Paw-fect role for old dog.
A Birmingham or Black Country pet has a chance to appear as part of a major production at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.
Badger, the dog due to tour the country with the Touring Consortium Theatre Company and the Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s new tour of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice And Men, died from old age shortly before rehearsals began.
Now the company is looking to recruit a local, preferably elderly, dog, to appear – one to understudy local dog Arthur when the production opens in Birmingham in February and another to appear in the show in Wolverhampton in March.
A spokesman said: “Most breeds and sizes will be considered, but he or she should ideally look relatively elderly, have the appearance of a ‘working’ dog, and must have a calm temperament. The dog will be on stage for around five minutes in total, alongside Dudley Sutton, who is playing Candy, and will be on a lead at all times. No previous acting experience needed.”
The dog and its owner will be needed from 6-9pm Tuesday, 7-9pm Wednesday-Saturday of the run, and 2-3.30pm for the Wednesday and Saturday matinees. £300 per week will be paid to the dog and its owner.
Of Mice And Men is an American literary classic. It tells the story of two migrant farm workers, bonded by a mutual dependence, a deep affection and an undying loyalty, who go in search of new beginning in the hope of attaining their shared dream: of putting together enough money to buy a small piece of land and building a home. The play opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on 4 – 13 February and at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton from 8-12 March.
Interested parties should apply immediately to Janice Taylor on 0844 5880 848 or janice@touringconsortium.com