Theatre / Reviews
Review: Dead Dog in a Suitcase, Old Vic
The problem with going to see a Kneehigh production is that if you’ve been to one before, your expectations are sky-high.
From the moment Dead Dog in a Suitcase opened to Punch and Judy, song and live music, the answer was clear.
This is no less than 140 minutes of uninterrupted, in-your-face rock opera brilliance, and has only as much in common with its inspiration, The Beggar’s Opera, as it needs to: a satirical story about recognisable characters.
is needed now More than ever
In the wake of the mayor’s murder by career criminal Macheath (Dominic Marsh), Les Peachum (Martin Hyder) and his hilarious wife (Rina Fatania) vie for the mayoral platform.
With a price on Macheath’s head, the drama unfolds as he escapes the law dodging angry relatives, a string of lovers, and of course dancing babies.
But it isn’t all fun and games. Once Macheath is captured, we see the characters unravel and a dystopic version of the world takes over. The magnificent finale is worth missing the last bus home for.
Of them all, I loved Mrs Peachum, who elicited great delight from the Bristol Old Vic crowd.
Alongside the main cast, a gaggle of puppet characters provided many of the laughs. Other characters were less developed, some of their backstories coming second to the music at times.
Charles Hazlewood describes his creation as a “mongrel score” and in deference to the original opera, it is a hybrid of contemporary take-offs that’ll get stuck in your head.
We’ve come to expect it from Kneehigh, but the talent on stage was still remarkable, with all the supporting musicians gliding between guitar, percussion, brass and vocals.
If only all musicals could be this good.
Dead Dog in a Suitcase is at the Bristol Old Vic until October 25. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/deaddog.html.
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