A 20 minute interruption and introduction to ring-craft; judging potential agility, temperament and obedience of a class of young pups.

Instructed by ladies in fuzzy green jogging suits with matching pink shoes and flowers in their hair; eight volunteers from the audience are invited to come and stand on a grass green runway. Put into pairs they are told they are about to compete in a ‘dog show’. Each pair is given a team colour and a special bag containing a t-shirt, special doggy head gear a collar and lead. The remaining audience are given voting cards by two special guest judges and asked to vote for the dog they believe to be the best performer in each of 3 classes. The judges interrupt and pass comment on the dogs performance for the duration of the event.

This event was first presented in September 2007 at BIFLTBA (Birmingham International Festival of Live and Time Based Art) at ‘The Edge’ in Birmingham and was then performed as part of ‘emergency’ at Greenroom 2007.

“After an action packed demonstration by the enthusuastic pups, voting cards were collected and counted and prizes were awarded to the impressively obedient animals. The dog in first place just made it with his pants still on - Judge Grimwood noted that wearing designer underwear would not fetch him extra points; but Banjo with his barked rendition of ‘happy birthday’ was not overlooked. On conclussion the show was packed back into the wheelie bone box from which it arrived and the event was over.”

Extract taken from review of event at ‘emergency’

This special event is dedicated to and inspired by EM BURROWS one dog-obsessed friend no longer with us.