A Night With Boy Blue: Generation Blue Review 5*
A Night With Boy Blue: Generation Blue showcased the power and influence of hip hop across the UK
A Night With Boy Blue – Generation Blue was a joyous show, proof, if proof were needed, of just how far this hip hop company has come since its foundation in East London almost 25 years ago by composer Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante and choreographer Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy.
It’s grown from a small performing troupe of skilled dancers that dragged hip hop from the street to the stage to a nationwide movement that has touched the lives of literally thousands of youngsters with its motto, “education, entertainment, inspiration.”
Close on 200 of those youngsters aged five upwards descended on the Barbican theatre for two stage performances, as part of of weekend of events aimed at spotlighting the next generation of hip hop dancers.
At almost three hours, this show never flagged, its 18 numbers bringing a mind-boggling variety and range of interpretations to basic hip hop. And, of course, they brought enough energy to power a skyscraper from the youngest pint-size movers all the way to dancers in their late teens. All colours, all origins, all manner of body shapes – and all in perfect harmony.
Amiably compered by actor and TV presenter Ashley J – Kenrick’s first ever dance student, as he was proud to announce – A Night With Boy Blue: Generation Blue was a thoroughly professional production, large groups taking to the stage in turn in a smooth flow of bodies in movement.
A word of praise, too, for Clancy Flynn’s remarkably varied and atmospheric lighting.
The Five opened the evening with a medley of Kenrick pieces from the past 10 years, that included everything from breakin’ to robotics, b-boying, krumping and more besides. The look was grungy, the commitment total. Every so often small groups peeled off from the impeccably synchronised ensemble to do their own thing. There was room, too, for impressive displays of individual prowess.
I always look forward to the arrival of the little ones, and I didn’t have long to wait before the Mini Bluez took to the stage accompanied by the older minders of Sky Blue.
A Night With Boy Blue: Generation Blue. Photo: Alex Ferrelly
There is something so exhilarating and heart-warming about the conviction the children bring to their moves, some barely there, some already showing exceptional talent.
There was a guest performance from students of Glasgow’s Dance Inc Studio Centre, one of the schools where Boy Blue’s work “Emancipation of Expressionism” is part of the GCSE curriculum.
In bright, colourful costumes, they performed a Kenrick choreography set to a jaunty jazz score, proving that hip hop can adapt to different kinds of music. Later in the show, the soundtrack was rap and later still Jamaican songs of resistance.
It can absorb, too, different kinds of movement, as shown in The Dojo, a vigorous piece based on the chopping and kicking of martial arts.
Word count prevents me making individual mention of all 18 numbers, though every single one would deserve it. But I couldn’t end without a mention to Boy Blue’s indefatigable work to give young people self-respect and “the tools they need to negotiate their lives, upholding quality, understanding and knowledge”, in the words of Kenrick Sandy.
© Teresa Guerreiro
(Banner image credit: A Night With Boy Blue: Generation Blue. Photo: Alex Ferrelly)
A NIght With Boy Blue: Generation Blue was at the Barbican Theatre 10 – 11 May 2025, as part of a weekend takeover, celebrating the future generation of hip hop.