'Songs To My Dog At Midnight' is a 22-minute monologue with a few songs, written and performed by Janet Cost-Chretien, and presented online as part of this year's Edinburgh Festival.
We see a slightly dotty, perhaps also slightly inebriated young woman (who reminded me slightly of a much younger version of Hyacinth Bucket), chatting about her day to her dog. One was never sure whether or not she believed the dog to be real, the dog was supposed to have been real, or she knew she was talking to a cuddly toy dog; but whatever the case it was a stuffed toy. Rita, (in Educating Rita) chats to her wall - so here Janet chats to her dog!
The story recounts a wedding, the family and guests, a walk up the Brecon Beacons, sexual encounters which could have been; and although the monologue starts in familiar acerbic comedic vein, we watch as her bitterness turns to regret, and her regret, to tears.
The story recounts a wedding, the family and guests, a walk up the Brecon Beacons, sexual encounters which could have been; and although the monologue starts in familiar acerbic comedic vein, we watch as her bitterness turns to regret, and her regret, to tears.
The songs again, are self-penned, and are very much in the Country / folk style. Her vocal qualities reminding me of Tammy Wynette; but the songs much more comedic and owing a debt perhaps to Victoria Wood.
With each vignette there is a change of hat or fascinator, for the dog as well as her. But that is the only change in this very statically recorded piece. For a piece of theatre to be produced online, then I would have expected more than a simple purple velvet piece of material and a static camera. Simplistic and minimalist in the extreme.
With each vignette there is a change of hat or fascinator, for the dog as well as her. But that is the only change in this very statically recorded piece. For a piece of theatre to be produced online, then I would have expected more than a simple purple velvet piece of material and a static camera. Simplistic and minimalist in the extreme.
However, Cost-Chretien provides us with a solid 20-minute diversion from life and her delivery is nicely measured.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 23.8.21
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