Into the Hoods Review: A Hip Hop Fairy Tale Mash-up

Inspired by the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, Into the Hoods: Remixed explores the interwoven lives of an array of (alternative) fairy tale characters. There’s Spinderella, who longs to DJ at the ball, and Lil Red who’s tricked by Wolf into signing a less than favourable music deal. Jaxx is struggling to pay his rent, and Rap-on-Zel is hoping a D-list celebrity will climb her hair and rescue her. There’s Giant, Fairy Gee, Ugly Sisters and Prince too — and they all live in Beanstalk Towers, a block of flats in the Ruff Endz Estate.

First incarnated in 2006, Into the Hoods won a 2009 What’s On Stage Award and, after a five-month stint at the Novello Theatre, became one of the longest-running dance productions ever seen in the West End. It’s now remixed for a national tour — starting at the Peacock Theatre in Holborn — with new choreography and refreshed music, but the same infectious personality, humour and punchiness.

The story is fun and engaging, but it’s ultimately just an excuse for some amazing dancing, which ZooNation’s talented performers deliver in spades. Kate Prince’s direction showcases a variety of hip hop dance styles to great effect, with a break-dancing Corey Culverwell and locking Lucinda Wessels standing out in particular.

Into the Hoods will delight the whole family (yep, you can even bring your gran) — and just when you think it can’t get any better, the onstage patients in a nursing home come to life in head-spinning, buttock-shaking glory.

Into the Hoods: Remixed is at the Peacock Theatre (Portugal St WC2A 2HT) until 14 November. Tickets £15-£38. Londonist saw this show on a complimentary ticket.