Dogs take centre stage for feel-good Croatian play

ZAGREB (AFP) — Stray dogs play a star role in a groundbreaking Croatian show that has won rave reviews for raising awareness about abandoned canines and homeless people.

Director Borut Separovic's "Timbuktu", which premiered in Zagreb at the weekend, is a moving play about social outcasts based on the 1999 novel by US author Paul Auster, who backed the ambitious production.

Separovic took the unusual step of casting a dozen strays from a Zagreb animal shelter, with the main role of "Kosta" (Mr Bones) played by Cap, an eight-year-old champion border collie.

The play consists mainly of a 45-minute monologue by Mr Bones, with narration provided by actor Sven Medvesek, from his chair in the audience.

On the stage, the gifted pooch runs, lies down or barks -- making movements to accompany his "thoughts" about relationships, loss and loneliness in a modern consumerist society.

Mr Bones receives quiet orders from instructor Alen Marekovic in the front row as he recounts the story of his life with his deceased master Willy.

"It's a story that emphasises ... // 76% Remaining