With a title like ‘Dog Sh!t’ and a promotional poster featuring a cartoon canine caught in that very act, audiences watching Bellaray Bertrand-Webb’s play at Theatre503 should know to expect the unexpected.
Selling out an acclaimed run at the Dublin Fringe Festival last year, Dog Sh!t has transferred to London’s Theatre503 for two nights, directed by Ursula McGinn.
The 70-minute play focuses on four characters: the existentially melancholic Emma (Laura Brady), passionate thespian Raven (Gracie Oddie-James), creative-turned-corporate Nora (Breffni Holahan), and Nora’s boyfriend Obi (Aaron Shosanya), the tech bro with a surprising obsession with Greek philosophy.
Advertised as a satirical comedy, I’m happy to say that Dog Sh!t definitely isn’t all bark and no bite.
Firstly, the cast is absolutely superb. Each relationship on stage feels nuanced and believable, and every actor plays on their character’s distinctive traits to maximise the laughs brought out by Bertrand-Webb’s witty script. Brady has nailed Emma’s wistful cynicism, while Oddie-James is hilarious as the devout anti-capitalist who just so happens to be quite rich herself.
Meanwhile, Nora and Obi’s honeymoon phase starts to show its cracks as the other characters reveal uncomfortable truths about her, with Holahan and Shosanya playing this contrasting pair brilliantly.
The production also takes advantage of audience asides, delivered by each actor swathed in the glow of a spotlight, creating some of the funniest and most absurd moments in the piece.
Absurdity is a common thread throughout Dog Sh!t, with a lot of the comedy coming from the most surreal places — which I won’t spoil for the purpose of this review.
Bertrand-Webb’s script is hysterical, but it’s also extremely thought-provoking. As discussions about working in theatre versus the tech industry come to the forefront, Dog Sh!t offers nuanced commentary on capitalism, class, and identity without it ever feeling like it’s trying to take on too much.
The only minor criticism I’d make of the script is that the exposition at the beginning could benefit from a touch of refining — for example, it took me longer than I’d like to admit to realise that Dylan was a dog and not another human.
The sense of frenzy created in the script is amplified by QianEr Jin’s colourfully chaotic set, and Jenny O’Malley’s frantic sound design is inspired.
Overall, Dog Sh!t is a daring, clever, and extremely entertaining show that is a testament to the exciting range of young talent currently emerging in theatre.
Reviewer: Olivia Cox
Reviewed: 11th July 2024
North West End UK Rating:
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