Into the Hoods

This adaptation of Into the Woods transports the audience into the world of the Ruff Endz Estate, populated by characters such as Rap-On-Zell, Spindarella, and the skateboarding hero Jaxx – who naturally lives in the basement. In this modern mix of fairy tale and urban culture – a sell-out at previous festivals – two school children find themselves lost in Ruff Endz and enlist the help of a Rastafarian landlord to find their way home.

The production tells the tale through a combination of a reassuring CBBC style voiceover and suitably grainy video footage of the urban estate. The rare pieces of dialogue are pre-recorded and delivered in the cut-up style of a hip-hop dj, providing a comic accompaniment to well-choreographed dancing.

Hip-hop, soul and funk classics make up the musical score but the constant chopping up of songs and genres in the space of seconds is something of a distraction. At moments, such as the hilarious battle between Jaxx and the drug-dealing Giant, music and choreography combine brilliantly. At others, however, the performance lacks vibrancy.

Zoonation’s production may not have the technical virtuosity of other dance groups at the Fringe, but it successfully adapts street dance for the stage, producing a modern fairy tale that guarantees comic entertainment for the whole family. Whilst never looking like it might fly over the moon, Into the Hoods is definitely no Humpty Dumpty.