The Little Dog Laughed
Douglas Carter Beane's satire The Little Dog Laughed ('TLDL') is a fast moving and biting reminder of the hypocrisy of Hollywood in relation to sex. Dianne, is a Machiavellian Hollywood agent,(Tamsin Grieg) Her top client, Mitchell, is very gay and very much in the closet. (Rupert Friend). Trouble and chaos ensures when Michell falls for a rent boy (Harry Lloyd) who also has a girlfriend Ellen (Gemma Aterton). Dianne hatches a plan to buy off Ellen and match her up with Mitchell. What could go wrong? She also has to work on Michell's next project by convincing the script writer to change the leading character from gay to straight. Are you keeping up? Yes, there's a lot going on and it's fun.
TLDL is a reminder to us that the dream factory of Hollywood is still full of sexual hypocrisy and secrecy about the true sexual orientation of leading men and women. We are pointedly reminded that there are still no openly gay leading men on our screens. As a satire on Hollywood, The Little Dog Laughed brings nothing new to the conversation but the performances are strong, the production is well paced and it is a thoroughly entertaining night out at the theatre.
TLDL is a real showcase for Greig's splendid comic talents and she revels in the role of Diane. A real 'tour de force'. Lloyd is engaging as the rent boy with a heart and Friend and Aterton provide solid support to Greig.
Take along your gay best friend and have some champus at intermission for a fun night out in the West End.
Reviewed by Snazzy Shoes
At The Garrick Theatre, London
Directed by Jamie Lloyd
www.garrick-theatre.com
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