
Fifteen Dogs
Now on stage at Toronto's CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street

Credit: Dahlia Katz. Pictured: Dan Chameroy
Joe Szekeres
“Exceptional ensemble work that is imaginatively quirky, yet refreshingly epic in scope in this ‘leash on life’.”
Based on André Alexis’s Fifteen Dogs (I’m still reading it), Marie Farsi’s adaptation occasionally sounds like an epic Greek poem. Sometimes, the characters stand immediately to the side of the plot action and narrate information to the audience. Judging from the initial look at Julie Fox’s visionary and inventive design of a Toronto city park, the initial visual look appears grander than real life. Even the hydro poles and sky appear larger than life.
Farsi cleverly directs the production - for her, imagination is the key to making this story come alive. ‘Fifteen Dogs’ is wordy, and there are moments where it’s easy to get lost if one is uncertain which dog is speaking.
The audience must also use its imagination to transport itself to seeing things from a creature’s point of view. Thank goodness costume designer Julie Fox chose not to clothe the characters in the same style as ‘Cats.’ The actors might wear a particular piece of clothing denoting who they are in the dog pack. The rest of the time, the actors wear regular daily clothing. David Meshia’s crystal-clear sound design of TTC streetcars whipping by is quite good. Imogen Wilson’s shady lighting design creates an ambience that does not appear to be of this world we know.
We meet the gods Hermes and Apollo (Mirabella Sundar Singh and Tyrone Savage), who place a bet after a few rounds of drinks at Toronto’s Wheatsheaf Tavern. They grant fifteen dogs staying overnight in a veterinarian’s office human consciousness and the ability to use language as they choose. Why? Apollo states that if a creature is given the ability to think like a person, it would lead to a worse life. The dogs escape from the vet’s office and begin to make a new life for themselves.
Nevertheless, be prepared that not everything ends happily for these dogs who have been given this new ‘leash on life.’
What follows is an understanding of the art of survival in life, sometimes from a human perspective and a canine.
With little I know about dogs' pack mentality, I understand the canines can sense there is a leader among them. In this case, the pack's leader is Atticus (Tyrone Savage) once the dogs break free from the veterinarian’s office. Another ‘top dog’ within the pack is Majnoun (Tom Rooney). His story becomes fascinating to watch as he is adopted by Nira (Laura Condlln) and Miguel (Stephen Jackman-Torkoff). Majnoun is called Jim by the couple.
Savage and Rooney deliver exceptional performances on stage in these two specific roles. Sometimes, they tilt their heads, like dogs do when they hear a sound that perhaps the human ear cannot detect. In other moments, Savage and Rooney sit on the stage with their hands curled, like dogs do with paws.
I was also intrigued by the story of Nira, Miguel, and Majnoun. This was the section where I stopped in the book before seeing the play. Condlln and Rooney seemed to embrace a synergetic connection, especially when Nira discovered that the canine could communicate in English. Condlln’s astonishment and disbelief at first in learning about Majnoun palpates with intensity, and she wonders if she is hearing what she does. And yet, when she finally buys into this ‘miracle’ of being able to understand ‘Jim/Majnoun’, it’s magical to watch the two of them interact with each other.
Other cast members deserve commendation for making me suspend my disbelief and feel like I was observing dogs rather than watching humans pretending to be them.
Dan Chameroy’s endearing Benjy ponders and asks essential questions about life and existence that promote discussion after the curtain comes down. Stephen Jackman-Torkoff’s Miguel does not care at all for Jim/Majnoun. Some of the looks Torkoff gives toward Rooney and his in return made me laugh out loud. Mirabella Sundar Singh plays a variety of other dogs.
I’m usually one for talkbacks after seeing theatrical productions. Even though I will sit with my thoughts about what I’ve just seen, sometimes it is advantageous to hear other thoughts about the show.
If there are talkbacks for ‘Fifteen Dogs,’ I recommend staying to learn more. It’s one of those shows that deserves another look.
Now, off to finish the novel.
Running time: approximately two hours and 20 minutes with one intermission.
‘Fifteen Dogs’ runs until February 16 at the CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street, Toronto. For tickets: mirvish.com or call 1-800-461-3333.
MIRVISH presents the Crow's Theatre and Segal Centre Performing Arts production of ‘FIFTEEN DOGS’
Adapted and directed for the stage by Marie Farsi.
Based on the novel by André Alexis
Set, Props and Costume Design: Julie Fox
Lighting Designer: Imogen Wilson
Composer and Sound Designer: David Meshia
Stage Manager: Tara Mohan
Performers: Dan Chameroy, Laura Condlln, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Tom Rooney, Tyrone Savage, Mirabella Sundar Singh.

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