Toby-Dog-Savage
Toby-Dog-Savage is the second play in the Punch trilogy - three contemporary plays that are inspired by the characters, spirit and themes of the traditional Punch & Judy play.
The character of TOBY within the traditional Punch & Judy play is described as a loveable circus dog befriended by Punch who then beats, starves and finally feeds the poor animal human flesh. Punch's abuse of Toby turns the innocent little dog into a savage beast. Punch in effect makes the dog in his own image.
TOBY-DOG-SAVAGE takes this basic premise and tells the contemporary story of a young man who is gradually turned savage by adult characters and the circumstances that ensnare him.
On a deeper level the play collides the worlds of boxing and dog fighting to probe a Punch-like attraction to violence as blood sport and entertainment.
The character of TOBY within the traditional Punch & Judy play is described as a loveable circus dog befriended by Punch who then beats, starves and finally feeds the poor animal human flesh. Punch's abuse of Toby turns the innocent little dog into a savage beast. Punch in effect makes the dog in his own image.
TOBY-DOG-SAVAGE takes this basic premise and tells the contemporary story of a young man who is gradually turned savage by adult characters and the circumstances that ensnare him.
On a deeper level the play collides the worlds of boxing and dog fighting to probe a Punch-like attraction to violence as blood sport and entertainment.
TOBY-DOG-SAVAGE was developed with the kind support of Operating Theatre Company - Writers Block
Running Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (possible interval)
Cast: Stan (male: 55) Victoria (female: 45-50) Toby (male: 17) Loren (female: 17/18) Jakes (male: 68-70) Charlie Jakes (male: 45-50)
Tristan Bates Theatre, London
Actors: Stan - DAVID HOUNSLOW. Victoria - WENDY MORGAN. Toby - FREDDIE MACHIN. Loren - SARAH STONE. Jakes - ANDREW NEIL. Charlie Jakes - NIGEL COOKE.
Director: David Tucker
Set in a small town in South Yorkshire where the under-the-radar economy is run by the local heavies – the Jakes’ family. TOBY-DOG-SAVAGE is a coming-of-age story about a boy TOBY (17) growing up in the shadow of his ex-boxer father, amid the thwarted dreams of his mother and within a society where violence gets you respect. The story, laced with dark humour, dog fighting and moments of fantasy, tracks Toby’s development from aimless youth to cunning and vengeful young man.
Running Time: 1 hour 20 minutes (possible interval)
Cast: Stan (male: 55) Victoria (female: 45-50) Toby (male: 17) Loren (female: 17/18) Jakes (male: 68-70) Charlie Jakes (male: 45-50)
Tristan Bates Theatre, London
Actors: Stan - DAVID HOUNSLOW. Victoria - WENDY MORGAN. Toby - FREDDIE MACHIN. Loren - SARAH STONE. Jakes - ANDREW NEIL. Charlie Jakes - NIGEL COOKE.
Director: David Tucker
Set in a small town in South Yorkshire where the under-the-radar economy is run by the local heavies – the Jakes’ family. TOBY-DOG-SAVAGE is a coming-of-age story about a boy TOBY (17) growing up in the shadow of his ex-boxer father, amid the thwarted dreams of his mother and within a society where violence gets you respect. The story, laced with dark humour, dog fighting and moments of fantasy, tracks Toby’s development from aimless youth to cunning and vengeful young man.