Here/Not Here: new hip-hop drama

Over the past few years, hip-hop has moved up from the streets and conquered theatres through the efforts of DJs such as Jonzi D, the veteran artistic director of Sadler’s Wells' hugely successful annual Breakin’ Convention.

Jonzi D is one of the talents behind the new music drama, Here/Not Here, which returns hip-hop to the streets where it was born. This intriguing work weaves together krump (a specific variety of street dance), football, British Sign Language and Vernacular (an artistic form of sign-language storytelling) into a unique work danced and acted by deaf and hearing performers.

Promo Here/Not Here from Andrew Gillman on Vimeo.

A gritty, very urban take on young lives, Here/Not Here tells a story of the confrontations between three rival groups – Deaf VVers, footballers and krumpers – over who should use an abandoned warehouse.

Eventually, and despite their differences, they find a common language through movement to communicate, collaborate and come together.

Commissioned by the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust, the film was directed by the deaf film-maker Bim Ajadi, who says it is ultimately about being open-minded and accepting different people. It is set to a score by Torben Lars Sylvest.

Here/Not Here premieres on Film4 and Together TV on Monday 11 May at 8am, and will be available to stream on BSL Zone from 8.30am.

A behind-the-scenes documentary, Look Here/Not Here, directed by Andrew Gillman and featuring interviews with Jonzi D, Bim Ajadi and cast members will be released on Monday 18 May, on Film4 and Together TV at 8am, and BSL Zone from 8.30am.