Artists line-up

Breakin’ Convention 2020 features a line-up of some of the world’s best dance from around the world and around the corner.

You can watch all performances for free with your Breakin’ Convention ticket for that day. Studio Theatre tickets may be purchased individually without a festival ticket on the day from Ticket Office.

 
 
 

A.I.M Collective (UK) – My London

An all-female collective of strong female poppers who hit hard, led by Shawn Aimey of Plague and Fiyahouse.

Performing Saturday 2 May

Atypical With Attitude (UK) – Blinded

Making their Breakin’ Convention debut with a piece about unity and friendship - blindfolds are used to express feelings of isolation and loneliness as the group work together to find commonality.

Performing Saturday 2 May

BirdGang Dance Company (UK) - Flock

In 2008, BirdGang Dance Company appeared out of nothing, onto the Breakin’ Convention stage. This year they return with some tricks up their sleeves! Illusionist Ali Cook joins the company to create some magic.

Performing Saturday 2 May

Compagnie Niya (France) - Gueules Noires

Gueules Noire is an epic, stunningly realised performance about the coal mining community in the north of France. Choreographer Rachid Hedli pays a heartfelt tribute to the migrant workers of the The Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin including his father. Retracing life in the mines, Cie Niya’s superior breaking and popping skills present images of solidarity, struggle and fraternity. A UK premiere.

Performing Saturday 2 May

Corpo Máquina (Netherlands) - Evolution

Two b-boys, framed by rows of fluorescent lights, gradually begin to negotiate the silent space in unison. As the piece develops, the dancers trade steps, increasing the technicality and complexity of each move. The lights and sound reflect the intensity of the engagement. This is a cool, conceptual piece featuring members of Dutch b-boy crew Hustlekidz. A UK premiere.

Performing Sunday 3 May

D1 (Peru) - Imagine Peru

Straight from Peru comes this dynamic and passionate crew of 12 multi skilled dancers. Winners of the hip hop choreography category at Pura Calle hip hop festival in Lima, D1 present Imagine Peru, snapshot of life, and death from the perspective of two young Peruvians. D1 create work that is a fusion of hip hop, breaking, krump, contemporary and traditional Peruvian dance styles. The first ever crew from Peru at Breakin' Convention.

Performing Saturday 2 May

Fuse 596 (International)

We welcome back this energising, fun, feel-good-factor-10 crew of house dancers. Led by Japanese choreographer Tomo Norimaki, Fuse 596 will spread positive vibes throughout Sadler’s Wells.

Performing Sunday 3 May

Géométrie Variable (France) – Labora

Infinite angles and variables meet cause and effect from this stylistique French company exploring the popping technique of tutting with a style resembling the inner mechanics of a timepiece. Simple black shirt with rolled up sleeves bring focus to the forearm. Angular gestures, slot, slide, fold and open to reveal a myriad of 2D shapes. Like a swan paddling under calm waters, the dancers’ bodies reveal the intricacies and engine behind the kaleidoscopic end result.

Performing Sunday 3 May and on our UK tour

Jinjo Crew (South Korea)

Reigning Battle of the Year World Champions Jinjo Crew bring an astounding showcase of elite level breaking, acrobatics and Korean culture.

Performing Sunday 3 May and on our UK tour

Lucy M. May & 7Starr (Canada) - Amina/Darkroom

Montréal-based krump dancer 7Starr and choreographer Lucy M May collaborate to create an intense deconstruction of his multiple krump personas. Using comedic text, explosive stomps and mode-switching arm swings, we are taken on a trip through the mind of 7Starr.

Performing Saturday 2 May & Sunday 3 May

Paradox Sal (France) – Queen Blood

Excellent house dance from this awe-inspiring all-female crew from Paris. The choreography from Wanted Posse’s Babson inspires a variety of moods and emotional states. Music ranges from pumping house beats to Nina Simone, as Paradox Sal perform with grace, fluidity and power.

Performing Saturday 2 May & Sunday 3 May

Prospects Fraternity (UK)

A large street dance crew based in south London have created something bespoke for Breakin’ Convention touching on themes to do with peer pressure and empowerment.

Performing Saturday 2 May

Spoken Movement (UK) - Family Honour

A priest and his daughter sit face to face, the Family Honour is at stake. Using popping and tutting to illustrate an intense discussion, artistic director Kwame Asafo-Adjei and Catrina Nisbett perform a psychologically potent duet that explores religious and cultural taboos in a Ghanaian family. Winner of numerous international choreography awards including Dance Elargie.

Performing Sunday 3 May and on our UK tour

W.A.R (We Ain’t Regular) (UK)

Spearheaded by Nathaniel Williams and hot off the Glastonbury main stage after performing alongside Stormzy, W.A.R will be bringing gully London energy to the Sadler’s stage.

Performing Sunday 3 May

Yeah Yellow (France) - Dos au Mur

Accompanied by live musicians, audiences may remember this crew from the Breakin’ Convention 2017 US tour, and from their performance at Sadler’s Wells Sampled in 2018. In duet Dos au Mur (Back to the Wall), hip hop dance combines aesthetics to reflect on a time in which humanity builds the world around it.

Performing Sunday 3 May