Seeing With My Dog by Roderick Dungate, Sense Touchbase Pears | 22 April 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Ashok Patel

Photo credit: Tim Hodgson

Seeing With My Dog

by Roderick Dungate

Sense Touchbase Pears | 22 April 2026

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Review by Ashok Patel

“Depth, inspirational with very funny humour.”

Seeing With My Dog is written by Birmingham based poet and playwright Roderick Dungate, who also co-directs the play with the highly experienced director Joe Harmston. Roderick is visually impaired and this play is a semi-autobiographical account of his journey after successfully applying to Guide Dogs for a guide dog. The play is multi-layered, poignant, humerous, and emotional. The set is purposely minimal and the play relies entirely on the script, the actors and the soundscape. The writing is wonderful, at times poetic and the talented cast play their mulitple roles with great passion.

The central character is Oliver is played with great intensity and authenticity by Giles Abbott, who is himself visually impaired. Tej Brindley plays Oliver’s guide dog, Jason, with great energy and skill. He plays Jason’s mannerisms, movements and expressions superbly well and has great comic timing. Oliver’s alter ego, a chimpanzee called Twist, is played so well by Leo Farrell, who also has visual impairment. Leonie Frazier is Karen the trainer from Guide Dogs and plays several guide dogs. Her physicality and versatility are a joy to watch.

All the actors play guide dogs at various times, signified by wearing bells around their necks and there are some hilarious scenes where they meet on zoom as members of the British Guide Dogs Association (the meetings are recorded and can be viewed on YouBone!).

This play, with its talented cast and creative team, shows the emotional impact of sight loss and the complex skills that are needed to use a guide dog with depth and humour. It shows the intense training and difficulties in learning to work with a guide dog. It also shows the lasting love and trust that is built between the visually impaired person and their guide dog over time.

A guide dog is invaluable in bringing back the confidence and joy of living that visual impairment clearly diminishes. The journey is educational, inspirational, emotional, humorous and ultimately joyful.

Creative team:

Roderick Dungate (Playwright and Director)

Tim Hodgson (Producer)

Joe Harmston (Director)

Jasper Mattel (Company Stage Manager)

Alex Marker (Set Design)

Dan Clarkson (Sound Designer and Operator)

Tom Briggs and Richard Wetherall (Composers)

Lucy Glassbrook (Movement Director)

Actors:

Giles Abbott

Leonie Frazier

Lee Farrell

Tej Brindley