BY BOB CUMMINS
An enthusiastic, exciting and highly entertaining battle of riotous dancers in a police state. [star rating = 4/5]
A silver bucket and a battery operated drill are all that dress the stage against a backdrop of a cityscape with the signs ‘Under Construction’ and ‘Absolutely No Dancing’.
I’m sitting with my family as we wait for the show to start. Our first show of 2018. Picked by my fair hand from the brief description on the Fringe website. “Champion break dancers each with world titles” – No pressure!
Izzy, our 9-year-old is very excited, and so am I.
There’s a loud bang and some piano, but no one to be seen. Has it started? Izzy and I look at each other, apprehensive and expectant.
Five young lads appear on the stage and break into dance but are soon stopped by a stone faced cop. This is the theme for the rest of the performance. Simple but effective, with so many permutations you really don’t know what is going to happen next.
Break Free had everything from the best display of musical statues I have ever seen, to some amazing live video broadcasting and synchronised dancing – Not to mention the mirrored miming done in heart patterned underpants.
With some mild, and safe, audience participation, amazing facial expressions, superb beatboxing and pretty spectacular dancing, this family friendly performance left us all feeling warm, excited and pleased to have had this as our first Fringe 2018 experience – Oh, and the standing ovation was cool too.
The only part my 9-year-old didn’t like was one song with explicit language, which they did warn us about when we were in the queue. I’m sure another song could be used or bleeped as this show is recommended 5+.
Queue early for good seats near the front and enjoy the hard work Wassabeats from Tokyo, Japan have obviously put in to this, their very first Fringe appearance. and the European premier of Break Free.
