Into the Hoods begins very late due to 'technical difficulties' with the show before - the cast themselves came out to apologise.

The video on the screen starts off silent, but eventually the backing music kicks in. The scenes are bulling, between the children and including adults. The screen turns to 'once upon a time', and the story commences - the children ran away for freedom, and got lost in the hood. Faceless dancers make a baffling scenery, increasing in numbers and into pairs. A man walks down the screen above, conducting the dancers, as the kids return. The man steps through the screen, and gives the kids lollys. He - the Landlord (Frank Wilson) - takes them to his tower block. There, the on-screen-book introduces various characters, who dance in front. These are would-be DJ Spinderella (Teneisha Bonner), D-list celeb Prince (Roger Davies), lyrical songstress Lil Red (Monique Robert), money-obsessed Wolf (Andry Oporia), wannabe MC Rap-an-zel (Danielle Lecointe), the mysterious Giant (Jeffrey Felicisimo) in the penthouse, and the record producer in the basement, Jaxx (Rowen Hawkins).

Rap-an-zel is the Landlord's daughter. He allows the children to stay if they find certain gifts for her 18th birthday - an iPod white as milk, a hoodie red as blood, a weave as yellow as corn and trainers as pure as gold. Prince has a party planned, but Rap's dad wont let her go. He threatens Jaxx with eviction. Meanwhile Spinderella gets hold of an invite, by chance - though her Ugly Sisters (Bradley Charles, Jeffrey Felicisimo) and step-mother (Shaun Niles) steal it. Thankfully Fairy G is on hand to get her ready for the party.

The music is mostly hip hop, but takes any suitable influence, as here Rap dances to 'Rescue Me' and Prince comes to do so - to the Pink Panther theme. But the Landlord spots and stops her. Everyone's dancing at the party, including the ugly, sexually-harassing, sisters. Prince arrives to pick a girl and the sisters make passes. Spinderella arrives, and she and Prince dance. Everyone dances, all in time with more on-screen dancers. As midnight strikes, the children get hold of one of Spinderella's gold Adidas trainers.

The story develops around the characters, and the interweaving of many familiar children's fairy-tales - including Jack & The Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Rapunzel. There are promises of record deals, granny's red hoodie, stolen hair tresses, climbing up hair extensions, dealers, the Giant in the penthouse, kung fu, an action replay, and the trying on of a shoe. There's a nice touch at the end, following the characters 5 years on, and Rap's interesting career choice.

Yes, it is a happy-ever-after ending, but why not? The dancing is skilful and well-choreographed, using moves that seem to come from ballet, or ice-skating, as well as gymnastics, such as back-flips, and traditional hip hop. The script is well written, consistently funny. The production makes great use of technology with the back screen. It is also very moving and tender, and well-performed by the whole group.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Teneisha Bonner - Spinderella. Bradley Charles - Ugly Sister. Roger Davies - Prince. Jeffrey Felicisimo - Ugly Sister / Giant. Rowen Hawkins - Basement Jaxx. Danielle Lecointe - Rap-an-zel. Shaun Niles - Ugly Step Mother. Andry Oporia - Wolf. Monique Robert - Lil Red. Frank Wilson - Landlord. Ensemble dancers: Mark Calape, Shanelle Fergus, Denny Haywood, Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, Rebecca Rosie, Letitia Simpson. The company notes: 'The names of The Children and Fairy G are not included, for the protection of the minors who play them'.

Company Credits: Writer - uncredited. Director & Choreographer - Kate Prince. Asst. Choreographer - Emer Walsh. Film Director - Felix Harrison. Animation Designer - Ikenna Mowke. Lighting Designer - Jon Clark. Music Supervisor - DJ Walde. Production Manager - Stuart Arnold. Stage Manager - Nikki Morgan. Wardrobe & Costume - Caitlin Albery Beavan. Company Manager - Adam Speers. Press Office - Ben Chamberlain, Jill Cotton. Technical Operator - David Harraway. Producer - uncredited. Company - Zoonation. www.zoonation.co.uk

END

(c) Gill Smith 2007

reviewed Tuesday 7 August 07 / Pleasance Courtyard

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008