The Dog With Two Dads

A show with songs about two papas and a pooch, celebrating families of every shape and size, and being loved for exactly who you are.

DATE

2022

COMMISSIONED BY

Midlands Arts Centre
for their 60th Anniversary Season

FUNDED BY

Midlands Arts Centre,
Arts Council England,
Birmingham City Council,
Sir Barry Jackson Trust,
Birmingham Pride Community Fund

Ali and Ash are living happily ever after in their teeny tiny flat. Only one thing would make them even happier — the pitter-patter of furry feet!

Even though it’s a big step, they know they’re ready to become #pawrents for the very first time! But to their surprise, not everyone thinks it’s such a great idea…

Come and join Ali and Ash on their quest for puppy love as they battle with burpees at Bradley’s Bootcamp, dodge dangerous ducks with Tina Twitcher and flee from the Pet Shop Boy’s pack of piranhas.

Sprinkled with songs and special surprises, this show about two papas and a pooch celebrates families of every shape and size, and being loved for exactly who you are.

For ages 5+ and their adults.

“Made with heart and care, The Dog With Two Dads is a joy from start to finish, empowering young audiences to be true to themselves and exploring how to embrace those things which might make us different. An original and timely story, beautifully staged and written with humour and joy, the show is a treat for all the family and a great way to spark important conversations.”
— Alex Williams, Participation Producer, Southbank Centre

“Little Earthquake consistently make careful, caring theatre of the highest quality and with the audience always being considered. It’s been a privilege to work with a company who have integrity and care at the heart of what they do. The Dog With Two Dads is a gorgeous, inspired and inclusive show about the need to be true to ourselves and how we all navigate this world on a mission to find happiness and acceptance, whatever that may look like. It’s also got some cracking songs, a great story and a range of hilarious characters to meet along the way.”
— Jo Carr, Performance Programmer, Midlands Arts Centre

“We’re super proud to be a co-producer of this terrific family show, crafted so beautifully and full of humour and joy. Great storytelling that will resonate with many families whose experience of parenthood isn’t always conventional or straightforward. This is a unique and important piece of theatre-making.”
— Deborah Kermode, Chief Executive & Artistic Director, Midlands Arts Centre

CAST

Sun / Simba / Pet Shop Boy / Bradley / Bob | Jake Benson
Moon / Tina Twitcher / Maribel / Clara / Karen | Beth Organ
Ali | Alex Aram
Ash | Olugbeminiyi Bammodu
Ace | Bertie Yarker

CREATIVE TEAM

Director | Gareth J. Nicholls
Writer | Philip Holyman
Composer | Katy Rose Bennett
Set & Costume Designer | Lizzy Leech
Lighting Designer | Sam Waddington
Sound Designer | Danny Warboys
Stage Manager | Elliot Mitchell
Production Manager | Danny Warboys
Producer | Zoë Roberts
Creative Consultant | Alice Warboys
Set Construction | Dan O’Neill at Seedbed Studios
Technical Team at MAC | Lizzie Moran, Tom Moseley and James McArthur
Illustrator | Edd Burnet
Photo documentation | Jess Oates
BSL Interpreter | Liz Smith

PRODUCTION PARTNERS

A Little Earthquake Production

Commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre for its 60th anniversary season

FUNDERS

Funded by Arts Council England through National Lottery Project Grants, Birmingham City Council, Sir Barry Jackson Trust and Birmingham Pride Community Fund

FOR LITTLE EARTHQUAKE

Co-Director | Gareth J. Nicholls
Co-Director | Philip Holyman
Producer | Zoë Roberts
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement | Hassan Hussain

FOR MIDLANDS ARTS CENTRE

Artistic Director & Chief Executive | Debbie Kermode
Performing Arts Programmer and Producer | Jo Carr
Head of Marketing | Simi Obra

THANK YOU

Debbie Kermode, for her massive support of Little Earthquake and The Dog With Two Dads; Jo Carr, Simi Obra, Holly Mulhern, Oliver Smith and the entire team at MAC; Linda Muirhead at the Department of Drama & Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham; Arts Council England, Sir Barry Jackson Trust and Birmingham Pride Community Fund for supporting the creation of the show; Birmingham City Council for supporting the LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement; James, Sarah, Eve and Bertie Yarker; Michelle Smith and the team at Stan’s Cafe; Kay Wilton at Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.