22 replies to this topic

[Bad Idea Bear]

I was interested to hear there is a real goat in the cast of The Rose Tattoo.

I have also seen dogs in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and See How They Run and also some doves in The Magic Flute.  

What other real animals have been used in theatre? (sensible replies only please!!)

[M George]

Plenty of ponies appear every Christmas in Cinderella up and down the country.

[Peter]

I was interested to hear there is a real goat in the cast of The Rose Tattoo.

I have also seen dogs in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and See How They Run and also some doves in The Magic Flute.  

What other real animals have been used in theatre? (sensible replies only please!!)

Rats and birds in The Woman in White

[JWC]

There was a dog that practically stole the show in the NT's version of The Shaughran
Bullseye the dog in Oliver!
Felina the cat in Lettice and Lovage
Kitten and a snake in You Can't Take It With You
The bear in The Winter's Tale (real, if legend is to be believed!)
Medieval mystery plays reputedly used all sorts of livestock
The duck in Ducktastic
Dr Doolittle - think there were some real ones mixed in with the animatronics
Parrot in Treasure Island
Wee Thomas the cat in Lieutenant of Innishmore (which even had its own website)

[valleymusic]

There was a dog that practically stole the show in the NT's version of The Shaughran
Bullseye the dog in Oliver!
Felina the cat in Lettice and Lovage
The duck in Ducktastic
Dr Doolittle - think there were some real ones mixed in with the animatronics
Parrot in Treasure Island
Wee Thomas the cat in Lieutenant of Innishmore (which even had its own website)

The dog ("Sandy") in Annie!

[armadillo]

There was a large dog (a wolfhound?) in the recent See How They Run revival that I think was used because it belonged to one of the actors.

Probably the most impressive theatrical animal was Jennie, Houdini's disappearing elephant. Even a goat can't beat that.

Has a real cow ever been used for Into the Woods?

[Monkeyman]

West End Whistle down the Wind (original production) had snakes... they shat everywhere apparently.

[Moose]

Aw. Daphne in Ducktastic. Sod humans, she was a real star.

[smith]

The NT's production of Theatre of Blood had two poodles in it, who apparently were so expensive that they had to get rid of one of the chorus members to be able to afford to have them!

The Crucible's production of Romans in Britain had two huge prehistoric-looking and incredibly smelly Irish Wolfhounds. One of the actors had to give up her dressing room for them - she wasn't best pleased.

[armadillo]

The NT's production of Theatre of Blood had two poodles in it, who apparently were so expensive that they had to get rid of one of the chorus members to be able to afford to have them!

Presumably a fresh pair of trained poodles every night doesn't come cheap...