CAT vs DOG
Founders Energy Centre, 87 Atawhai Drive, Nelson
28/09/2024 - 12/10/2024
Production Details
By Dan Bain
Directed by Mark Hadlow
The Professional Theatre Company of Nelson Whakatu
Uncle Bert loves Cat and Dog but once he’s out the door it’s all on between the two pets, until the day disaster strikes.
The scene is set for Cat vs Dog, the latest offering from The Professional Theatre Company of Nelson Whakatu, promising a laugh-out-loud school holidays’ treat for the kids.
Professional Theatre Company founder and Cat vs Dog director Mark Hadlow says it’s a BYO cushion show, performed ‘in the round’ with plenty of audience participation and backchat as the three actors play out the dialogue-free drama.
Doug Brooks plays Uncle Bert, Olivia Hadlow is Cat, while Garin College student Will Haywood as Dog is a ‘find’ from the school Shakespeare competition.
“When Doug and I judged the Shakespeare, Will stood out as naturally talented,” Hadlow says. “We’ve watched this talent flourish for five years and we’re thrilled to offer Will (17) his first professional theatre role.” Cat vs Dog is by Christchurch actor, director and stand-up comedian Dan Bain. Hadlow says the play is pitched at primary aged children and under, as well as adults who enjoy a laugh.
“The humour hinges on Cat and Dog taking on human characteristics as soon as Uncle Bert leaves the room, and the chaos when things go wrong and they have to call emergency services,” he says. “There’s no dialogue, but plenty of uproar and physical theatre as the story emerges.”
Cat vs Dog is the latest offering from The Professional Theatre Company – the local group that packed houses with ‘Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Dodson Valley Road’ and the pacy Nelson history romp CHONA.
Mark Hadlow (best known for his role as Dori the dwarf in The Hobbit) has now made Nelson his home, using his out of town connections to bring top theatre to his new home city.
Cat vs Dog will show at
Founders Energy Centre, 87 Atawhai Drive, Nelson
Saturday 28 September to Sat 12 October 2024
11am & 1pm daily, excluding Sundays.
Tickets at The Professional Theatre www.theptc.co.nz
or at Founders Café, Atawhai Drive.
Uncle Bert: Doug Brooks
Cat: Olivia Hadlow
Dog: Will Haywood
Physical Theatre , Theatre , Children’s ,
Captivating story line played out with love
Review by Ruth Allison 03rd Oct 2024
I ask Willa 9, Finn 7 and Cooper 6 what they liked most about Cat vs Dog and they all say, “Eeverything.” The best audience in the world are children.
Seated on cushions, as close to the stage as possible, all three riveted by the machinations of Uncle Bert, his Cat and Dog, it is impossible not to join in their fun, calling out with their responses to which animal has scored the best point.
What makes a great show? Characters: the three characters are a delight.
As Uncle Bert, Doug Brooks is the man in the ménage, suitably enamoured by both Cat and Dog. Tripping lightly on the stage with effective body language and facial expressions, he gives his attention to both animal’s every needs.
William Haywood, in his first professional stage appearance, masters the qualities of a hapless and loving family dog, easily fooled by Cat’s devious tricks.
In turn, Olivia Hadlow makes a dominating and tyrannical cat: sleek and light-footed, her vocal miaows are astonishing. She commands a presence on the stage and is instrumental in creating the fast-paced action.
Antics galore: from fights over dog and cat bowls to tennis balls to balls of wool, from hungry vacuum cleaners to flesh eating goldfish, this show had it all.
The premise of Cat scoring tricks over Dog, all out of the sight and hearing of Uncle Bert, keeps the children on the edge of their pillows, their loyalties tested when asked to choose.
Each trick delivers with skill and style. Cat getting her tail sucked up by the vacuum cleaner, Dog attempting to use the telephone …
Music, mime, lighting and sound effects: the sign of a good show is that these features meld effectively into the action. And they do. A Wallace and Gromit music track ushers in the gullible Uncle Bert and stays discreetly, providing pace and tension.
Sound effects are prompt and accurate. The lighting plays a prominent role especially when the hot air balloon rises above the stage.
Impressive mime captures the qualities of each character. The children believe in them.
The captivating story line, exploring the idea that friendship is more important than scoring points. is played out with love.
This is a show which should play to full houses, kids and adults alike.
Thanks to the joyful direction of Mark Hadlow and his cast of three, the school holidays have started with a bang.
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