At first glance, 17th century theatre and Hip Hop culture seem worlds apart.
With Nell Gwynn arriving at Shakespeare North Playhouse this June, we found ourselves thinking about something unexpected at Powered by Hip Hop: the similarities between Restoration theatre culture and the rise of Hip Hop dance and Breaking culture.
One belongs to the world of kings, theatres and royal courts. The other emerged centuries later through DJing, MCing, graffiti art, Breaking and Hip Hop dance in the streets, parks and community spaces of New York City.
But when you look a little deeper, there are actually some powerful similarities between the story of Nell Gwyn and the rise of Hip Hop culture itself.
And with Prescot preparing to host this major theatre production, it feels like a good moment to reflect on how performance culture has always helped ordinary people find their voice.
Who actually was Nell Gwyn?
Nell Gwyn was one of the most famous actresses of Restoration England during the 1600s. She rose from poverty in London to become a celebrated theatre performer and eventually the companion of Charles II.
Before acting, she reportedly sold oranges around theatre venues before gradually becoming part of the performance world herself. At a time when theatres had only recently reopened after years of closure, Nell became one of England’s first celebrity actresses and a hugely recognisable public figure.
Artwork by Shakespeare North Playhouse for the upcoming production of Nell Gwynn.
What made her story different was that she wasn’t born into wealth or privilege. She entered culture from the outside.
That idea feels strangely familiar to anyone connected to Hip Hop culture.
FROM OUTSIDER CULTURE TO MAINSTREAM CULTURE
One of the biggest similarities between Nell Gwyn’s world and Hip Hop culture is how both began outside traditional power structures.
Early theatre culture was often looked down on. It was loud, public, chaotic and connected to working-class audiences. Some people viewed actors and performers as disruptive or unserious.
Hip Hop culture experienced many of the same attitudes centuries later.
Breaking, graffiti art, DJing and rap music were often dismissed as “street culture” rather than recognised as legitimate art forms. Young people learned and practised in parks, youth clubs, playgrounds and community spaces long before Hip Hop became a global cultural movement.
Today, Breaking is part of the Youth Olympics and can be seen everywhere from music videos and theatre productions to competitions, festivals, adverts and major international events.
What once existed on the outside of mainstream culture is now recognised worldwide.
Breaking battles and Hip Hop events are now held everywhere from theatres and festivals to civic venues such as St Helens Town Hall.
HIP HOP DANCE, PERFORMANCE AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Another thing that connects both worlds is audience energy.
Restoration theatre culture was not quiet and formal in the way some people imagine theatre today. Crowds reacted loudly, performers interacted directly with audiences and the atmosphere was much more alive and social.
That same energy exists inside Hip Hop dance and Breaking culture.
Whether it is a Breaking cypher, dance battle, live performance or community jam, Hip Hop has always been built around participation and connection between performers and audiences.
At Powered by Hip Hop, we see this regularly in classes and events across St Helens and nearby Prescot.
Young people often arrive nervous or unsure of themselves, but performance culture has a way of building confidence, identity and belonging over time. That same transformational power has existed in theatre, dance and music cultures for centuries.
Young people taking part in Hip Hop dance and Breaking classes with Powered by Hip Hop
WHY THIS MATTERS IN PRESCOT
The arrival of Nell Gwynn at Shakespeare North Playhouse also highlights something important about Prescot itself.
Places like Prescot and St Helens have long histories of community performance, local creativity and cultural participation. While Hip Hop dance and Breaking may seem modern, the deeper idea of people gathering around music, movement, storytelling and performance is much older.
That is one reason why the connection between Hip Hop culture and theatre does not feel forced to us at PBHH. Both are rooted in people expressing themselves publicly, creatively and collectively.
In many ways, Hip Hop dance continues a tradition that theatres helped shape centuries ago:
- Movement
- Storytelling
- Rhythm
- Audience interaction
- Identity
- Community
The tools may change, but the human need behind them remains very similar.
Promotional artwork by Shakespeare North Playhouse for Nell Gwynn.
HIP HOP CULTURE IN PRESCOT AND ST HELENS
As Hip Hop culture continues to grow across Prescot and St Helens, these art forms must be seen as more than trends or hobbies.
Breaking, Hip Hop dance, graffiti art and DJ culture all carry history, heritage and community value. They create spaces where young people can connect, express themselves and build confidence through movement and creativity.
That is part of the reason why we found the story of Nell Gwyn so interesting.
Her journey reminds us that many art forms that are now celebrated once started on the outside. Theatre itself had to earn cultural legitimacy over time — just like Hip Hop did.
FINAL THOUGHTS
For anyone visiting Shakespeare North Playhouse to watch Nell Gwynn this June, it may be worth thinking about the bigger cultural story underneath the play.
Not just the story of one woman, but the story of how performance culture evolves.
How outsider voices slowly move into the spotlight.
And how communities continue shaping culture from the ground up.
From Restoration theatre to Hip Hop dance and Breaking, the journey is perhaps not as different as it first appears.
If you enjoyed this article or the themes explored in the show, more young people and adults across Prescot and St Helens are now discovering Hip Hop dance and Breaking through local workshops, performances and classes.
At Powered by Hip Hop, we continue supporting young people and communities through Hip Hop culture, creative movement and performance-based learning across the local area.
Please message us, if you have any questions about our workshops, projects and classes.
For more details or any updates, keep an eye on our social channels.