Xhloe and Natasha: Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It at Soho Theatre (London) Review
Content advice: discussion of cultural and political issues, and discussion/depiction of violence against animals.
After an acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Xhloe and Natasha’s Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It has arrived in London. For all the buzz that’s been around it, this two-hander whirlwind about a small Appalachian town and its inhabitants doesn’t disappoint.
Xhloe and Natasha play the two teenage girls responsible for starting a Bigfoot rumour to cover up an accident; soon, a veritable moral panic spreads through the town and we are introduced to multiple characters playing a role in the chaos and fear-mongering that follows. Each one has a distinct accent and physicality, and the switches between them happen in the blink of an eye; yet, even in the trickiest scenes, everything feels smooth and rehearsed to perfection.
The pacing is also fantastic, thanks to Xhloe, Natasha and co-director Tom Costello; the effectiveness of the show relies on it being fast and snappy, and the duo don’t miss a beat, constantly in motion, acting at the speed of light. There’s no underestimating the amount of work that goes behind something to make it look so effortless, and this is testament to Xhloe and Natasha’s rich vision and dedication in executing it.
Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It is physical theatre at its absolute best; Xhloe and Natasha are masterful at using their bodies as instruments to tell stories and paint vivid pictures. The synchronicity extends to the technical elements; there are many fast changes in lights (Angelo Sagnelli) and sound that absolutely define the show and must be delivered with razor-like precision; they land every time, highlighting a coherent, skillful and sharp creative team.
I have to admit that I was quite confused in the first 10-15 minutes. The show eventually won me over, and I’m finding more and more nuance in the piece while thinking about it on the following day. However, I think the first chunk remains not as strong as the rest, making for a bit of a scattered introduction to what is - in all other aspects - a very strong theatre piece. If I had gotten more clarity from the start and the different time jumps had been signposted more clearly, I think I would have appreciated the rest even more.
Little qualms aside, Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It deserves your time and attention. As silly as the premise might be, it takes just an hour in the company of Xhloe and Natasha to discover the breadth of themes that it unearths: social scapegoats in the wake of tragedies, suspicious and divided communities, shame, corruption, powerlessness, post-truth and the twisting of a convenient narrative to fit the agenda of the rich and powerful.
I loved the craftsmanship, artistry and cleverness permeating Bigfoot Ripped My Dog In Half I Saw It. It’s non-realistic in form, but chillingly realistic in its storytelling. Xhloe and Natasha - mimes, dancers, acrobats - establish themselves as a stellar physical duo with (mental and physical) fortitude, (mental and physical) agility, and (mental and physical) energy.
★★★★
Written by Greta for Theatre and Tonic, September 2026.