Press Release: Breaking world champions The Ruggeds presents Between Us at the Peacock Theatre, 15-18 Sept 2021

[Jan McNulty]

Breakin’ Convention Presents 
The Ruggeds: Between Us 
Peacock Theatre, WC2A 2HT 
Wednesday 15 - Saturday 18 September 2021 
Tickets: £18 - £40 
Ticket Office: www.sadlerswells.com 
 
Celebrating the most innovative and inspirational artists working in hip hop today, Breakin’ Convention Presents showcases breaking world champions The Ruggeds from Wednesday 15 - Saturday 18 September. The company, from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, brings explosive tricks to the Peacock Theatre with the UK premiere of Between Us. The work was originally set to be presented in July 2020, before the world transcended into lockdown. 
 
Holding more than 50 international breaking titles as soloists and a crew, childhood best friends The Ruggeds have been making noise in the breaking scene for over 15 years, travelling the world for performances and battles. Highly skilled, athletic and known for their pursuit of new and unusual moves, they epitomise the spirit and energy of breaking. Through becoming their own kind of family formed by trust and shared experiences, their second work Between Us invites audiences into their home to discover what makes them tick. Comprising technical solos, duets and contagiously energetic group work, the ties that bind this risk-taking crew together are unravelled. 

 

The Ruggeds made their Breakin’ Convention debut in 2015 with Adrenaline, touring the US before the UK and Luxembourg. From featuring as contestants on NBC’s World of Dance Season 2 to performing alongside Justin Bieber in music video Where Are U Now, their unique dynamism has won worldwide recognition, providing them with opportunities to collaborate with world-famous stars including Madonna and Rita Ora. With an impressive list of breaking accolades, company members and b-boys Lee, Stepper, Tawfiq, Zoopreme and Lagaet are preparing for the Olympic Games in 2024.  

 

Breakin’ Convention’s alternative performance platform Breakin’ Convention Presents has been presenting feature-length works since 2018. Best known for its flagship annual festival, the Breakin’ Convention year-round programme aims to grow the UK’s development of hip hop theatre. It encompasses professional development initiatives such as Back to the Lab, a two-week training and mentorship initiative leading to performance; and a broad education programme. 

NOTES TO EDITORS 

About Sadler’s Wells 
Sadler's Wells is a world-leading dance organisation. We make and share dance that inspires us all. Our acclaimed year-round programme spans dance of every kind, from contemporary to flamenco, Bollywood to ballet, salsa to street dance and tango to tap. 

We commission, produce and present more dance than any other organisation in the world. Since 2005, we have helped to bring close to 200 new dance works to the stage, embracing both the popular and the unknown. 

 

Each year, over half a million people visit our three London theatres. Many more attend our touring productions nationally and internationally or explore our digital platforms, including Sadler’s Wells Digital Stage.  

 

In 2023 we’re opening a fourth London venue in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to sit alongside our Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Lilian Baylis Studio and Peacock Theatre. Sadler’s Wells’ new space will house a 550-seat mid-scale theatre, as well as facilities for a choreographic centre and a hip hop theatre academy.  

 

Supporting artists is at the heart of our work. We have associate artists and companies, which nurture some of the most exciting talent working in dance today. We host the National Youth Dance Company, which draws together some of the brightest young dancers from across the country. Sadler’s Wells Breakin' Convention runs professional development programmes to champion and develop the world’s best hip hop artists, as well as producing, programming and touring groundbreaking hip hop performances.  

 

Around 30,000 people take part in our learning and engagement programmes every year. We support schools local to our theatres in Islington and Stratford, designing experiences for children and young people to watch, explore and critically engage with the arts. We also run Company of Elders, a resident performance company of dancers aged over 60 who rehearse with renowned artists to make new work for public performances locally, nationally and internationally. 

 

Sadler’s Wells is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.  

www.sadlerswells.com 

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About Breakin’ Convention 
Breakin' Convention represents the origins and evolution of hip hop culture from around the world and around the corner. Through its international festivals and tours and professional development programme, Breakin' Convention is at the vanguard of the global development of hip hop theatre artists. 

 

Supporting the artistic vision, hip hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D founded Breakin’ Convention, supported by Sadler’s Wells in 2004. Breakin’ Convention is now part of Sadler’s Wells and produces its annual festival there. Since its inception, Breakin’ Convention has been pivotal to the development of the global hip hop theatre scene, touring nationally since 2007 and internationally since 2013. Breakin’ Convention has now reached live audiences of over 100,000. 

 

Breakin’ Convention is committed to the development of hip hop theatre artists by providing a variety of participatory opportunities. These include professional development programmes for choreographers, dancers and emcees, projects for young people and educational activities in schools as well as bespoke special events. 

www.breakinconvention.com 

Breakin’ Convention social media handles:  
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Twitter: @BConvention 
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