REVIEW: DEAD DAD DOG by John McKay at Finborough Theatre 3 - 28 October 2023

‘enjoyable and laugh out loud’ ★★★

The first London production in 35 years of John McKay’s DEAD DAD DOG, was originally programmed as a double bill with its sequel SUNNY BOY. Sadly, due to cast illness, it is not possible to stage Sunny Boy during this run.  Whilst this is a loss, for those who haven’t seen the original it is a wonderful opportunity to catch up.

Eck is about to go to an interview, nervously building himself up, when in walks his dad. Not so unusual perhaps, except that Willie has been dead for twelve years. After getting over the first shock, Eck discovers that they are connected and he cannot move very far away from his dad, so where he goes, Willie must follow. Not only can Eck see the ghost of his father, but others can as well; something to explain in your interview and hilarity ensues. Very many other comic situations arise from the strangeness of Eck no longer being a child,  bath time and meeting the girlfriend being just a few, it’s also a nifty scenario for showing how times have changed. It shows both the change in their relationship, but also how life has moved on in twelve years with new trends, mores and products.

There’s a wonderful scene involving food, in which dad is confused by broccoli and crème fraiche. “Cream fish” he asks. Would he like “parmesan or pecorino? Scottish cheddar cheese it is then”.   There are also some moving scenes in which Eck regresses to his childhood and dad is there to comfort him. Not so wonderful, was the mime necessary in this minimalist production. It was very soft and thrown away, which means it’s difficult to recall even one item that was used; maybe there were bath taps, or cups or doors. Some weight to these items could in themselves be used to give more weight to the play or be used for their comedic value.

This is where we really miss having the opportunity to see the sequel,  as these piffling details would be nothing to worry about. SUNNY BOY might have brought us up to date with much more material from the now older (and wiser?) writer, John McKay. If his early play delved into his own life for material, perhaps the follow on would also be as fresh as the original must have been in its day.   It is something to be curious about and to look forward to seeing in the future.

In the meantime, DEAD DAD DOG, having to stand alone, seems to miss a few opportunities for pathos. In the final scenes, it’s clear that Eck wants his father to depart.  Whilst this makes sense if he’s been living without him for 12 years, somehow the journey of how he got to that point is missing. Where is the thrill of seeing dad again, the curiosity, the excitement in the sharing of events that any dad would like to see; the first girlfriend, the important new job. At which point did Eck begin to see his ghost father as not invited and undesirable. Surely, this is a big moment or a slow dawning, but it was glossed over.  Finally, the parting. There was ‘a moment’ in the show, as dad departed, but more of these reflections would surely enhance the show’s connectivity to its audience.

The play wasn’t designed to stand on its own and this must be where it hasn’t reached its full potential, but going solo, it is still enjoyable and has laugh out loud performances from Angus Miller as Eck and Liam Brennan as Willie.   We can only hope that there will be another opportunity to produce the double bill as it was first intended. 

Read our interview with John McKay here

 Photos by Lidia Crisafulli

DEAD DAD DOG by John McKay

Finborough Theatre

3 - 28 October 2023

Box Office https://finboroughtheatre.co.uk/production/dead-dad-dog/

Presented by Old School and Stories Untold Productions

Reviewed by Heather Jeffery