The West End production of Mischief’s Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy, The Play That Goes Wrong, hosted a special visit from seven guide dog puppies in training at London’s Duchess Theatre. Accompanied by their volunteer puppy raisers, the young dogs stepped onto the West End stage to meet the cast and experience the theatre environment as part of their socialization.
The visiting puppies ranged from 10 months to 17 months old, including golden retrievers, labradors, and crossbreeds named Brett, Eddie, Unice, Val, Kenedie, Seth, and Zadie. The trip provided a valuable training exercise, exposing the dogs to unique sights, sounds, and scents they may encounter alongside future guide dog owners.
Clare Dilkes, Puppy Development Advisor at Guide Dogs UK, emphasized the importance of early exposure to unfamiliar surroundings. She noted that familiarizing puppies with venues like theatres helps them navigate new situations calmly and confidently. Dilkes also highlighted the essential role played by volunteer raisers, urging members of the public with available time and space to consider volunteering with the charity.
In addition to hosting the special training visit, The Play That Goes Wrong will support Guide Dogs UK through bucket collections at the Duchess Theatre. The cast includes Ruby Ablett, Matthew Spencer, Raphael Bushay, Luke Wilson, Lucinda Turner, Alex Bird, Joshua Lendon, and Kieron Michael, alongside understudies Paige Round, Harry Al-Adwani, Tom Quinn, Will Bishop, and Phoenix Edwards.
First staged at The Old Red Lion Theatre before opening at the Duchess Theatre in September 2014, The Play That Goes Wrong continues its long-running West End run alongside international productions in New York and beyond.
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Photo credit: Ellie Kurttz
