Puppy

Choosing to set the story in a tight community where dogging is seen as just one of the events in the weekly calenda, provides a lot this plays funniest moments. It gives it more than a slight ‘Carry On’ quality. But then cleverly contradicts this and challenges more serious emotions and areas of consent within the porn industry in 2014.

The lovers in this story are Jaz (Ashling O’Shea) and Maya (Amy Revelle) who both give wonderfully tender and beautifully gauged performances. They go from awkward first moment to full on relationship, which is then challenged by the porn fame that Maya achieves. This relationship is under even more stress when deciding to run their own ethical porn film company. Is their love strong enough to get beyond the political climate that threatens to break them up.

As the other members of the dogging club couples Richard (Ian Hallard) and Susan (Tia Dunn), and Sandra (Maria Austin) and Dave (Ed Larkin) swap roles and sexual positions with great dexterity. With the clever guidance of their intimacy director (Christina Fulcher), together they have discovered a language that makes the sex scenes truly work to great comic effect.

At 85 minutes some of the story feels rushed in the later stages with some of the more serious points and stances that the play takes getting a little lost in some of the broad comic moments. However, this is cleverly directed by Kayla Feldman and raises interesting questions that need asking concerning consent and empowerment.


Photo credit: Steve Gregson