BIGFOOT RIPPED MY DOG IN HALF I SAW IT
Soho Theatre
★★★
“a clever, layered piece that could be truly monstrous with a little refinemen”
After a breakout Edinburgh Festival Fringe run, ‘Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It’ lands in London. This clown-led tale of runaway misinformation blends satire, drama and slick physical comedy to striking effect, though tighter structure and pacing would help it hit harder.
Two gutsy teens cry Bigfoot to spook their forgotten Appalachian town. But when a dog turns up ripped to shreds, the rumour runs wild.
Written and performed by Xhloe Rice and Natasha Roland – better known as Xhloe & Natasha – the show proves more layered than its absurd premise suggests. What begins as a prank by two teenage troublemakers gradually reveals a darker side – a runaway rumour becoming the real monster is uncomfortably apt in our disinformation age. The shifting power play is cleverly handled, with growing protests and changes in who’s controlling the narrative. The show’s blend of clowning, physical comedy and character work is consistently impressive – with little more than a gesture, stance or vocal shift, Xhloe & Natasha conjure an entire Appalachian town. While the satire lands well and the humour has a deliciously cynical streak, the narrative takes a little too long to reach its destination, leaving the final revelations feeling less impactful than the build-up. The reveal also feels a little thin, particularly with the foreboding flood subplot promising something darker. Even so, this remains a smart, politically charged piece with plenty of bite.
Co-directed by Xhloe & Natasha and Tom Costello, the staging is full of smart touches. Bigfoot becomes a potent metaphor, dramatically disintegrating at a key moment before being reconstructed by just one half of the duo. The rapid-fire physical sequences are a particular highlight, with Xhloe & Natasha utterly in sync. However, while some sections fizz with energy, momentum frequently dips during slower scenes and extended pauses. The show’s exaggerated first half leaves less room for escalation, meaning the hints of dissent and conflict could be pushed further. Even so, the sheer quality of the physical theatre makes this a company well worth keeping an eye on.
The design is sparse but smart. The sole set piece – a glaring STOP sign – bears a continuous yet unheeded warning. Angelo Sagnelli’s lighting is a standout, with razor-sharp cues and a deft balance of naturalism and heightened theatricality. Increasingly selective lighting reveals the battle for control, and full lighting exposes Bigfoot for the hoax it is. Khaki costumes, complete with patches and fingerless gloves, evoke a forgotten mountain town. The mask-like clown make up – hilariously shared with Bigfoot – signals all is not as it seems.
Xhloe & Natasha are a formidable double act. Their physical precision is mesmerising, with lightning-fast choreography and razor-sharp transitions between a dizzying array of characters. The multi-roling is so deft that, even as identities begin to blur, the storytelling remains crystal clear. Their expressive faces betray every thought, and their chemistry is flawless, moving as one until they deliberately don’t. An exciting company whose work feels worth seeking out.
Beneath its absurd title, ‘Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It’ is a clever, layered piece that could be truly monstrous with a little refinement.
BIGFOOT RIPPED MY DOG IN HALF I SAW IT
Soho Theatre
Reviewed on 19th September 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Jennifer Forward-Hayter
