Swansea's Youth under the Microscope - Little Dogs

Little Dogs

Patti Pavilion, Swansea

National Theatre Wales and Frantic Assembly

Friday 11^th May 2012

Photographs:  Farrows Creative/National Theatre Wales

NTW are already treading on the heels of their recent success The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning with their latest offering – Little Dogs. Whereas Bradley Manning was minimal in terms of set Little Dogs goes whole hog to the other end of the scale. This devised promenade performance was an absolute visual treat. The initial setting in an outdated living room was soon literally ripped apart to reveal a shabby street lined with black bin bags and a rundown boy racer car.

The outstanding cast skilfully weaved their way from the street to disgusting club toilets to a lovers tryst on the beach. Giving a glimpse into the lives of Swansea’s youth as they try to be cool and give us advice on how to pull and avoid being ‘scrutty’. These often out of control youths staged street dance battles (with Darren Evans hilariously puffing away on his asthma pump) and also more delicate scenes about unrequited love. Everything was underlined with strong physical performances and an incredible sound track provided by Hybrid.

Kate-Elizabeth Payne in the nightclub toilets.

Unfortunately the script felt massively underdeveloped in comparison, always leaving the audience trailing around searching for more that never came. The audience were given quick snapshots of these teens’ lives, while they were being silently watched by the ever graceful grandmother figure – Siân Phillips.  Perhaps the most developed character was that played by Darren Evans, an unlucky lad, constantly trying to get in with the gang who seems to be followed everywhere by a pouring raincloud. Kate- Elizabeth Payne also stood out as a loud, ballsy ladette who told us all about why it was a good idea to wear revealing underwear to school.

It was also difficult to pin down the ages of the characters. Were they rebellious 15 year olds testing the boundaries and believing that the way to get a girl was to flash your abs and shout profanities on the sports field? Or were they slightly more cynical 18 year olds who could see the rubbish dump that their lives were headed towards, had they loved and lost, did they have abandoned dreams? Although it is always best to leave the audience wanting more the script was hugely lacking when compared to the brilliantly conceived choreography and staging design. Perhaps this was because it was devised and only very loosely based on Dylan Thomas’ short story ‘Just like Little Dogs’. Whatever the reason this was the only weak link in an otherwise stunning production.

Darren Evans and Sian Phillips in a touchign scene at the bus stop.

This production grabbed you instantly and never let go even for a second. I for one didn’t even notice that the set was being changed behind me I was so involved in the performance. Not for the fainthearted or prudish, this is an honest and hard hitting study of Swansea’s younger generation. Loud, proud and unflinching – another great success.