During the 1920s and early 30s jazz had all the ubiquity and urban cool of contemporary hip-hop: it made international stars of certain artists and money for a lucky few. It also operated within a white-dominated industry that was far more likely to exploit than nurture its black talent.
All these connections are explored in A Harlem Dream, a hip-hop dance production by Ivan Blackstock. Set in 1932, it tells the story of a jazz double act, Sal and Mo, as they work their way up from Mississippi to the night clubs of Harlem. Once there, ambitious Sal is seduced by the dollars and charisma of evil white impresario Mr Deville. Mo, the innocent unworldly genius, finds no place for himself and fades into silence, leaving Sal with riches but no soul.
In choreographic terms, Blackstock strikes gold with this historical mashup. He and his excellent cast segue from tap, Charleston and lindy into popping and B-boy spins, expertly linking the syncopated rhythms, spins and showboating footwork of two different eras. The conceit continues in the design: the art-deco set is constructed out of speakers; the stage is a catwalk that runs, cabaret style, through the audience.
This is Blackstock’s first full-length production, and he and composer Soweto Kinch sustain the energy at an entertaining high. Yet despite the input of a dramaturg, the underpinning story is weak. Sal (Darren Charles) delivers the basics in a droll, pacey patter that Blackstock embroiders with some classic hip-hop narrative motifs. Certain scenes are fast-forwarded and rewound at high speed (the dance equivalent of a DJ scratching) and there’s the timeworn channelling of zombie horror movies in the mad pale stare and hypnotic hand jives of Mr Deville.
But there’s little sense of evolving character and the plot, simple as it is, remains confusing – progressing in fitful jerks towards a disappointingly limp ending. Blackstock is a serious talent, yet he needs to find himself a better writer if he’s to make the transition from hip hop to dance theatre.
• Until 1 November. Venue: Young Vic, London.
