Hip-Hop Dance Theatre in London::Legitimising an Art Form

Programming schedules in the West End and other prominent London venues are increasingly featuring hip-hop dance productions, marking innovative forays into the mainstream performance field by a former subcultural style. Choreography by Rennie Harris in the USA and Jonzi D, Kate Prince, Sandy ‘H20’ Kendrick and composer Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante in London offers material through which to consider developments in the theatricalisation of hip hop culture. Discussion also centres on mass media dissemination through television talent shows, films and cultural festivals such as the Olympic Games ceremonies. Analysis of reviews by professional critics reveals how some stereotypes are disrupted as the cultural capital of hip-hop dance rises. Key themes, including the use of narrative, characterisation and the disruption of dominant gender expectations, are drawn from a Society for Dance Research Study Day on ZooNation Dance Company in 2011. * </jats:p