The Stage

Rumble - Renegade Theatre

Published Tuesday 7 February 2006 at 17:10 by Lucy Wallis

In what could be described as a tale of star-crossed b-boy and b-girl, the German hip-hop company, Renegade Theatre has transformed Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into a tale of gangland warfare.

Combining stunt dancing, hip-hop and contemporary dance, Rumble, which had success at the 2004 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, is set on a stage complete with mobile scaffolding and screens, replicas of inner-city hi-rise flats. Alongside this are scenes of smoky dance halls and graffiti covered street corners.

The score designed by Alexandru Catona, features powerful beatboxing, sampling, saxophone, drums and cello.

The poetry of Shakespeare’s text works well within the context of the violent and vicious street moves and the tale of the two feuding families becomes a clash of rival hip-hop crews. Instead of swords, handstands, locking, popping moves and head spins are used to play out the fight scenes.

The influences of the director and choreographer, Markus Michalowski and Lorca Renoux are evident across this piece of physical theatre as well as producer, Zekai Fenerci who is best described as the Godfather of the German hip-hop scene.

Michalowski spent time with the Cuban state circus and studied mime and many of the movements are staccato capturing the aggression and futility of the story.

Whilst former Pina Bausch dancer, Renoux, was a graffiti artist and b-boy of the Parisian ghetto.

The success of the hi-energy piece is largely due to the dancers whose athletic ability and passion bring the urban drama to life. Sefa Erdik as Romeo literally breaks down on stage by the end of the tragedy. The evening is an exhilarating spectacle to watch.

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