THEATRE: ANNA ROBI & THE HOUSE OF DOGS

Barking dogs set on a backdrop of slapstick, sex and domestic tension – Anna Robi & the House of Dogs is not for the faint hearted.  While some may love this brash, uncouth, Kath and Kim-style piece, those who prefer the classics should definitely stay away. This is comedy at its most grotesque, set in a house full of phone sex, dog shit, bed wetting and the odd pubic hair. Playwright Maxine Mellor and director Iain Sinclair have left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Stephanie Smith plays the slow-witted daughter, Anna, who has forged a phone ‘friendship’ with social outcast, Rodger, played by Dean Mason.  She lives in a claustrophobic house full of in-bred dogs and shares a bed with her sick, controlling, suburban mother, played by Jeanette Cronin. They live in a ludicrous world of limited possibilities. Anna dreams of taking her relationship with Rodger to the next level but first she needs to get rid of her mother for the night. The ending is as unexpected and sordid as its lead-up. This is a play that is well done for its genre – those who love slapstick and fart jokes will no doubt love this play, others may leave feeling a little overwhelmed.

Until Dec 12, The Old Fitzroy Theatre, 129 Dowling St, Woolloomooloo, $21-35, rocksufers.org