Over the weekend I’ve been to see the RSC’s production of Henry IV Pt I but I’m going to postpone a post until I can couple it with a review of Pt II as I really want to see how the main characters develop before passing judgement on their presentation. I did think, however, that in an effort to brighten up what might otherwise be a very dull Monday morning, I should draw your attention (especially yours, Briar) to the undoubted star of this season’s RSC lineup, Mossup the Dog.
Mossup is, of course, playing the part of Crab in The Two Gentlemen of Verona. The leading canine role in Shakespeare, it is one that the doggie stars of stage and screen only infrequently get a chance to perform on account of ignorant producers and directors not realising that it has the potential to draw in the audiences in exactly the same way as would a well-known actor agreeing to tread the boards in the role of Hamlet.
To be fair to the RSC, they have recognised the compliment that Mossup has paid them by agreeing to join the company, as can be seen by the fact that they have given him his own blog. You can read about his triumph during the audition process in Exit Pursued by a Pug and his followup piece on the vexed question of To Pee or not to Pee – always a problem, because while every well seasoned canine performer knows that you absolutely shouldn’t, the audience do seem to love it when you do.
For real Mossup fans you can follow him on his dog cam as he prepares for his role in his personalised dressing room. (You will need to follow the dog cam link on the web page for this.) And of course, WhatsOnStage have interviewed him about his experience of treading the RSC boards.
I wanted to take a photo of his dressing room (which of course is distinguished by a very large star and a bone), but someone had rudely parked a car in the way. Perhaps next time I’m there. I shall as well, when I see the production next month, be attempting to get Mossup to paw mark my programme, but I would imagine that there will be hoards of his fans seeking exactly the same thing so I may just have to worship from afar. (Large sigh!)
Well, it’s Monday and we all need something to smile about 🙂
Thinking in Fragments 
Well, you certainly made me smile, Alex. My partner and I are currrently working our way through the boxed set of Frasier. Perhaps you know it already but if not a quick viewing of a Channel 4 repeat will reveal who’s really the star of that show – step forward Eddie.
I’m not a big watcher of television, Susan, so I’m ashamed to say that I have never seen Frasier. However, if there is a dog in it then I will endeavour to put that right. I shall search the Radio Times straight away.
I will be amazed if you don’t fall for Eddie, Alex!
I’m sure I can remember the dog almost stealing the show when I saw David Thacker’s 1991 RSC version (with Richard now Hugh Bonneville as Valentine, and done as a 1930s jazz age production complete with Cole Porter and Gershwin songs.
I don’t want to diss Mossup but I agree with Susanoborness that there is only one superstar canine – his name was Eddie (what was his real name? I used to know).
Moose!
I am really going to have to catch up with this American dog. Does he bark with an accent?
But Frasier is in many ways a very British style of comedy and I can imagine Eddie with an English accent. Do try to catch Frasier – at its best it was magic.
It always does, Annabel. In 1970 Pat Stewart adopted a small black stray from the local dogs’ home and it became part of the family. You could see them together about town all season.
What fun! And how fun it must be for the other actors too to have Mossup around in rehearsals. Nothing quite livens things up like a dog!
Yes, I’m sure you’re right, Stefanie. I bet he gets spoilt something rotten!
Dear Alex,
I is more the sporty type, but it is very good to know that a fellow border terrier is rising to the top of the theatre world, Jack Russell terriers are very nice – some of them are my very good friends but borders is the best!
Love Briar x
p.s. well not a border after all, but a dog with some of my breed’s superstar qualities!
An easy mistake to make, Briar and I agree with you about Border Terriers, I think they are wonderful dogs. My friend Poppy is a Border Terrier and she is just magnificent.
What an inspired idea that blog is, I shall be passing this onto some friends who are currently appearing in an outdoor Shakespeare festival and who have a dog on stage.
Well, you know what they say about never acting with animals, Karen. It appears now that you should never vie with them for publicity either.
As Mossup’s ghost writer, these comments have amused me greatly…..but she is a girl!
As I realised when I actually saw the show!! In my defence I hadn’t realised that the RSC was taking its Roaring Girls season so far as to offer us a cross dressing Crab. Mossup might like to know that the post was picked up in Hollywood and re-posted on the Tinseltown blog. Her fame is spreading far and wide and I’m sure it is only a matter of time before we see her name up in lights. I do hope we will hear how she gets on in Newcastle, although I’m sure she will have the audiences eating out of her paws.