GUN crime is an increasing issue on our city streets and one Sheffield dancer has interpreted her own thoughts on gang gun culture to create an acclaimed hip hop production called Routes.
Routes observes the social context of crew culture and fatal street crime. It's all about the fragility of witnesses witholding information and the effect of their actions explored through hip hop dance, spoken word and music, set to a soundtrack played live by DJ Risco.
Artistic director of Hype Dance, based above Sheffield's Leadmill, Anna Olejnicki is one of the few emerging female choreographers to bring hip hop dance theatre to the stage.
She began her professional career over 15 years ago.
Recently Anna, who was brought up in Doncaster, was awarded a Lisa Ullman travel scholarship to undertake professional development in Germany.
What do you think? Post your comments below.She is also a member of the steering committee for the dance strategy in Sheffield.
"Routes was inspired after I saw Crimewatch in 2006," said Anna. "There had been a murder in London of a young boy called Junior Ogie. His sister and mother were making an appeal for witnesses to the shooting to come forward. This got me thinking about why someone would hold back from telling the truth, and what would drive them to stand up for something so so wrong."
All Hype dancers are regionally based and the company tours its performances to schools, colleges and youth groups across the region.
Routes will be performed in Sheffield at the Crucible Theatre on April 11 and 12 at 7.45pm.
The performance moves to Barnsley's Lamproom Theatre on April 17 at 7.30pm, and Rotherham Arts Centre on May 1 at 7.45pm. Tickets are available from all venues as well as from Hype on 0114 270 6757.
For more information visit
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