Breakin’ Convention 2017 at the Festival Theatre Edinburgh Review
Reviewed by Deborah Mackenzie
‘A weekend of performances, workshops, DJs, Graffiti and Cyphers’ – Breakin’ Convention is not to be missed!
We went to see the last night’s performance and WOW! Breakin’ Convention, one of the biggest festivals of hip hop dance theatre, showcasing the very best from around the world and around the UK. Organised and hosted by two well-known hip hop, dance and spoken word artists; Jonzi D and Tony Thrills.
As you opened the doors of the theatre, you were immediately transported into a high energised world, the music boomed out and were greeted with a cluster of bodies. Spectators from every level watched talented hip hop dancers from different crews and those who had attended workshops earlier strut their moves on a make shift dancefloor in the foyer!
Although hip hop was originally developed in the South Bronx, New York City by urban Black and Latino youth, it has become an art form throughout the world; each country has added to it their own styles incorporating some of their culture making it spectacular and unique.
Having only ever witnessed this type of dance on screen, where crews compete against each other, it is hard to choose a winner from all the acts we saw. Each one had something different and jaw dropping to present. The following are the ones that spoke volumes to me personally.
A.K.O. in Monkey de work, Baboon de chop (a west African saying) expressed how your hard work is for the benefit of another, as in slavery. It told the story of how slavery has evolved from the influences around us. A powerful and meaning full piece…
SheltoeMel & Pearl Kinnear. SheltoeMel is a veteran of the Scottish hip hop scene, performed ‘The Waltz of Modern Psychiatry’ while Pearl painted the story on a large white sheet. It was at this moment I realised that hip hop was not all about fast paced dance moves, but actually had a story to tell, something far deeper and meaningful as each move was executed on stage…
Tentacle Tribe (Canada), performed ‘Nobody Likes A Pixelated Squid’, they called it conceptual hip hop or deconstructed street dance, as it is a fusion of music and movement inspired by the diverse land and sea creatures. These two dancers belong to each other, they are two but on stage become one as they engage with their story and draw you into it to the point there is nothing else going on…
Soweto Skeleton Movers (South Africa) performed Seven 7; I wanted to take this crew home with me, I wanted to learn all about them, talk, laugh and cry with them. They are experts in a form of pantsula and they used a mixture of comedic contortionism, oh that guys shoulder blade moving up and down, was scarily beautiful! Their hat tricks are magical as they tossed, flipped and spun soft bush hats over their arms, onto their head and more. Footwork that put Fred Astaire back into kindergarten dance school! You really need to see them…
The last dance of the night: Just Dance (South Korea) performed, The 7 Human Emotions. This was led by a Buddhist monk with traditional instruments, mainly drums, it was an inspiration performance depicting the frailty of human life. They did the most technically astounding power moves ever seen! Can you spin on one hand while your body is parallel with the ground? Or a handstand and lean your body and legs in opposing angels? Or spin on your head? Well these guys can, do and go further than that!
The performance came to an end on stage, but the crews were in the foyers mingling with the audience, happy to share a word or two. The crowd was on fire, everyone seemed to be bubbling over… as I eavesdropped a group of Brazilians leaving with us as they raved about the crews, the show and sheer talent of dancers, speaking to them, we agreed it is a show that has made a mark on us all, and something not to be missed.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £16.50 (booking fees may apply).
Breakin’ Convention 2017 is at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh from 5-6 May 2017, for more information or to book tickets visit www.edtheatres.com or call the box office on 0131 529 6000.
Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT | 0131 529 6000
