Dog Show

Who let the dogs out ? Woof ! Woof !

Dog Showis  wild, bestial and riotous satirical theatre.

Pure devotion and dedication to one’s canine can go no further than this hyper- puerile exploration of dog show phenomena. Apparently it began in London at The Kennel Club in 1873, and has since taken the world by storm, branching out into many tawdry suburban outlets.

A farcical production is created by, with direction from Cassandra Fumi, along with three skittery physical performers. Dog Show begins with a formal introduction followed by dog pageantry, judging and then all hell breaks loose.

A hysterical parody of competitive passion and ‘dog eat dog’ like frenzy, the contestants/dogs strive for kudos, with continuous mounting tension and excitement as they perform at their ludicrous best. Select audience members are pre-prepped, announcing and repeating various categories. This is a clever theatrical device used to amplify the delirium on stage.

The sheer physicality demands that the three buffoon performers morph in and out of their dog /owner roles with quick action-ease. Simone French is a real gem as Kara/Chiquitita Chihuahua, performed with snivelling snobbery; her rendition of “The Rose” by Bette Midler reeks of hilarious pathos.

Robert Joseph/Afghan Hound (Adam Ibrahim) is a real hoot - his tizzy drag queen persona plays havoc with the ‘norm’. Benjamin Hugge/Whippet (Alex Roe) is hard and dirty. Cassandra Kumashov, the live on set drummer, drives the live sound with dynamic rock and roll energy.

A must-see show!

Flora Georgiou