Anna Burnside reviews this year’s Tron summer comedy, a production that balances ‘wit and compassion’.
Ronnie, Albert, Coriander, Fury, Carlos and Rex are out for their daily walk in a Glasgow park. Ronnie, the sole human, struggles to control the other five who are dogs of varying breeds and temperaments.
He has difficulty with more than his improvised dog controlling device, which he has named “the central belt”.
This is a gentle pointer towards one of Ronnie’s defining characteristics - settled in Glasgow but from Edinburgh, he doesn’t think of the west coast as home.
His other sticky stuff is cleverly revealed as he marches the dugs up and down the hill. Until, one day, the central belt falls to bits, his charges escape and one of them digs up something unexpected.
Douglas Maxwell, one of the most skilful and humane playwrights at work today, tells Ronnie’s story with huge wit and compassion. The change of gear from the hilarity of mutt-wrangling to grief and introspection is deftly paced by director Jemima Levick.
Jordan Young’s endearing and emotionally convincing performance is enhanced by Becky Minto’s clever conversation pit set, which pivots from park to living room with the help of Grant Anderson’s evocative lighting. Patricia Panther’s subtle soundscape adds another layer to a deceptively minimal production.
More like this please.
Man’s Best Friend performs at the Tron Theatre until July 12, 2025. It tours Scotland throughout September. For further details, visit the theatre’s website.
Photo by Mihaela Bodlovic.
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