The loaded dog
The Loaded Dog Richard Wherrett Room, Sydney Theatre April 13-xx, 2010; STC ED’s Actor on a Box. Images: Tracey Schramm.
STORYTELLING is a luxury at any age and when the storyteller is Henry Lawson, brought to larger-than-life by actor Stefo Nantson, it’s sheer delight.
The Loaded Dog is a Lawson short story that’s perfect for kids – and their adults. It tells of a miner and his faithful retriever and the miner’s friends who poke fun at him because he is Norwegian, talks funny and is only good at fishing. They’re all prospecting for gold somewhere beyond the back of beyond and it’s some time in the 19th century.
The retriever is only good at retrieving too, and he’s a happy young dog who will go after and bring back anything. One day the miners hit on a scheme to get themselves a nice catch of fish: blow up the creek with a stick of dynamite made into a bomb. The retriever retrieves it, brings it back to the men and all hell breaks loose.
As re-enacted by “Dave” (Nantson), the bomb has the longest and hardiest fuse in history as it lasts the 45 minutes of the production and also a trip into town in the retriever’s mouth. There the townsfolk are going about their business (shopping, washing and under-age drinking at the pub).
The end is spectacular because the audience of small persons and enthusiastic adults not only take part, but also supply all the sound effects. These include a mighty explosion that does for an especially nasty cur dog. And Dave, his dog and his friends live happily ever after.
-c750x442.jpg)
Simply staged and beautifully performed, The Loaded Dog is a delight. Kids and others can sit on cushions and rugs on the polished wooden floor; there are curtains slung around the room on ropes, strings of lights and Dave on his box (a chest from which he drags all props and money to pay his weeny helpers).
Audience participation is obligatory and joyously undertaken by eager littlies. For its opening morning show, SMH critic Jason Blake proved to be suspiciously good at playing a scungy publican without a single scruple when it came to serving under-age customers. Who’da thunk it.
Recommended for 4-to-whatevers. While economically produced, the quality and care taken by STC Ed is evident in the creatives involved: director Naomi Edwards, designer Alice Babidge, voice consultant Charmain Gradwell and stage and production managers, Rosie Gilbert and Terri Richards. Not forgetting Henry Lawson and Stefo Nantson, of course. Great fun and well done with a lovely twist in its tail – or tale – take your pick.
