Workshop Reviews

"The St Bart's Team have worked with Michael since 2016. We invited him to be an inspiration for children and staff, helping us with our vision to develop the Performing Arts. It has been a great success, with each year building on the successes of one another. Michael understands children and knows how to bring the best out of them - even those on the periphery - drawing them into a performance and creating a fully-inclusive piece. Through performing, the children have learned other things such as confidence, teamwork, resilience and a positive self-image, and we can see the difference across the whole curriculum. Some of the children have taken their new-found enjoyment and skills beyond the classroom and into wider life. Michael's relationships with staff are also excellent, modeling high quality skills for them to take and make their own. We couldn't recommend Hit The Ground Running highly enough."

"Michael has worked with our Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC Performing Arts Learners on several occasions and we have loved every experience. The Physical Theatre workshops delivered by Michael and the company have been challenging, creative and inspiring. All learners were pushed out of their comfort zone and encouraged to work to the highest standard. All sessions were high energy, motivational and allowed learners to explore their own creativity. Our learners were given the opportunity to chat to the company members and hear about their experiences within the industry, this experience raised aspirations and enthusiasm for learning.

We very much look forward to working with HTGRDTC again."

“Unexpected turns and tonal shifts, and a sincere connection to its subject matter from director and performers.”

“The suitcases are beautifully treated like dance partners and an extension of the individual’s movement, whether that’s through physical attachment or emotional connection. It’s transfixing and hypnotic.”

“Suitcases is a dramatic and powerful insight into the characters of Willard. Elevated to the next level by its cinematography, this piece opens up a lost world and makes a troubled story a thing of beauty.”

"It is a beautiful and touching piece of work that was inspired by another, American photographer Jon Crispin’s painstaking documentation of the suitcases left behind by patients at the Willard Asylum for the Chronic Insane in New York State."

“The final frame of the film states “Where there’s talk, there’s hope” and Macho is a fantastic tool in enabling these much-needed conversations.”

“With subtle use of lighting and with a movement language which seamlessly combines contemporary technique with hip hop and breakdance, Macho involves us deeply in the turmoil and confusion of trying to understand and deal with what is it means to be a man and to challenge what is toxic.”

“The subtle changes in music throughout accompany the visuals beautifully. Sometimes gentle and dreamy, sometimes quite nostalgic like from a radio.”

"It reminds me how masculinity is buttressed by rigid ideas of how men think they should be; competitive rather than co-operative, bantering instead of talking, hating when they could be helping. Thankfully traditional masculinity is beginning to die, but all too often they still choose fists over feelings. I hope this work starts to open some new conversations where men and boys work together to make a better world for us all.”

“The tension and masculinity fighting to keep its head above water while at the same time the physical presence, fluidity and beauty of movement. I found myself holding my breath as the boy sits at the sidelines of the boxing ring breathing in toxic masculinity of what it is to be a man at the time the director plays with our notion of physical movement. Each setting telling a story of a space identified as belonging to men.”

“Every boy, man, in the country NEEDS to see this. Amazing…”

“A beautiful love letter to men and masculinity. So memorable.”