It’s a fish out of water story many in this province will recognize. Two city slickers find themselves in a sleepy little place on the prairies where nothing ever happens. Add in two local farmers, determined to sit on their porch, drink beer and solve the world’s problems and you’ve got a scenario ripe for comedy.

Dogbarked is one of the most celebrated comedies in the two-decade history of Meacham’s Dancing Sky Theatre. Artistic director Angus Ferguson says it was the audience that wanted to see it again. “We did a poll last year and asked our patrons what they’d like to see for our anniversary, this show won hands down!”

Over the years, Dancing Sky Theatre has prided itself on putting prairie stories front and center on the stage. “Most of what we see on TV these days is about urban life,” explains Ferguson. “People from rural Saskatchewan aren’t used to seeing themselves on stage and when they do, they love it.”

“People from rural Saskatchewan aren’t used to seeing themselves on stage and when they do, they love it.”

Dancing Sky Theatre is bringing Dogbarked back to the stage. (Britainy Zapshalla)

The company first staged Dogbarked 15 years ago and since that first production, the show has gone on to successful runs throughout Western Canada. This re-imagining features a new cast but audiences will recognize the staging and story they know and love. “This prairie story has the same attraction as say television’s Corner Gas but this world is a spookier, weirder version that is much more true to life,” says Ferguson. “Most small towns that I know are pretty weird.”

It’s a story about the exploration of rural life and of course there are plenty of laughs. “Our main characters are as funny and as local as you can be, but there’s an underlying tension,” says Ferguson. “It’s that uniquely Saskatchewan conflict of staying in a small town or leaving. It’s quite mythic really.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Dancing Sky Theatre production without the chance to enjoy a meal and a play. In this production chef Ernie Kurtz pulls double duty. After the meal is over, he heads into the theatre to provide the soundtrack for the show.

Dogbarked runs at Dancing Sky Theatre in Meacham, SK (just 40mins West of Saskatoon) May 5 – 21, 2017. The theatre is adding Saturday matinees to this run, as weekends are the first to sell out. “This is a play that once it begins, feels very familiar,” says Ferguson. “I’m anxious to see the audience reaction and how much they remember.”

Tickets are $30 – $57 depending on whether you want to stay for the meal or not. You can purchase them through Persephone Theatre’s box office.

Click here for more information.