Pup Play

Show Age Restriction: 18+ Only. ID will be asked for on the door.

Doors Open: 7:15pm

Show Start Time: 7:30pm

Show Runtime: 1hr

Show Description:

The Town and Gown Theatre is known for bringing in the world's leading lecturers from Cambridge University and abroad to present groundbreaking talks on the issues that matter. Now, for one night only, Professor Handler David will give a queer pseudo-lecture (of sorts) on how to put your puppy bitch boy into a submissive headspace through his system of YELPS (Yes, Eyes, Language, Pitch, Sensation). What follows is a surprisingly introspective and chaotic search for identity featuring audience participation, homonormative puppet shows, kinky gay sex, and erotic musical numbers by American punk artists Jake and the Nowhere, Alan Xtra, and Tungsten Lungs. With a strict 18+ audience restriction, you can expect Pup Play to be the kinkiest, queerest, and most controversial play Cambridge has seen in years.

Noah Alfred Pantano is the writer, director, and star of Pup Play. Last year, his show Standing On A Nail: A Queer Horror Story was the best-selling play of Colchester Fringe and a critical success. Critics praised Standing On A Nail writing that “Pantano’s heart, empathy & understanding for these damaged souls is unimpeachable” (Lost in Theatreland), and in a four-star review British Theatre said it “was very cleverly done… it haunted me” (British Theatre). Pantano is the recipient of the Mastermind Award from Essex Startups, who are helping him to begin his theatre production company. Thanks to that award, Pantano is donating 100% of the artist's profit to local LGBTQ+ charities.

Pup Play was developed as part of Pantano’s Theatre Studies PhD at the University of Essex under the supervision of Sean Seeger and Jonathan Lichtenstein. His research focuses on how to stage non-monogamy and kink & fetish. Pup Play is the first of three pieces, each taking a different approach to theatrical staging.

For more information, please follow us @pupplayplayofsorts

Trigger Warnings:

strong language, sexually explicit adult themes and content, pornographic imagery, nudity, fake bodily fluids, violence, references to hate crimes, suicide, and sexual assault, homophobia, transphobia, audience participation, homonormative puppet shows, sudden loud erotic musical numbers, strobe, and haze.  

Please note: Consent, "yes", is the backbone of the pup play community and our play. Anyone who wishes to participate during the show must sign a consent form and attach a provided sticker to identify themselves to the performer. The show works with or without audience involvement. You can always say no, choose to stop participating at any time, and you will always be informed before getting on stage what the participation entails. You will never be touched without permission nor should you touch the performer.