Theatre audience goes to the dogs

A shaggy dog story which claims to be the world's first theatre production for canines has been performed at a Glasgow arts festival. Drama company Hopscotch staged its 'Who Stole My Sausage?' play at the city's West End festival in front of a four-legged audience over the weekend.

The production featured sights, sounds and smells designed to capture the attention of doggy theatre-goers. The play was performed six times in Dowanhill Park on Saturday and Sunday.

Just like human theatre, it had tickets, ushers, food and drink, toilets, and a matinee pensioner's performance for dogs over the age of 10.



Writer and director Ross Stenhouse said the play was the idea of festival director Michael Dale, who was inspired by watching dogs and their owners in the park.

Mr Stenhouse added: "He had a flash of genius, and realised that dogs already have their own culture, their own clothes, salons, therapists and food, so why shouldn't they have their own theatre too?"

Mr Stenhouse said: "It was all designed to keep the dogs entertained, so there will be lots of noise, balls and people running about, and a local pet shop handed out special doggy bags to every audience member."