Young Martin is a misfit. Bullied at school and misunderstood at home, his only comfort comes from sneaking off to the family coal shed to bond with his German Shepherds, Major and Rex. When things reach breaking point, the 13 year old runs away from his home in Limerick and is taken in by a new family – a pack of stray dogs. As they dodge trains, steal meals and fight for survival, Martin finds himself on the road he was always meant to take.
Based on the best-selling memoir, this rough-and-tumble tale fuses shadow puppetry, live music and stunning physical performance to bring Martin McKenna’s epic true story to the stage.
Beautifully adapted by playwright Amy Conroy, The Boy Who Talked to Dogs is a magical and mischievous tale of transformation, redemption and what happens when the underdog finds his pack.
Content Advisory
Contains themes of domestic family violence that may be upsetting to some audience members.
Developed with the assistance of Draíocht Blanchardstown
'an absolute delight and a show that will warm the hearts of young and old alike'
Based on Kaurna Meyunna Country, Adelaide, Slingsby was founded in 2007. The company is internationally renowned for emotionally powerful storytelling for an intergenerational audience, aged 8 and up. Slingsby’s wholly original Australian productions draw audiences into magical theatrical realms, through immersive experiences and exceptional stagecraft.
Slingsby has an international reputation as a distinctive and cherished company with seasons at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals and venues. Ten of Slingsby's original productions have now toured across Australia, USA, Canada, Singapore, China, India, Norway, UK, Ireland, New Zealand.
As a celebrated ambassador for Australia’s creativity, Slingsby has received many accolades including four Ruby Awards, a Helpmann Award and the IPAY Showcase Victor Award. A brace of industry awards is testament to the company's renown for excellence in theatre making and lifelong impact on the lives of audiences of all ages.
The education resources below were prepared by Slingsby to accompany The Boy Who Talked to Dogs. You can use these resources to prepare for your visit to Baboró, or as an enriching way to reflect on the performance after you attend.
Venue | Black Box Theatre, Galway
View venue details, accessibility and transport options here.