A pedigree dog show with no dogs is a tough act to pull off – lets face it, there’s a reason those things are popular. But, when the trio in Dog Show take to the stage as both pooch and parent, it’s easy to forget they’re only human.
Dog Show is a classic tale of competition: three dogs enter, but only one can win. Backed by a percussionist to strike the transitioning points between person and pup, Simone French, Alex Roe and Adam Ibrahim nail the physical mannerisms of Chihuahua, Whippet and Afghan Hound respectively. It’s an atavistic performance of sorts, that sees the artists regress into something very primal.
The plot of the show is not so much a driving force of dramatic tension, but rather a conduit for the players to show off their dexterity in physical performance. It’s a simple and effective way to shine a spotlight on the main element of Dog Show, but pairing it with the established characters in the piece leaves their personas a much smaller space to flourish. It feels as if there is no inherent conflict in the narrative, and while the end goal is an illuminating metaphor on the treatment of competitive animals, the final chapter is rather rushed.
The biggest take back of Dog Show seems to be its attempt to bite off more than it can chew. Each component of the show is executed extremely well, but the multitude of genres and theatrical styles constantly fight against each other for top billing. What results is a desire for more – for a stripped back version that highlights a more refined version of these performers incredible abilities.
