A sleeper hit when it played the Downstairs Theatre in 2015, The Dog / The Cat is a delicious theatrical treat; a romantic comedy with real heart and genuine charm. After four extension weeks, Belvoir knew they had to bring this gem back on the Upstairs stage for everyone to get in on the magic.
It’s the quintessential Sydney story of sex, heartbreak, love, and dogs in a park, in fact, it could be called Two Men, One Woman, a Park and a Dog – because everyone knows that nothing breaks the ice like a cute dog. Brendan Cowell’s (Ruben Guthrie, The Sublime) play The Dog paints a not-so-flattering portrait of the tricky line between mateship and romance, and of the insatiable appetite of Jack Russell terriers for the most disgusting things they can find.
Owning a cat is not easy. Co-owning a cat with your ex is less easy. Co-owning a smart-talking, irritable and meddling cat with your ex is pure comedy. Lally Katz (Back at the Dojo, Stories I Want to Tell You in Person) brings her trademark charm and surreal humor to The Cat.
Benedict Hardie (The Drover’s Wife) reprises his roles as Marcus, the douche-y app designer in The Dog and the lovelorn Albert in The Cat. Xavier Samuel (Twilight: Eclipse, Love and Friendship) returns as the deadbeat Ben in The Dog and the cat in The Cat. Sheridan Harbridge (Girl Asleep) joins the cast as the clever and beguiling Miracle in The Dog and Albert’s ex Alex in The Cat.
“Lally and Brendan and Ralph managed to reinvent the rom-com for the stage in a way that was completely beguiling and very, very funny,” says Artistic Director, Eamon Flack. ” It was clear at the end of its season that its life was far from over.”
With the season already extended for an extra week due to popular demand, this romantic and comedic delight is set to be a big hit all over again.
Director: Ralph Myers With: Sheridan Harbridge, Benedict Hardie, Xavier Samuel Remount Director: Anthea Williams Set Design: Ralph Myers Costume Design: Mel Page Lighting Design: Damien Cooper Composer & Sound Design: Stefan Gregory Associate Composer & Sound Design: Riley McCullagh
The Dog / The Cat
Belvoir Theatre, 25 Belvoir Street, Surry Hills
Season: 15 April – 7 May 2017 (previews: 13 April)
Information and Bookings: www.belvoir.com.au
Image: Benedict Hardie & Andrea Demetriades (2015) – photo by Brett Boardman