# Dogfall

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Play written by Caleb Lewis

***Dogfall*** is an Australian [play](/source/Play_(theatre)) written by [South Australian](/source/South_Australian) playwright [Caleb Lewis](/source/Caleb_Lewis), first produced in November 2007. Set in [World War I](/source/World_War_I), this [absurdist play](/source/Theatre_of_the_absurd) has an anti-war theme.

## Plot and themes

The play travels through time with the central characters of Will, a soldier, and Jack, a medic, appearing in bunker and trench warfare in multiple historical wars; with the play linking the events as one long drawn out war.[1] The play begins in 1916, during the [Somme](/source/Battle_of_the_Somme).[1] The battle shifts continuously, and the sky continues to fall... *Dogfall* depicts the absurdity of war; outside it is literally raining cats dogs, and other animals.

The two men are joined by "semi-[pacifist](/source/Pacifist)" Alousha, and scenes from other theatres of war, notably the [Vietnam War](/source/Vietnam_War), [Nanking](/source/Nanking), [London](/source/London),[2] [Guernica](/source/Bombing_of_Guernica), [Northern Ireland](/source/The_Troubles), [Rwanda](/source/Rwanda), and [Guantanamo Bay detention camp](/source/Guantanamo_Bay_detention_camp) are portrayed.[3] The plot is absurd but the themes complex and multi-layered.[2]

## Original production

The first production of this anti-war play was launched at the [Bakehouse Theatre](/source/Bakehouse_Theatre) in [Adelaide](/source/Adelaide), [South Australia](/source/South_Australia) from 2 to 17 November 2007. Critic Stephen Davenport described it as a "brilliant play" that was "disturbing and morbidly funny" and "superbly written by Caleb Lewis".[2] US playwright [Edward Albee](/source/Edward_Albee), with whom Lewis had undertaken a two-week workshop, called the play "wonderful".[3]

### Cast

The cast comprised:[4][3]

- Brendan Rock

- Martin Hissey

- Joseph Del Re

### Crew

- Director: Justin McGuinness[2][4]

- Composer: Peter Nielsen[4]

- Lighting: Nic Mollison[4]

- Costume & Props: Tsubi Du[3]

- Publicity: Antje Guenther[3]

- Produced by: TheimaGen[3]

## 2016 U.S. production

*Dogfall* was staged by [Iron Age Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iron_Age_Theatre&action=edit&redlink=1) in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), in the United States, in February 2016, directed by [John Doyle](/source/John_Doyle_(director)).[1]

## 2025 Canberra production

*Dogfall* was brought back to Australia by the [National University Theatre Society](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_University_Theatre_Society&action=edit&redlink=1) at [Kambri Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kambri_Theatre&action=edit&redlink=1) in May of 2025, directed by [Isaiah Prichard](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Isaiah_Prichard&action=edit&redlink=1) and [Jessi Gooding](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jessi_Gooding&action=edit&redlink=1). The cast included Natasha Lyall, Sam Odgers and Belinda Lawrence, and received a positive reception from audiences.[5][6]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-philly_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-philly_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-philly_1-2) Cofta, Mark (11 February 2016). ["Iron Age presents Caleb Lewis's 'Dogfall'"](https://www.broadstreetreview.com/articles/iron-age-presents-caleb-lewiss-dogfall). *Broad Street Review*. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-davenport_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-davenport_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-davenport_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-davenport_2-3) Davenport, Stephen (2007). ["*Dogfall* (review)"](http://www.theatreguide.com.au/current_site/reviews/pdfs/2007_dogfall.pdf) (PDF). The Adelaide Theatre Guide. Retrieved 16 February 2008.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-rt2007_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-rt2007_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-rt2007_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-rt2007_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-rt2007_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-rt2007_3-5) Bollen, Jonathan (December 2007 – January 2008). ["War at a distance"](https://www.realtime.org.au/war-at-a-distance/). *[RealTime](/source/RealTime)* (82): 33. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-ausstage_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-ausstage_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-ausstage_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-ausstage_4-3) ["Dogfall"](https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/72580). *AusStage*. Retrieved 9 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Butler, Ashleigh. ["Thoughtful Production Reverberates with Current Conflicts"](https://canberrayouththeatre.com.au/dogfall-review-ashleigh-butler/). *Canberra Youth Theatre*. Retrieved 28 August 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Breen, Jade. ["Raining Cats, Dogs, and Bullets. Dogfall, a frightening scaffold for humanity"](https://canberrayouththeatre.com.au/dogfall-review-jade-breen/). *Canberra Youth Theatre*. Retrieved 28 August 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dogfall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogfall) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogfall?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.