Zoonation’s Some Like It Hip Hop is back.
Before the curtains rise, the audience are warned that this is a hip hop show, which means that you can make as much noise as they like, and make noise they do: the piece had the crowd whooping, whistling, and attempting to perform breakneck pops & locks in their seats. Our third review of this dance phenomenon that first stormed the Peacock’s stage in 2011 stays true to its predecessors: Some Like It Hip Hop is fun, loud, and everything its jaunty title suggests.
There are, however, a few points to consider before you grab that ticket. One, this piece isn’t for those who enjoy good plots, dialogue or interesting turns of event; the story is told exclusively by the narrator/beatboxer who happens to speak only in rhyme, there is no dialogue but mime, and the story is predictable and so a little boring. Two, if you don’t like songs a la High School Musical or Hairspray then you’ll find it difficult to get through these two and a half hours. And three, the music of this piece is inspired (obviously) by hip hop and pop, and has a certain tinny, Muzak-y quality; it's very, very loud and quite unavoidable, so don't go if your tastes are for well-produced tunes.
Points aside though, the talent of the cast is undeniable, the choreography clever, and the energy and smiles of the dancers abundant, with the ensemble pieces being the highlight of the show. If you enjoyed watching these dancers in their other work such as X-Factor and So You Think You Can Dance then this is definitely for you, and the audience reactions certainly confirmed the blockbuster status of this hit dance show third time round.
Some Like It Hip Hop is running now at the Peacock Theatre, Holborn, until 30 June. For more information visit http://www.sadlerswells.com/. We saw this show on a complimentary press ticket.
