Frankie Finsbury
The concept of attending a stranger’s childhood pet’s funeral sounds utterly horrendous. Sitting through sobbing, wailing, and interpretive dances in memory of said pet is ideally not what I’d want to be doing on a Wednesday evening. And yet, Dog Funeral is all of the above, and yet it left me wanting more!
Having previously found critical success as part of A Night of Drama since 2024, Wohfeld’s debut show demonstrates that she is working with incredible talent and charisma in her own right.
The show begins with an opening-of-Up-style montage of lovingly handmade storybook drawings of the girl and her dog on a screen which is abruptly cut-off by the bleak monochromatic words “DOG FUNERAL” appearing on the screen, accompanied by a suitably harsh funeral bell. And so begins an hour of fun in which the audience is repeatedly drawn in with real heart only to be made to feel stupid for caring in the first place – which is hilarious.
Wohfeld is very adept at weaving these games, encouraging the audience to join in and engage with various parts of the show, only to turn around and reveal that she was playing a prank on them the whole time. A particular favourite moment was watching as an audience member was encouraged to shoot Wohfeld with a water pistol (to simulate tears of course), only for Zoe to pull out a super soaker and drench them. Despite what it may seem, this never feels mean, as Wohfeld is charming and lovely, even when playing a petulant grieving child.
This constant push and pull with the audience brings a poignancy to the sadness within the show, as any time things become too serious, it is undermined with beautiful laughter. The show seems to tell us that it’s okay to be sad about sad things (the death of a pet for example), but let’s laugh at the ridiculousness of it too.
These bizarre vignettes of clowny games are occasionally disconnected which lends the whole show a sort of what’s-gonna-happen-next type of vibe, and there are moments where it’s not clear what the audience was expected to do which could be refined further, but the second that Wohfeld takes charge again, she has the whole room in stitches.
The whole production feels like it has been crafted with real love and attention. This extends to performance, the animations, the set and props, as well as to the merch which includes both a teatowel and a jigsaw puzzle both illustrated by Wohfeld. This all creates a world which I loved living in for the hour, where everything feels very wholesome and sweet… until you’re squirted with a super soaker. If you love clowning, this is the show for you – Wohfeld’s training is evident in her engaging performance which is top-of-the-range and you will want to come back for more!
Dog Funeral is a real treat which is both hilarious, heartwarming, and horrifying – I can’t wait to see what Zoe does next!
Recommended drink: A Pinot Grigio… PLEASE!
Catch Zoe Wohlfeld: Dog Funeral until 30th (not 17th) August at 17:15. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Online Box Office.
Salvador Kent
Hannah Hamilton
