Dogfall

Dogfall is an Australian play written by South Australian playwright Caleb Lewis, first produced in November 2007. Set in World War I, this absurdist play has an anti-war theme.

Plot and themes

The play travels through time with the central characters of Will, a soldier, and Jack, a medic, appearing in bunker and trench warfare in multiple historical wars; with the play linking the events as one long drawn out war.[1] The play begins in 1916, during the Somme.[1] The battle shifts continuously, and the sky continues to fall... Dogfall depicts the absurdity of war; outside it is literally raining cats dogs, and other animals.

The two men are joined by "semi-pacifist" Alousha, and scenes from other theatres of war, notably the Vietnam War, Nanking, London,[2] Guernica, Northern Ireland, Rwanda, and Guantanamo Bay detention camp are portrayed.[3] The plot is absurd but the themes complex and multi-layered.[2]

Original production

The first production of this anti-war play was launched at the Bakehouse Theatre in Adelaide, South Australia from 2 to 17 November 2007. Critic Stephen Davenport described it as a "brilliant play" that was "disturbing and morbidly funny" and "superbly written by Caleb Lewis".[2] US playwright Edward Albee, with whom Lewis had undertaken a two-week workshop, called the play "wonderful".[3]

Cast

The cast comprised:[4][3]

  • Brendan Rock
  • Martin Hissey
  • Joseph Del Re

Crew

  • Director: Justin McGuinness[2][4]
  • Composer: Peter Nielsen[4]
  • Lighting: Nic Mollison[4]
  • Costume & Props: Tsubi Du[3]
  • Publicity: Antje Guenther[3]
  • Produced by: TheimaGen[3]

2016 U.S. production

Dogfall was staged by Iron Age Theatre in Philadelphia, in the United States, in February 2016, directed by John Doyle.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Cofta, Mark (11 February 2016). "Iron Age presents Caleb Lewis's 'Dogfall'". Broad Street Review. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Davenport, Stephen (2007). "Dogfall (review)" (PDF). The Adelaide Theatre Guide. Retrieved 16 February 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Bollen, Jonathan (December 2007 – January 2008). "War at a distance". RealTime (82): 33. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d "Dogfall". AusStage. Retrieved 9 June 2022.