Dance review: Hi-Kick, Assembly Hall (Venue 35), Edinburgh

AS ALL footballers know, when you kick, roll or throw a ball, there is never a complete guarantee of where it will land. That’s bad enough on the football pitch, but imagine kicking one in a confined theatre space, knowing that a perfect landing is integral to the choreography.

Hi-Kick

Assembly Hall (venue 35)

Star rating: * * * *

Welcome to the world of Hi-Kick, the performers of which have spent the past 18 months honing the ball skills currently on stage at Assembly Hall. Created by the South Korean team behind Fringe hit Chef!, this football-inspired hour follows the (mis)fortunes of a team desperate to improve their chances on the pitch.

But standing in their way is a bullying crew whose slick footwork and intimidation tactics are stopping our plucky heroes from getting a game. Help arrives in a most unexpected guise, and some seriously good playing ensues.

Few of the performers had any ball-playing experience before Hi-Kick was created, so when one of them tucks a ball between his ankles, and flings it over his head whilst executing a backflip – and someone else catches it – you know they’ve put in the hours. Likewise when a performer leapfrogs over a huge tyre the rest of us would need a ladder to scale.

The soundtrack moves from playful to dramatic as the action hots up, while the cheesy opening and closing number, I Love Football, gets everyone clapping along.

A little audience interaction – in the form of two volunteers brought on stage for a football/volleyball hybrid – plus the odd Mexican wave, helps build up the convivial spirit.

Football is just part of the fun in this shamelessly entertaining show, however. Energetic and perfectly synchronised dance routines, some slapstick comedy and atmospheric lighting all add to the enjoyment, and remind us that this is a theatre, not a football pitch.

• Until 27 August. Today 4:05pm.