Breakin ‘ Convention

Sadler’s Wells, London
May 3, 2025

As Breakin’ Convention Festival takes over Sadler’s Wells for the weekend, the age demographic plumets and the audience reflects the exciting diversity of London. Earplugs are handed out as hip-hop theatre legend and director, Jonzi D demands the packed audience ‘make some big noise’ and gets the right response.

There were events in the foyer incorporating workshops and graffiti artists while on stage some of the best international and local acts were lined up. BirdGang (UK), who made their debut at the very first Breakin’ Convention twenty-two years ago, took the opening slot with Constellation and got the audience definitely making a lot of noise! The dance, with liquid bodies twirling and bouncing off the stage was hugely impressive. Alongside the clever use of masks, hats and wings, they used bird images to reshape ideas in ways that kept the interest throughout.

Closing the first act was The Ruggeds from the Netherlands who rivalled in superb dance skills in this celebration of their twentieth anniversary. The choreography byJessy Kemper and Roy Overdijk with the dancers, was a class act in structure and pace. The six men held the stage in a cool, confident manner interspersed with fireworks of breathtaking brilliance. Each had distinctive style and moves, constantly upping their game with fresh ideas, innovation and skill that stretched human possibility to the limit.

In between was an interesting mix of styles and acts. Lauren Scott, a home nurtured artist working with Matthew Eudu offered My Old Friend & I, a work exploring the relationship between who we were and who we are that invites further development.

A blast of energy came with Belgium krump artist, Illi Wild, in BeZarbi a journey into what it means to be human. It was a solo work performed under effective lighting by a charismatic artist.

Chandenie Productions (The Netherlands/UK) presented the core of a new work, Caitnor. It was deep and spiritual, taking us inward and creating space for transformation. Chandenie Gobardhan choreographed the work on the four dancers in kathak influenced dance. The bodies worked closely sometimes appearing to be one body with four arms and ending the pulsing and writhing in a final huddle.

From France, Saïdo Lehlouh filled the second act with Témoin. A group of around twenty self-taught dancers shared the space, finding occasional unity as well as comfort in diversity. They are each, in essence, a witness (témoin) providing testimony of our times. The moments of lively dance were encouraged with shouts from the audience who were in the mood for more of the moves that shared their party spirit.

In the hour break between the two acts the front of house was taken over by DJ Pogo while, in the small little Lilian Baylis auditorium was an unexpected and seriously important work, SADBOI, performed and choreographed by Simeon ‘Kardinal’ Campbell. Hip-hop is entertainment writ large, but it came from the street and an understanding the hopes and fears of ordinary people.

SADBOI pulled the spotlight onto the problems of being a young man in today’s fraught world. It dealt head on with depression and meltdown as Sim takes us through his thought processes with help of BirdGang. It’s a well-constructed, engaging work told in clear language in just the right setting and needs to be seen by so many more than could squeeze into that small space.

Cheers for Jonzi D for another successful hip hop theatre programme that goes so much further than just entertainment, is so much cheaper than therapy and is full-on great dance.