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, humorous, 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 chracter 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. Oliver’s alter ego, a chimpanzee called Twist, is played so well by Lee Farrell, who is also visually impaired. Leonie Frazier is Karen the trainer from Guide Dogs, and her physicality when playing guide dogs is 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 YouDog).

This play 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.

The journey is educational, inspirational and ultimately joyful. A guide dog brings back the confidence and joy of living that visual impairment diminishes.

Cast:

Giles Abbott

Leonie Frazier

Lee Farrell

Tej Brindley

Creative team:

Roderick Dungate - Playwright and Director

Joe Harmston - Director

Tim Hodgson - Producer

Jasper Mattel - Company Stage Manager

Alex Marker - Set Design

Dan Clarkson - Sound Designer and Operator

Tom Briggs and Richard Wetherall - Composers