Tyne Theatre & Opera House is getting ready to welcome Breakin’ Convention Tour 2026 to Newcastle – bringing an electrifying celebration of hip hop dance theatre, culture and creativity.

More than just a performance, this is an event that will fill the venue with energy from the moment audiences arrive, with live activity in the foyer and an exciting line-up of artists on stage.

 

What is Breakin’ Convention?

Founded at Sadler’s Wells and led by Jonzi D, Breakin’ Convention is the ground-breaking festival of hip hop dance theatre.

Bringing together artists from around the world, and around the corner, the festival celebrates hip hop through dance, music, storytelling, and culture.

Breakin’ Convention is the critically acclaimed powerhouse behind an international hip hop theatre revolution which has been pulling down barriers since 2004.

 

What can audiences expect from the event?

The show itself is a high-energy evening of world-class performances, starring the Olivier Award-winning TRAPLORD by Ivan Michael Blackstock, the internationally celebrated female trio Femme Fatale, and members of the trailblazing ILL-ABILITIES.

Alongside these globally recognised names, Breakin’ Convention will provide local talent with an incredible opportunity to perform for a local audience.

Local talents Gribz, Dance Jam and Da Litehouse will take the stage of our Grade I listed venue for a performance where contemporary and traditional arts merge.

 

See the whole venue come alive

In true Breakin’ Convention style, Tyne Theatre & Opera House will be taken over for an immersive celebration of local and international hip hop culture before the curtain even rises.

From 5:30pm, you’ll find graffiti artists creating live in our 1867 Café Bar window, and freestyle dance sessions in the 1867 Hall with a Cypher and DJ, with more to be announced soon.

The pre-show festival gives our local community a chance to experience and explore hip hop culture in an open, accessible and interactive way.

 

Tyne Theatre x Breakin’ Convention: why here, why now?

Breakin’ Convention champions hip hop as a serious, innovative artform, creating space for voices, stories and styles that aren’t always centred in traditional theatre spaces.

It connects communities through creativity, identity, and expression while celebrating both internationally recognised artists and fresh local talent.

Tour Producer, Lisa Parkes, says Newcastle and Breakin’ Convention have always been a great fit:

“There’s a strong cultural pulse in the city, and over the years we’ve built real connections with audiences here. There’s an openness to Newcastle crowds – people show up, they’re present, and they connect with the honesty of the work.

“Bringing Breakin’ Convention back in 2026 felt like a no brainer and when we were looking for a theatre to partner with, the Tyne Theatre & Opera House stood out.

“It’s a venue with real history and character, and that matters to us – because hip hop has its own deep roots and stories, and it deserves to sit in spaces that carry that same sense of legacy.”

 

Why it matters to Tyne Theatre & Opera House

With a vibrant, community-led history, our venue prides itself on being ‘The Theatre for Everyone’.

CEO of Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Jonathan Higgins, said:

“Our goal as a major venue within our incredibly vibrant, diverse city is to provide an events schedule for audiences – local and further afield – which spans a wide range of genres, breaking down barriers and giving everyone a chance to experience the magic of theatre.

“We are committed to bringing diverse, high-quality productions to Newcastle, and understand the importance of welcoming new audiences into the venue – our community is what keeps our venue alive.

“Breakin’ Convention allows the theatre to celebrate contemporary culture alongside our rich heritage. Our partnership supports work that is bold, relevant and rooted in community connection.”

 

Why it matters to the local area

Breakin’ Convention gives the local community of Newcastle and surrounding areas access to internationally recognised work without needing to travel.

For our local talent, the show is an incredible opportunity to perform alongside internationally recognised acts.

This festival is a celebration of hip hop in our region, specifically, and a chance for local audiences, young people, dancers and creatives to feel represented and inspired.

Breakin’ Convention Newcastle Rep and Bad Taste Cru member, Rob Anderson, explains:

“Breakin’ Convention has always brought high quality, Hip-Hop based performance and artistry to Newcastle, and as a young artist I had my first professional performance experience because of their platform.

“BC offers a space where pro/international artistry shares the stage with grass roots, home grown talent and respects them equally, creating a unique performance experience for performers and audiences.”

We hope that Breakin’ Convention at Tyne Theatre & Opera House serves as a reminder that Newcastle is part of important national and international cultural conversations, and a key player in shaping the UK’s hip hop culture.

Co-rep and Bad Taste Cru member, Paul Martin, adds:

“I hope new audiences can truly connect with the work and feel the artistry, power, skill, and passion of the dancers.

“I also hope that emerging dancers feel a sense of pride in themselves and are inspired to keep growing, pushing their boundaries, and reaching new heights, and that it brings people together.”

 

Want to get involved?

Whether you’re a long-time fan of hip hop culture or discovering Breakin’ Convention for the first time, this promises to be an unforgettable night at Tyne Theatre & Opera House.

Want to come along?

The pre-show festival will be free to attend, but tickets are compulsory for the evening performance. You can book your seats here.

To keep up to date with the latest updates and announcements ahead of the festival, make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. You can also sign up for our email newsletter.

Want to see what the acts are about? You can find galleries of images and trailers for their work on our Breakin’ Convention show page, as well as their social media links.