Hoof!

Rejects Revenge and Spike Theatre
Unity Theatre (17th-18th October 2006)

Reviewed by Helen Grey

There is no way my writing skills can describe what I saw for 45 minutes on the stage at The Unity. All I can tell you is what I did see was ingenious, funny and well performed and that it will never be seen again, by anyone. That’s because, as the programme proudly says, 'Nothing is planned. No two shows are the same. The performers, musician and lighting designer are all improvising before your very eyes.'

Hoof! came about through collaboration between Todd Stashwick and the UK theatre companies Rejects Revenge and Spike Theatre. Todd was performing at the Edinburgh festival with his improv group, when he saw Rejects Revenge perform in their show ‘Peasouper'. Todd was impressed with Rejects' unique brand of physical theatre and upon his return to the US, he teamed up with his creative partner John Thies to create the Hothouse improvisation studio. As a result they began to perform and teach the UK/US hybrid of improvised physical theatre. Both UK theatre companies had been exploring improvisation and how they could create an entirely improvised show. In the autumn of 2004 they invited Todd to the UK and the first Hoof! show was created.

I urge anyone who is able to watch one of Hoof!’s performances. They are clever and very entertaining. There’re no awkward silences – the company clearly know each other inside and out – and the flow of the show is seamless. It’s hard to believe that none of what I saw was scripted. The lighting and sound men created the perfect atmosphere in which to compliment the performers. Many say they love the theatre because of its immediacy – there is really no more immediate show (both for the actors and audience) than Hoof!

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Comments:

Comment left by Glenn Noble on 1st November, 2006 at 14:01
Thanks for your kind words Helen, really glad you enjoyed the show...keep coming back because as you know - Its different everytime! Best wishes, Glenn @ Spike and the Hoof! team

Comment left by Emma Kavanagh on 22nd October, 2007 at 16:35
I saw you do a performance at the redbridge drama centre i thought i was amazing and hilarious i would love to more of your work!

Comment left by Tom Hicks on 2nd May, 2008 at 10:02
Do you know why they're called Hoof? It's for my theatre review for my exam.

Comments are closed for this review