Lost Paws – theSpaceUK @ Surgeon’s Hall

Arlan taunts his cat Jefferbelle with a cucumber and a cellphone. Jeffers is quite the star on Tik-Tok and just one more video of his cuteness will satisfy Arlan’s lust for social media likes. He pets him, tickles him and generally adores him; he is after all his best friend. The scene switches. Shira plays the accordion and reads to her feline friend, Iris but ‘Rissy’ is a different beast; she’s a house cat.

Iris is an athletic female. She cartwheels, leaps and bounces through the stage proving herself to be adept at all things physical. Jeffers is a little less robust but infinitely more streetwise. Except, Arlan doesn’t understand the poor creature is lactose intolerant. He can happily lap up milk to amuse his owner, but he can’t control the effects. It should now be obvious that two actors are performing as animals, but the quality of this play emerges as the cat language defines itself. The cats understand their lives at a direct and basic level.   This creates sensitivity and humour drawn from the direct and relatable observations of the interpersonal relationships people have with their animals. This positive engagement means we – as audience – entirely connect with the action. 

Visual and audio montages are a consistent key to the efficacy of Paws. They keep the audience engaged and in a constant state of amusement. The cat’s perspective of their toilet habits is particularly amusing but considered, not puerile for the sake of it. Iris is unhappy as Shira’s house pet; she’s also constipated. The balance struck between the feline innocence, and the human expectation is brilliantly defined and as the plot moves our pair of soon to be strays adventure into the night. Cue appropriately considered music. Gunter Kallman Choir’s ‘Daydream’ sets the mood then blends into techno. The choreography unfolds a dynamic tableau of London at night. The cats explore by paws; the humans travel by tube. The hustle, bustle and madness of the city is defined by two parallel perspectives; awe and wonder from the cats, loathing of repetition by the humans.

Shira is neurotic, self-absorbed and annoying. She knows this but does little to change other than constantly acknowledge her flaws. Iris is now missing and the poster campaign to find her is in full swing. This is where the plot begins to melt with precision. Arlan meets Shira in the High Street. Jeffers has been missing for over a week, but he doesn’t care; he’s a cat, he does this. Here begins the process of realisation in the humans. Cats heal loneliness. Trust in animals connects us when human interaction is absent, but we crave connections with other people most.  

At heart this is a beautifully crafted love story by writers Ellie Rose Amit and Charlotte Pine. The cats have the adventure of their lives that helps them realise their place in the World whilst the humans come to terms with their own flaws and idiosyncrasies. Now for what really sets this piece apart, the resolve. Iris never knew where she lived but the sprawling adventure has brought her full circle. Shira plays the accordion for the first time since Iris went missing. Iris hears the music; Jeffers has led her home, but she doesn’t want to go back to being a housebound pet. Jeffers sees Arlan, recognises him immediately and feels drawn to his old life. Describing this final denouement is in no way a spoiler; the play is so much more than that. It’s a careful study of life told in a clever duality with perspective and emotion. The writing is wholly naturalistic, and the acting is too. It’s a clever and considered performance that builds itself around production devices that provide maximum effect. Lost Paws is truly imaginative and heartfelt journey.     

Reviewer: Al Carretta

Reviewed: 21st August 2025

North West End UK Rating: