Robb Hunter, Fight Director

"The amorous tussle that is “As You Like It” never comes more vigorously to life in the Lansburgh Theatre than when two guys strip off their shirts and go at it on the mat. It’s the wrestling match at the top of the show of which I speak, executed by Ian Bedford and Andrew Veenstra and staged by fight director Robb Hunter with an electric vim that places in serious doubt how Veenstra, as the play’s romantic hero Orlando, might extricate himself from this well-choreographed entanglement. Rarely does an “As You Like It” devote this much creative tension to the athletic battle — Never again in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s three-hour production, in fact, does the action of the play feel so completely engaged."

"Robb Hunter, who choreographed the spectacular wrestling match that opens the play, deserves high commendation for one of the most carefully-wrought fight scenes you will find on the DC stage (or elsewhere, for that matter)."

"This brings me to the fight scene, which is the high point of the production’s fantastic technical support. The Metheny stage is a startlingly intimate space, and a tough venue for stage magic, but my God, what fight choreographer Robb Hunter has done...I sat perhaps thirty feet from the stage, and, but for my understanding of the Equity rules, I could not tell whether this was a real fight or not."

"The Walworth Farce was one of my favorite productions in Washington, DC last year, and Robb Hunter’s work as a fight choreographer on it was fantastic."

"Robb Hunter’s stellar fight choreography is intricate and clumsy looking enough to appear deceptively natural and spontaneous."

"The verbal and physical interplay among the characters is what propels the action, which incorporates some vividly staged business by fight director Robb Hunter."

"Fight director Robb Hunter choreographed the various expressions of violence with a believable clarity."

"Their de rigueur catfight (neatly choreographed by Robb Hunter) is spirited and inventive."

"One of the most persuasively staged fight scenes in memory."

"And once again Robb Hunter has provided vivid fight choreography."

"...visually stunning battle scenes, using a variety of rather nasty looking weapons of individual destruction..."

“The performers execute the numerous pratfalls with alarming authenticity and are always in control...”

"The sword fights are brutal and dangerous-looking, especially the final one between Macbeth and MacDuff (Robb Hunter)... And indeed, there's a delightful surplus of blood in this production...”

“It is one of a hundred superb decisions on [director] Campbell’s part, including superbly choreographed movement (Robb Hunter does the fight choreography).”

“Fight director, Robb Hunter, really made the action scenes quite credible - which was difficult considering how physical the scenes were.”

“The production under Robb Hunter making his Potomac Region directorial debut is a diverting and entertaining evening of substantial theater blending a light comic touch with undercurrents of tragedy which, after all, is the hallmark of Russian literature.”

“Robb Hunter is making his local debut as a director, but it is certainly not the first time his name has shown up in the programs of local theatergoers. It's just that, until now, the credit has been "Fight Direction" or "Fight Choreography" rather than "Director." As you might expect from someone who has been on the choreographic side of productions before, Hunter brings an eye for use of the stage space to this mounting.”

"I have to tell you - the fights are amazing...the designers were absolutely rocked back in their seats in shock at the strangling scene. Thanks – it is going to be a great production.”

“Robb, when I interviewed you for the job of fight director, I had a feeling you were good. Then…I knew. Every day after that, watching your combat, has been a marvel.”