Formed in 2007, ILL-Abilities is an International and intergenerational Breakdance Crew founded by Luca “Lazylegz” Patuelli (Canada). Five members of this crew: Samuel Henrique “Samuka” da Silveira Lima (Brazil), Lucas “Perninha” Machado (Brazil), Jung Soo “Krops” Lee (South Korea), Jacob “Kujo” Lyons (U.S.A),  plus Patuelli performed on an outdoor stage at Aotea square as part of the Auckland Arts Festival.  After some delay due to sound equipment getting wet from the rain previously, the show began with the very personable Patuelli introducing the format and setting the context for this show.  He introduced us to their motto NO EXCUSES NO LIMITS which underpins all they do with the belief that anything is possible -striving towards the limitless possibilities each person has.  

Right from the outset they encouraged audience engagement with us responding to Patuelli’s call of  NO EXCUSES  with NO LIMITS. A clever device from the outset meant we were hooked in with anticipation of when we would-be able to respond again.

In turn each dancer comes forward into the spotlight to tell their personal story, followed by their distinctive solo break dance. Each dancer has evolved their own unique style rooted in their own distinctive body movement possibilities. Their personal stories are inspiring, and their solos are a series of dynamic breakdance moves. They balance on one hand, two hands, elbows, crutches, heads, shoulders and often spin out of these poses with electrifying speed. They move sinuously along and in and out of the floor. The usual canon of break dance moves – flipping, rolling, body rippling, twisting one way and the next, knotting the legs and unknotting them, body balances parallel to the floor are present but with a distinctive stylistic twist from each performer. Each solo seems to begin with a slow sustained powerful quality of movement, the beat drops and the dancer explodes into high energy, dynamic breakdance moves. There are short duets which act as transitions between solos and finally all dancers are present seamless moving, from solo to trio, quartet, or duet and one verse the groups formations. This is very satisfying to watch and captures each dancer’s idiosyncratic breakdance style.   

This show is cleverly structured and seamlessly blends the personal stories with break dancing, dj ing (by krops also a dancer)  and music coupled with samples of popular music (I like to move it ). We instantly recognised these and began dancing in our seats.ILL Abilities entertained us, made us laugh and dance and I could not help marvelling at their superb breakdance skills and inspiring messages. There was NO EXCUSES NO LIMITS to this action-packed show.  

Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer