Dr Cecelia Monahan is a New York relationship therapist with several relationship issues of her own. Her support group for divorced and single women provides the backdrop for much of the action in this 2003 play by Joe Simonelli, here being performed in the UK for the first time. The play provides an interesting – if slightly stereotyped – look at relationships of various types, and the ensemble cast perform it well. They get plenty of laughs, especially as the pace really picks up in Act 2.
While I did find myself questioning – in 2022 – the need for a play that seems to emphasise that a woman’s happiness can only be found in a relationship, and specifically in a relationship with a man, I did enjoy the production. This has once again proven that the Cheadle Players Dramatic Society is a company that you can trust to put on a good show.
The ensemble cast is led by Charlotte Durham as Cecelia, who settled into the performance well during act 1 and produced an exceptionally authentic performance in Act 2 as Cecelia’s own issues bubbled to the surface. She is surrounded by a group of strong, if deliberately excessively dysfunctional, women (Sue Hinde, Amy Butler, Mary Ellis, Libby Burke & Sarah Howsam), and this group ably and comically highlighted many of the ups and downs of love. Robert Derry as Bob and Matt Powell as Tony were excellent scene partners for the female ensemble. It is wonderful to see a community theatre group performing at such a high level, and to have all of the performers so well matched.
The set, designed and built by Lee McGregor and Ian Wilkinson, was particularly well presented. I really loved the lighting design by David Burns and Chris Burnett that so efficiently and effectively demonstrated the passage of time and contrasted the harsher reality of therapy with the softer glow of the outside world. The scenery scape outside the window, painted by Sophie Hall and so beautifully lit, was absolutely mesmerising – I definitely had apartment envy!
I also want to commend the team at the Players Theatre who responded quickly and sensitively to my questions about content and potential triggers before we arranged the tickets. Please bear in mind that this play deals with issues of divorce, infidelity, death and loneliness.
This production is definitely worth a watch, particularly if you’re a woman who has survived man trouble in the past… and let’s face it, who hasn’t!
Men are Dogs continues at the Players Theatre until Saturday 3rd December 2022. More information about this play and the rest of the season can be found here: https://www.playersdramatic.co.uk/ and the ticket links can be found here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/playersdramaticsociety
Reviewer: Jo Tillotson
Reviewed: 28th November 2022
North West End UK Rating: ★★★