Edinburgh, Pleasance Grand
August 2007

This show was first performed at The Peacock Theatre in February 2006 and reprised by popular demand at the same venue a few months later as a prelude to a full season at the E4 Udderbelly for the 2006 Fringe. This was a sell-out, winning rave reviews and awards. It's back, bigger and, if it's possible, even better than before.

The show is a modern, inner-city revision of Sondheim's Into the Woods, merging (as he did) the fairy tales of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Hansel and Gretel. Only here the characters' names reflect the contemporary urban lifestyles on the Ruff Endz Estate, the tower block in which they all live: so we have Spinderella and Prince; Rap-On-Zel; Lil Red and Wolf, Jaxx (who lives in the Basement, get-it?) and the drug-dealing Giant who inhabits the penthouse. The action revolves around two lost kids (Russell Royer and Alicia Lai) who open the show on film, running away from school. They encounter the evil Landlord who promises to help them find their way home if the children steal a gold trainer, a red hoodie, a blonde hair extension and a white i-pod as presents for his daughter's imminent 18th birthday.

Kate Prince's credits as director/choreographer encompass just about every TV music show and station imaginable (from CD:UK to Top of the Pops; MTV to the Ministry of Mayhem) plus dance backing for Strictly Dance Fever and acts as diverse as McFly, Misteeq and Will Young. The product of all this experience is a fast-paced and tightly co-ordinated show with synchronised ensemble movement harmonies that are brilliantly delivered. It's a bit trite to categorise the dance as hip-hop or breakdance, because it's these and much more besides. The choreography is as eclectic as the soundtrack, which ranges from disco to jive; from the Pink Panther theme to Prince; Mission Impossible to the Bee Gees. The diversity is breathtaking, racing from Charleston Steps to B-Boy head spinning and includes a hilarious slow motion kung-fu fight sequence where Jaxx defeats the evil Giant.

The tight control is, of course, only possible with a core entourage of great dancers who know and trust each other well and this is a solid crew, possessing extreme skills, none more than in the B-boy dancing of Rowen Hawkins (Jaxx) and the slinky rhythms of Teneisha Bonner (Spinderella). There's also plenty of humour, especially with Frank Wilson's portrayal of the Landlord and an uncredited perky performance from a tiny little star as Fairy Gee.

This show is slick, thrilling, fun; more theatrical than last year and selling out an even bigger venue: if you go Into the Hoods today - or any day this month, or year - you're sure of a big success.

Graham Watts