It's That Time Again - Merde!

ALL THIS BLOGGING & TWEETING CAN GET A DOG DOWN...

"Talking Dog" at The New Venture Theatre, Brighton

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a rehearsal for 'Talking Dog', which opens at The New Venture Theatre, Brighton, on Saturday 10 December.

I've chewed my way through many an ounce of rawhide at rehearsals for various shows and events at the NVT (where Humum often performs). But, when I saw Talking Dog, bones were the last thing on my mind. As I entered the theatre it sounded like there were dogs everywhere. However, when I looked around, apart from me there was only Daisy, the director's long haired Jack Russell, soundo on the stage manager's lap.



So where were all the barks and whines coming from? You could've knocked me down with a rabbit-flavoured twizzle stick when I realised the human actors were quite literally 'talking dog' - and behaving like them too! Unused to being around humans who can talk dog, naturally I wanted to join in. Unfortunately, barking and jumping up at the actors wasn't conducive to the rehearsal process, but my reaction confirmed they had succeeded in their anti-anthropomorphism, much to the delight of director Sarah Davis.

When I'd calmed down, I spoke to professional performer and drama-teacher, Davis, about the show:

"It started out as just a title based on a joke a friend had told me about a talking dog," says Davis. "I also had a method and a way of collectively devising I wanted to put to the test."

All she needed then was four willing and brave performers, a massively creative and supportive crew and a Great Dane-sized leap of faith.

The result is a unique piece of theatre that engages and transports the audience on a shared magical storytelling extravaganza using puppetry, mask and a good yarn to tug at your heart strings. More specifically it is the tale of Eddy the dog who travels through his local woods to seek out Crow, the Angel of Death. Eddy's doggy sense informs him that his beloved owner, Mrs Wilson, is soon to die. Having been her loyal companion for many years, he wants to be allowed to make the final journey with her. Along the way Eddy recalls memories of those humans he has loved and lost, such as Mr Wilson and Marty their son, and of significant dogs he has known, in preparation to answer Crow's question. He is familiar with the myth of Brindle the Original Dog and knows that upon meeting Crow, he must answer its questions successfully. Only then will he stand a chance of succeeding in his wishes.

I told Sarah that the thing I find most exciting and original about the show is the fact that all the human characters are in full face mask and are therefore silent. Only the animals can talk.

"Most performers rely heavily on facial expressions, gaze and voice," says Sarah. "In Talking Dog all these elements are removed with full-faced mask, alongside much of one's sight."

After rehearsals I was lucky enough to hang out with the cast, Claire Armstrong, Mark Green, Frank Leon and Leanne McKenzie at the dog-friendly Temple Bar across the road from the theatre. In return for crisps, strokes and tickle-bellies I gave them some tips on begging and slobbering and even demonstrated some real-life butt-sniffing with the hot Spaniel at the next table. After exchanging butt-scents, I asked said Spaniel if he'd like to come to the theatre with me to see Talking Dog. He called me a crazy bitch and told me everybody knows dogs can't talk. I told him to 'talk to the paw, because this cute Frenchie face ain't listening'. Word up.

Talking Dogs runs from Saturday 10th - Saturday 17th December. Curtain time on Tuesdays to Saturdays is 7:45pm. On Sundays, performances are matinées, commencing at 2:30pm. No performance Mondays. For further information and to book tickets visit http://www.newventure.org.uk/home.asp