Give it a catchier name and the Beijing Young Dramatist Association’s production of Two Dogs could be the inspiration for another talking-animals Pixar movie. Judging by the amount of swearing this play is meant to be for an adult audience, though the frequency of mimed fist-fights and the onomatopoeic cries that accompany each punch give the impression this could be two boys playing pretend in their back garden.
Two Dogs is the story of two canines trying to get to the big city. At least, that’s what the plotline started with. Through their adventures, random poem recitals and many, many dog fights, the point of the play gets a little lost and instead of having a climax, the last few minutes collapse into a rock concert that put the two dogs’ rough voices to good use.
However confusing the plotline may be, the two main actors playing Lai Fu and Wang Cai, have fantastic comic chemistry and are a delight to watch. They seem like an Asian version of the cartoon duo Timone and Pumba, Wang Cai being the earnest, chubby counterpart to his older brother’s rougher, sharper character Lai Fu.
The production is accompanied by two electric guitars and later a drum-kit which are nice additions to the face-pulling, funny voices and multiple Chinese culture references specially made for the heavy presence of Asians in the audience.
If you enjoy cartoons and slapstick humour, this show is one you will enjoy. If you are looking for a straight play with any kind of underlying meaning or developed plot, you’d be better giving this one a miss.
