Breaking Tradition, together with the BBC Radio 2 award-winning folk powerhouse The Demon Barbers, presents The Lock In: an hour-long dance-off combining hip-hop and folk, and accompanied by cheerful live music.
The opening sequence features three young hip hoppers hastily entering an old English pub, clearly trying to escape the sound of threatening police sirens. In the pub they are met by its folkie regulars and from that moment onwards the intensity rises as ever increasing numbers of characters enter the stage. When one of the hip hoppers tries to impress a girl sitting by one of the tables, he sparks an intense dance-off between the three newcomers and the rest. As this late-night drinking session develops, the audience is introduced to a wonderful clash of cultures, combining breakdance, morris dancing, hip hop, tap dance and folk music in a joyful mix of the traditional and the alternative.
This is a show characterized by contrasts, not only through the variety of dancing styles carried out on stage but also when it comes to the musical elements of the performance. The Demon Barbers’ energetic folk music beautifully contrasts the impressive beat boxing performance carried out at different times throughout the show, a sounds that manages to compliment both the breakdance and the tap dancing.
The highlights of the performance are many, but particular mention should be made of a truly impressive pool cue longsword dancing sequence and the grand finale itself, in which all of the performers are allowed to shine in their chosen style, increasing the energy levels from intense to ecstatic. Throw in a cleaner and part-time drummer in a rather unflattering drag costume, and any comic desires the audience may have had are also satisfied.
The Lock In offers the audience a wonderful mix of dance and music, all combined to make a highly enjoyable and energetic show filled with warmth and skillful precision.
