A Dog's Tail | meeting actor robin simpson

Next week, The Last Picture takes up residence in the Weston Studio. It's a poignant, human and heartfelt one man show performed by Robin Simpson as emotional support dog Sam.

We asked him about the challenges of telling this unique 'tail'... 

• What were your thoughts on first reading Catherine Dyson's extraordinary script?

I thought it was one of the best scripts I’ve ever read, to be honest. I absolutely adored it, I thought it was so clever and beautifully written. I just immediately wanted to be a part of it. 

I read it first for a live play reading that we did, just a small excerpt of the script, but obviously I read the whole thing beforehand, and I just fell in love with it. I knew that if it was going to be produced in the future, that I wanted to be called. 

• Can you tell us about the joys and challenges of the role?

There are many of both. Challenges are really that it’s a one person show and I’ve never done one before, so that’s really interesting. It’s also very dialogue heavy, there are no moments where I’m sitting there and using props or doing something physically, there are no breaks, I am constantly talking, so there’s an awful lot of lines to learn! Learning lines is always a challenge, but this might be the most I’ve been asked to learn to be honest.  

The joy is that it’s a wonderful script, the joy is that it’s proper storytelling, which is also what I do for a living, and it is in very much that vain. Also the character Sam is a lovely character to play.  

 • What can audiences expect when they come along?

Audiences can expect to see a play which is quite challenging I think, but it’s also very beautiful, moving, human and touching. Hopefully they can laugh at parts, cry at parts, be shocked, amused and be taken on an emotional journey. It is a beautifully written story.  

• How does it feel to be bringing the production to Bristol Old Vic?

I’m very excited to be coming to Bristol Old Vic! 

I’ve never performed here before, so it’s lovely to visit for the first time and see the wonderful city. It’s very exciting; I’m looking forward to it.