EVER wondered what your dog was thinking?
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The answer might be found in Footprint Theatre’s latest stage production The Dog Logs, touring south east NSW and far northeast Gippsland from May 23 to June 15.
The Dog Logs by Australian playwright C J Johnson tells the stories of 11 different dogs, brought vividly to life in monologue form.
The result is highly theatrical, extremely funny, at times very moving, and thoroughly unique.
Among the breeds is a tough Rottweiler with neighbour problems, an aging mongrel who discovers love late in life, a Greyhound who might be too clever for her own good, an extremely suave Afghan Hound who’s very proud of his studly abilities, a police dog who finds herself up against some abhorrent lawbreakers, a Kelpie with an interesting herding problem and a New Zealand Customs Beagle with attitude.
The concept of dogs telling a story came about when Christopher Johnson, at the tender age of eleven, discovered his pet West Highland White Terriers mauled by neighbours’ dogs.
Ten years later, he wrote about the incident from the killer dog’s perspective in a monologue called Borys The Rottweiler.
When this monologue started winning awards, he decided to create the rest of the “dog monologues.”
Not just for dog lovers, The Dog Logs is a unique mix of humour, tragedy, poignancy and romance. These dogs’ lives are every bit as rich and complex as our own, as they negotiate love, friendship, revenge, violence – even sex! Ultimately, these stories reflect the major concerns of being human.
Directors Lis Shelley and Graham Brown said this was one of their most ambitious tours yet and was a great way to celebrate Footprint Theatre’s fifth birthday.
“We’re looking forward to sharing these heartwarming doggy characters with new audiences around the region,” they said.
The cast also has a regional flavour, with Robert Buck from Bega, Jonathan Bignell from Delegate, Graham Brown and Kerry Hynes from Merimbula, Karl Auer, Lis Shelley and Anna Auer from Lochiel.
The play will tour to Pambula Town Hall (7.30pm on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24), Mallacoota Mudbrick Pavilion (5pm on Sunday, May 25), Cooma Ex-Service Club (7.30pm on Saturday, May 31), Delegate School of Arts (2pm on Sunday, June 1) Bermagui Community Centre (7.30pm on Friday, June 6), Narooma Kinema (7.30pm on Saturday, June 7), Bega Thimble Theatre (7.30pm on Sunday, June 8 and a public holiday matinee at 2pm on Monday, June 9), Merimbula Wharf Restaurant (dinner show at 6pm for 7.30pm on Friday, June 13) and Nethercote Hall (7.30pm on Saturday, June 14 and 2pm on Sunday, June 15).
The show is recommended for audiences aged 15 and above.
Tickets are now available online at www.footprint.org.au or by calling 6495 7160.