Social Animal

Stephen Papps (“patent mastery…extraordinary” - Theatreview) arrives fresh from a hit Wellington season in this solo tour de force.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks… can you?

Aging actor extraordinaire Joe Quigley is on the brink of filming the twelfth season of hit cosy-crime drama Parks when a single, careless remark shatters his career, marriage and carefully curated public image.

Then a stray greyhound follows him home.

Can Quigley find room in his heart for an ill-disciplined animal with insecurity issues almost as big as his own? As he navigates a growing sense of irrelevance, he’s forced to confront the question he’s spent a lifetime avoiding: who is he without the applause?

Can the colourful community of dog walkers he meets help him rebuild what he’s broken - or will the glittering promise of one last shot at glory send him hurtling towards disaster?

Biting satire and theatre wizardry fuse as award-winning actor Stephen Papps inhabits a rich menagerie of characters - human and canine alike.

“Priceless… wonderful. One out of the box; a winner.”
— John Smythe, Theatreview

“Well written, full of humorous insights and revelations. Glorious!”
— Cate Prestidge, Theatreview

Starring Stephen Papps (Blowing It, Fresh Eggs, Pike River)

Directed by Damon Andrews (Wheeler’s Luck, Timberrr…!)

Presented by Off the leash

Created by Stephen Papps & Damon Andrews

Sponsored by Ewen MacKenzie-Bowie