DOG/ActoR



A DOUBLE-BILL OF STEVEN BERKOFF


BOOK TICKETS

About THE SHOW.



Two explosive and comedic short plays written by Steven Berkoff, performed back-to-back by the same one actor.


The first play: DOG follows a day in the life of a racist football hooligan and his beloved pitbull terrier, Roy, who changes his life. The second play: ACTOR is a spoken word monologue which delves into the heart of the acting industry, humorously and poignantly portraying the trying life of a struggling artist.


Without the use of any set or props, DOG/ACTOR presents a masterclass in physical theatre and comedic storytelling, promising a thrilling theatrical experience.





BEST CAMDEN FRINGE SHOW



- OFF WEST END AWARDS 2023 (OFFIES)



★★★★★



"Dog / Actor is a simple equation: 1 actor + 2 plays = a triumph of the theatre of imagination... An explosive, exhilarating hour of pure theatre"



- THE RECS



★★★★★



"Truly a masterclass in both physical and comedic theatre ... Smith gives an outstanding full-on “in yer face” performance.
This is excellent and absorbing theatre – not to be missed!"



- NORTH WEST END



★★★★★



"Tour-de-force... Riveting and stylish... There is plenty in Smith’s performances which you cannot find in Berkoff’s words. What you will take away from Dog/Actor is Stephen Smith’s inimitable talent."



- BROADWAY BABY



★★★★★



"An exceptional example of Berkovian theatre ... Original, entertaining and one to watch. Stephen Smith is a hurricane of talent and his delivery of Dog/Actor is not to be missed."



- EVERYTHING THEATRE



★★★★



"A mesmerizing and highly physical performance"



- BATH FRINGE HUB



★★★★



"Vivid, heightened and grotesque"



- VARSITY



"A unique and memorable theatrical experience"



- CAMBRIDGE INDEPENDENT



★★★★



"Intense, minimalist and unforgettable"



- THE CAMBRIDGE CRITIQUE



★★★★



"Under an hour – but they both pack a lot in"



- THE REVIEWS HUB



★★★★



"A tour-de-force of mime"



- PLAYS TO SEE



★★★★



"A flawless showcase of mime & physical storytelling"



- FRINGE BUSCUIT



★★★★



"Very physically demanding, and left the audience wanting more"



- LONDONTHEATRE1



CAST & CREATIVES:



STEPHEN SMITH



Actor / Director



steven berkoff



Playwright



michael blundell-lithco



Associate Director



scott le crass



Associate Director



Production History





DOG was first performed in 1993
ACTOR was first performed in 1985

Our double-bill production was first performed in 2018.

OCT 2018

- Pump House Theatre (as part of WatFringe Festival)


FEB 2019

- Tristan Bates Theatre (as part of Six Plays One Day)


APRIL 2019

- The Junction, Dubai

- Lion and Unicorn Theatre, London


OCT 2019

- Watford Palace (as part of WatFringe Festival)


MAY 2022

- Hope St Theatre, Liverpool


JUNE 2022 - Rondo Theatre (as part of Bath Fringe Festival)

- New Wimbledon Theatre (part of FromTheFringe)

- Macready Theatre, Rugby


JULY 2022

- Corpus Playroom, Cambridge


AUG 2022

- Etcetera Theatre (as part of the Camden Fringe)

- Greenside Infirmary St (as part of Edinburgh Fringe)


SEPT 2022

- Monday Show School, Malaysia


SEPT 2023

- Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts

- Quarry Theatre, Bedford

- Teateret, Norway



DOG/ACTOR GOES INTERNATIONAL (1)





After presenting DOG/ACTOR as part of SIX PLAYS ONE DAY - our annual short play festival - we were approached by a theatre based in Dubai called the Junction Theatre.


They had heard great things about the show and decided to fly Stephen out to Dubai to perform the show to the local actors at their fantastic theatre, based in Alserkal Avenue.


As Stephen flew alone with one suitcase that contained all the props and costumes, we realised how tour-able the show was and immediately started booking a UK tour of DOG/ACTOR for 2020.



FUNDRAISING FOR THE TOUR



Despite it being a 'show in a suitcase' and it consisting of a a one-person touring team, we knew from experience that touring is not easy and we had to raise a specific amount to make it happen.


We created a Kickstarter campaign and managed to reach our target - check out our campaign and video (shot by our filmmaker collaborator, Arron West).


go to kickstarter



MEET MY INVISIBLE DOG!
PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP





As part of our 2020 UK Tour, we wanted to offer a physical theatre workshop when travelling around the country.


Stephen was sponsored by the Edinburgh Fringe Society to develop a workshop aimed for young children called 'Meet My Invisible Dog' - where he visited several Edinburgh-based schools in January 2020.


The students and teachers loved the workshop, which is now available for bookings on our theatre in education page. Read more about the workshop and teacher testimonials via the link below:


find out more

DOG/ACTOR GOES INTERNATIONAL (2)





After touring DOG/ACTOR in 2022 to schools and theatres across the UK, the show was then programmed for a short run at a studio space in Malaysia.


Monday Show School not only booked the show, but Stephen was able to conduct workshops with the local actors.



DOG/ACTOR GOES INTERNATIONAL (3)





In 2023, Dog/Actor was won an Off West End award for Best Camden Fringe show of 2022. This then spurred on another string of performances, including another international run in Norway.


Teaming up with Kanon Produksjon, we toured the show to Kristiansand and also conducted several mime and physical theatre workshops with the local actors at colleges and Universities.



the junction (DUBAI), shri photography:



WATFORD PALACE, CAT HUMPHRIES PHOTOGRAPHY:






enquiries@threedumbtheatre.com