Martin is an older queer human. Lucky is a Border Collie-Lab cross. And they’re profoundly bonded with each other across that species divide.
But when Lucky answers the call of the wild and disappears one sunny afternoon on Walthamstow Marshes, Martin’s summoned on a quest that brings him face to face with the teachers at the Virginia Woolf Dog Training Academy, in a fantastical series of encounters from Stepney Green to Russell Square and Putney Heath.
Features appearances by bisexual American author Jack London with his canine creation Buck! Queer English rebel J.R. Ackerley with his ideal doggy friend Queenie! And – in theory at least – Virginia Woolf herself and Pinka, the Cocker Spaniel gifted to her by Vita Sackville-West at the height of their affair!
Directed by Sean Ting-Hsuan Wang (NO I.D., Vaults Festival / Royal Court Upstairs, 2023).
Tobi King Bakare and this theatre deserve a shout-out for such a young, diverse audience. There is so much talk about audiences being full of over 60s and why, why can’t theatres get the crowds in to reflect society in general? Well, I’m happy to say that on a rainy Thursday evening, the theatre was completely full.
Caiti Grove on Before I Go in CPT's Spring 2023 season London Theatre Reviews
