Review: DOG MOM at Southwark Playhouse Borough

Woof, sniff-sniff, bark, growl, yap-yap, woof whimper, whine, growl, howl, woof. I trust that’s clear!

The middle-aged woman at the centre of DOG MOM Sarita (Vinita Belani) didn’t have children with her former partner Clay. She laments the hysterectomy which has left her envious of other women including her new neighbour Nell (Joanna Holden) who has had children but now focuses and reserves any love she has to give, exclusively for the benefit of her pet. In Nell’s case that pet is a big daft dog named Ruben (Tom Barnes).

When a stray golden retriever takes a shine to Sarita, she initially rejects the notion of adopting it, but given the alternative (the kind folks at the dog pound will likely put it down) she relents. Of course the temporary arrangement soon becomes permanent as the two develop love and understanding. The dog is even afforded an appropriate name, Foster (played with gusto and physical skill by an irrepressible Patty Gallagher). Finally, rounding out the cast by adding a flavourful spectrum of characters (everything from a prim old lady to a forthright veterinarian and down to a lithe and lissom feline), is Jarreau Antoine.

The players are directed by crime novelist Ajay Chowdhury on a set by Sean Cavanagh which is essentially a compartmentalised sofa with a screen behind, onto which are projected various backdrops. Ideas around emotional support are challenged and examined. Comparisons are made between human loyalty and animal devotion and grey areas around kindness and responsibility (when illness and suffering present themselves) are superficially examined.

This odd little show has charm aplenty, though for some it may also prove something of a well-intentioned dog’s dinner. DOG MOM runs a whisker shy of 2 hours including interval and continues at Southwark Playhouse until 7th November.