Hidden: A breathtaking display of strength, agility and visual storytelling that invites the audience to search for meaning.
There’s something refreshing about seeing a show that completely rejects traditional storytelling. Hidden is exactly that: a striking piece of physical theatre that favours movement, imagery and atmosphere over dialogue. It’s beautiful, highly skilled and often jaw-dropping to watch… a production that invites its audience to think as much as to simply observe.
Conceived and directed by Kevin Finnan, with choreography by Finnan, Daniel Massarella and the original cast, the piece explores themes of humanity, conflict and connection. The narrative is intentionally open-ended, allowing ideas about the best and worst of human behaviour to emerge through physical storytelling alone, rather than any spoken word.
What cannot be questioned is the extraordinary physical skill of the performers. The ensemble demonstrate phenomenal strength, agility and control, throwing one another high into the air in circus-style lifts before landing seamlessly into fluid, contemporary movement. Timing is impeccable and the transitions between ideas feel almost effortless, with choreography flowing continuously from one image to the next.
The staging is particularly inventive. The large metal frames that dominate the set prove endlessly multifunctional, shifting between structures, barriers and platforms as the action unfolds. A particularly powerful moment for me was where two cast members were trapped within sheets of cellophane as they struggled to escape confinements of life. The multifunctional set beautifully added texture and intrigue, catching the light and transforming the space in clever and unexpected ways. Throughout the piece, the performers create a series of striking tableaux, none more poignant than the final image.
Some of the most thrilling moments come in the ensemble sections, where the performers move as a collective unit. Here, the choreography leans into Motionhouse’s signature blend of dance and circus, with daring acrobatics and gravity-defying throws that leave the audience audibly gasping.
The minimalist score by Tim Dickinson and Sophy Smith supports the action atmospherically but at times feels repetitive, relying heavily on looping motifs. The frequent use of high-pitched violin lines occasionally becomes a little grating, particularly in extended sequences.
At times, I also found myself wishing for a little more guidance in understanding the central concept. Like encountering a beautiful piece of art in a gallery without the small explanatory plaque beside it, the imagery is often stunning but the intended meaning can feel just out of reach. However, this is very much a personal taste and the beauty of the piece is that it’s an adventurous piece for those who do not want any answers given directly to them. Personally, I also found some scenes lingered slightly longer than necessary, tipping towards self-indulgence, but again, for many this would only highlight the physical skill and stamina of the cast.
Ultimately, the sheer talent on stage is undeniable. The performers display astonishing strength and athleticism throughout, delivering moment after moment of genuinely mind-blowing physical theatre.
If you are a dancer, or someone who enjoys visually striking work that invites interpretation rather than handing you easy answers, Hidden will absolutely be your kind of show. It’s powerful, it’s emotive and it’s definitely thought-provoking.
Photograph by Dan Tucker.
