Breakin’ Convention 2026 – review

FRIDAY 1 MAY

Jonzi D, founder and artistic director of Breakin’ Convention, opened the main show with a poem:

“The kinetic friction between surfaces, bodies, and ideologies. Resistance sculpts the movement into textured choreography, infused with my philosophy and so-so sociology” It ends, “We will dance against the tension. Let’s start Breakin’ Convention”.

A perfect introduction to Breakin’ Convention’s International Festival programme at Sadler’s Wells. Now in its 23rd year, the festival includes three days of workshops, showcases, music, and, of course, hip hop dance from the world’s finest.

On day one, the festival opened with Friction. We attended Breakin’ Convention’s development programme Back to the Lab, back in March and loved it. We were warmed up with an energetic exhibition battle by Kingdom’s League. Dancer Jade was a standout  – moves were infused with both a soulful and easy breezy energy.

We recommend that parents do read the festival programme, which highlights that some of the performances have a  PG rating, reflecting the need to enable the work to reflect and respond to the issues manifesting in society today and this was reflected in the lineup.

We enjoyed Kaner Scott’s Don’t be Diggi, wedged between Emma Houston’s layered exploration of identity What Is The Line? infused with what felt like stand-up comedy, bringing some breath to serious topics and Joseph Toonga’s Born to Protest: The Reframe, with an all-women cast, exploring protest as public and personal.

SATURDAY 2 MAY

The Saturday programme of Breakin’ Convention was equally eclectic. From the captivating Compagnia Bellanda’s (Italy)  La Dolche Vita, which had our whole life’s romantic reel go flashing before our eyes, to Gary Clarke’s Bank, which had all the pulsating energy of a party, a hip hop battle, and freestyle with a soundtrack to match. Ill- Abilities (Netherlands/Brazil)) duo floored us with Broken Source.  The pulsating soundtrack, breadth of movement from Redo and Samuka, breaking, backflips, pirouettes, dancing on crutches.  Their performance was captivating, rhythmic and cohesive. Other highlights included a welcome second viewing of the explosive Y.O.U Company’s (UK) ‘It’s Not Who Y.O.U Are’, leading us on an exploration of losing oneself through the perceptions of others in this cinematic, emotive piece, created through Back to the Lab.

SUNDAY 3 MAY

Moments from Sadler’s Wells, there’s a graffiti wall where we took the opportunity to try our hand with spray cans. Highly recommended if you have never dabbled in a bit of graffiti art before. Rightly so, the younger folk were encouraged to take their turns ahead of us elders.  Sadler’s Wells is buzzing with what seems like all the coolest cats in town as we head to the main stage. Jonzi D opens with the obligatory call and response, and we dutifully put our hands in the air like we just don’t care. It’s great to see BSL interpreter Jacqui Beckford in the mix, creating an inclusive space for one and all.

I.M.D Legion’s  (UK) fast-paced, mystical performance Rise of the Elements is a strong start to the evening that sets the tone with their supercharged, Shaolin-inspired experience.

In contrast, a two-hander of mirroring and silhouettes of spotlit male performers who clap, thigh slap and uniquely match each stomp with perfect synchronicity – AS Compagnie (FR) A – locking as you’ve never seen before, barefooted and leaving us, mesmerising and hypnotised.

Let It Happen (NL), Dutch sister trio Norah, Yarah and Rosa gave us life with their R’n’B, hip hop and funk-inspired choreography. Huge fans of James Brown their high energy street dance was to the backdrop of his 1956 track Please, Please, Please, Method Man and Mary J Blige’s You’re All I Need, Wu Tang Clan’s Gravel Pit, SWV’s Rain, Erykah Badu’s  On & On and 2Pac’s Changes.  This selection of iconic 90’s anthems took us down memory lane and gave their performance a warm,  nostalgic glow.

Sam Francis from the Breakin’ Convention Academy was given time on stage to talk about the brilliant work they are doing to support the next generation of hip hop dancers, and that they are ready to welcome the second cohort.

During the interval,  you could enjoy some jerk chicken and rice, or take part in the freestyle dance battles, but we took a trip down memory lane instead and loved watching people of all ages get involved with the Double Dutch. We were way too shy but honestly, it reminded us of the fun we had in the playground  – and the simplicity of being able to do so much with a skipping rope that’s both brilliant exercise but so much fun, too. Does it still happen in playgrounds now? We wonder. We hope.

Ekleido (UK), a fierce and contemporary dance act, easily gets the award for the best drip and fit of the night – thei

Mikee Trice (UK) our interpretation was that this was about conflict and pushing ourselves.

Lanre Malaolu’s performance gave us a deeply emotional lesson in self-love, which left us moved and reflective, which is pretty much on brand if you’ve seen Malaolu’s work before.

The final performance was by fourth-generation Rock Force Crew (USA), winners of the UK B-Boy Championship 2025 – bringing it home with the kind of high-octane hip hop most are used to, and maybe some were waiting for, which was thoroughly enjoyable -taking us back to the old school hip hop of yesteryear – an education.

This was the perfect finale to an incredible, uplifting and inspiring evening and weekend celebrating hip hop dance theatre. If you’ve never experienced Breakin’ Convention then you’re missing out. Vibes upon vibes!

Respect and applause for what Breakin’ Convention continue to do, not just with the yearly festival, but in nurturing the next generation and performers at all stages of their careers. It felt like a truly safe and inclusive space – Jonzi made it clear that Breakin’ Convention is for ‘everyone’ and we felt that.  Caps off to all involved, the artists and creatives too, for continuing to develop, support and platform experimental work in the evolving world of hip hop dance theatre.

NEED TO KNOW:

• Next up is the Breakin’ Convention tour, so if you didn’t catch it at Sadler’s Wells then you can check it out at a UK city near you from 9 May to 6 June.
  Find out more
• Interview with Let It Happen