Soweto Skeleton Movers x Lloydscompany: UNBREAKABLE 2024 (teaser)

Unbreakable is a collaboration between Rotterdam choreographer Lloyd Marengo, London theatre director Jonzi D and the five explosively energetic dancers of Soweto Skeleton Movers.

In a combination of heartfelt play, lively African dance styles, humor and impressive visuals, the Soweto Skeleton Movers from Johannesburg tell their personal life stories. Despite many setbacks and bad temptations that cross their path, these dancers are “unbreakable”.

The audience is taken into an overwhelming mix of vocals, street scenes, compelling visuals and ‘skeleton pantsula’; a mix of traditional South African street dance (Pantsula) and a style called “bone breaking”. All this supported by a soundtrack with melodic Afrohouse tunes and pumping Amapiano beats. Welcome to Soweto!

Soweto Skeleton Movers have long outgrown their humble status as street performers and perform worldwide. The dancers had their big break in 2016 in Sadler’s Wells Theater during the international hiphopfestival Breakin’ Convention in London, after Jonzi D “discovered” them dancing in Soweto. Their style, officially speaking, is that of the Pantsula, an African dance style best known for amazing acrobatic footwork. Pantsula is an energetic dance that originated in the South African “townships” in the 1950s and represents a specific way of life and clothing style.

Lloydscompany is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The company produces performances and builds a bridge between the street and the stage. Founder Lloyd Marengo grew up in the raw Rotterdam of the 1980s and learned to dance in the street. In the 1990s, his hangout in Rotterdam West became the epicentre of hip-hop. Lloyd caused a furore with 010 B-boys who achieved worldwide success and put Rotterdam hip hop and street culture on the map. Lloyd is one of the founders of the Hiphophuis Rotterdam, worked with Scapino Ballet and Conny Janssen Danst, among others. His piece “Tagg” was the first Dutch work shown at Breakin’ Convention in London. Since the start of his own company Lloyd directed Father Figure with 4 b-boys and a multi-instrumentalist and his very first play for Children -consisting of 2 popping dancers and a beatboxer – Sribi Switi. September 2022 Lloyd received the prestigious award “Golden Swan” as a recognition of his choreographic work and his contribution to the Dutch dance scene.

* music in this video by producer Fisto Fisto (Molefi Rakitla)

Cast: Topollo Ntulo, Jabulani Manyoni, Junior Hlongwane, Molefi Rakitla, Lerato Motsepe (South Africa)
Choreography: Lloyd Marengo and the Dancers
Directed by: Jonzi D
Age: 12+
Playing period: October/November 2024

www.lloydscompany.nl