | Sadler’s Wells Theatre | May 2021

Overflow | ★★★★★ | Sadler’s Wells Theatre | May 2021

Wild Card | ★★★★ | Sadler’s Wells Theatre | June 2021

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