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Down
Dog Group: sunnyLeith Theatre Company |
| Natasha Hulugalle | |
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There are some productions that mistake wilfully obscure writing for challenging theatre. Down Dog is such a production. Two relationships are played out on stage, darting form one story the other. Tina, an agoraphobic prostitute and mathematical genius, entices her timid client David into supporting her financially on a permanent basis. Doreen is a frustrated housewife conducting an affair with her husband's best friend and lodger Derek. At a guess it would seem that writer Mark O'Thomas hoped that these two relationships would take on bizarre and sinister qualities reminiscent of the characters that Dennis Potter so brilliantly created. He has forgotten however that there was sense to be found in Potter's twisted scenarios, and that they were not simply weird for the sake of being weird. It may be that with Down Dog O' Thomas is highlighting the competitive and destructive dynamics that are inherent between the sexes but this was not communicated with any real ease. This was not the fault of the actors who all gave assured performances, no easy task with dialogue that managed to be both histrionic and aimless. On paper the character twists that emerge sound quite intriguing. As they are also predictable there is no reason why a brief run down should not be given. While Doreen and Derek wait for husband Bill to return home they go through a cycle of fighting and making up before it gradually emerges that Derek has an obsession with his dog Rex and that he has murdered Bill. Tina pretends that she is suddenly unable to walk in a ploy to ensure that she never has to leave her room, and believes that Dave is blissfully ignorant of her con. Dave then reveals himself to be a religious maniac who believes that all humans are dogs. The canine imagery is not a clear or sophisticated device, merely suggesting that this is a dog eat dog world. When a seemingly average and boring situation becomes warped the audience should be left feeling uneasy. Down Dog inspired only a familiar vague feeling that some mundane task could have been fulfilled during the previous hour. 31
July to 24 August.
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