Theatre Review: Stark Raven’s Dog Option

Who would have thought so much could happen in a nursing home, from solving a mystery of corruption to building relationships through retelling dreams and they are just a couple of the bizarre activities which unfold at the Grace Valley aged care facility.

Bunbury teacher, playwright and director Les Pearce spent the last five years writing the Dog Option with two Bunbury actors in mind, Sharon Kennedy and Rhys Hughes.

Hughes plays Stewie Dunne a young man who appears to have lost his way in life after dropping out of a university business course to take up volunteer work at the aged care facility.

Kennedy is a new resident at the home who brings out all of Stewie’s insecurities.

She was a high powered business woman who is still finishing up her business affairs while in the nursing home and feels she can offer Stewie advice to set him on the right track, however he thinks differently.

The first thing which instantly grabbed my attention was the onstage chemistry between Kennedy and Hughes.

Their relationship is uncommon in and could have quite easily been a flop if they didn’t nail the onstage connection.

Ruth and Stella Martin (Roslyn Manning) don’t get off to the best start but once Ruth discovers she can use Stella to get information about Stewie, she decides a friendship with her wouldn’t be so bad after all and Stella is not a naive as Ruth first thought.

Ruth’s character is defined through the control she has which others find a little confronting. She gives off the don’t mess with me vibe and quite happily speaks her mind.

Theatre Review