A festival built on energy, searching for its momentum.
Breakin’ Convention transforms Sadler’s Wells Theatre into a vibrant hub of hip hop culture that pulses through across the building: DJs, graffiti and informal performances blur the boundaries between audience and artis, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to community and artistic exchange.
The Sunday programme, however, felt somewhat condensed and lacked the sustained energy expected of a festival of this scale. While several performances demonstrated clear strength and originality, the overall offering was uneven.
The opening work, IMD Legion’s Rise of the Elements, set a visually striking tone. A central figure in white, surrounded by dancers in black, established a clear visual language that evolved as elemental themes were introduced. Lighting and projection were used with ambition, at times to such an extent that they overtook the choreography itself. The result was compelling to look at, but less physically impactful than it might have been, creating a slight distance between concept and embodiment.
That distance became more pronounced in the transition that followed. AS Compagnie’s quatre trois stripped everything back to its essentials, focusing on the intricacies of locking and rhythm. Precision and control were undeniable, with repetition used as a tool to dissect musical structure. Yet the restraint that defined the piece also limited it. What began as intentional minimalism gradually flattened into something less dynamic, creating a lull in the programme.
It was Let It Happen who shifted the atmosphere most decisively. The Dutch trio delivered a confident and rich performance, combining synchronised sessions with expressive solos across a musical medley of classic hip hop soundtracks. There was a sense of ease and enjoyment that carried into the audience, re-establishing a connection that had momentarily slipped. It marked a turning point, reminding the room of the vitality that breakdance performance can hold.
That momentum, however, proved difficult to sustain. Mikee Trice’s The Weight of Keeping Upright, performed with Elijah Smith was a more introspective piece. Rooted in personal experience, the piece explored themes of endurance and identity through movement and lighting. Although conceptually compelling, the execution felt somewhat contained, preventing the work from reaching its full emotional potential and softening the momentum built beforehand.
ILL-Abilities cut through that restraint with undeniable force. The performance by two differently-abled dancers didn’t just engage, it challenged. Combining strength, adaptability and technical mastery, they expanded the parameters of what breaking can look like. It stood out as a defining moment of the programme, both inspiring and memorable, drawing one of the strongest responses from the audience.
Following the interval, the programme regained a sense of cohesion with Elkeido’s Femina. Incorporating voguing, waacking and club styles, the piece offered a vibrant and confident exploration of femininity. The ensemble’s unity and stage presence in their sparkly uniforms sustained audience engagement, positioning it as one of the more polished and visually compelling works of the second half.
That sense of flow faltered again in Lanre Malaolu’s narrative-driven work. Framed around a dialogue between an adult self and a younger counterpart, the piece aimed to explore identity and reconciliation through a theatrical lens. While the premise held potential, the integration of text and movement lacked clarity, resulting in a diminished emotional impact.
By the time Rock Force Crew took to the stage, the need for renewed energy was palpable. Their performance delivered exactly that: high-intensity breaking and technical skill anticipated from an established company. It provided a satisfying close, grounding the evening once again in the foundational elements of hip hop dance.
Overall, the programme highlighted the breadth and evolution of hip hop, but struggled to maintain a consistent sense of drive. While individual works, particularly those by ILL-Abilities, Let It Happen, Elkeido and Rock Force Crew, demonstrated the festival’s potential at its strongest, the evening as a whole did not fully meet expectations, leaving a sense that greater cohesion and energy could have transformed the evening into something far more compelling.
Breakin’ Convention 2026 at Sadler’s Wells Theatre has now concluded.