Toss of the tiara, flick of the tail

Calling “Major Tom”, seen at Summerhall as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a one-woman show is probably not politically correct. After all, sharing the stage with Brighton-based playwright and performer Victoria Melody was a charming Basset Hound named Major Tom. Although he didn’t do much except sleep and occasionally rise to eat his treats whenever summoned, he won the audience’s hearts from the moment he walked on stage and fittingly for the title character, maintained his strong presence throughout the performance.

David Bowie fans know that apart from being a fictional astronaut character, Major Tom also refers to an altered state of consciousness. Accordingly, Melody, after commenting on how lazy he is, told us that following Major Tom’s miserable failures on the dog show circuit – he apparently always comes in last – she decided to become a contestant in beauty pageants. She had been crowned Mrs Brighton and was on her way to the Mrs UK heats while Major Tom on his way to the world’s most prestigious canine contest Crufts – two parallel plots that invited the audience to compare and contrast.

With the help of dramaturg Paul Hodson, Melody’s scripted monologue was well timed with the documentary video footage. The fact that she’s performing with a dog, and not a professional human thespian, helped keep the performance fresh and she, as well as the audience, were ready for any miscues. 

The show was simple and matter-of-fact yet filled with jokes that Melody delivered as if for the first time. Perhaps the most surprising line was when she revealed that the criteria for both competitions, especially on how beauty is judged, are actually quite similar. Even more hilarious were video excerpts of how both woman and dog prepared for the contests, particularly in their respective beauty salons.

Melody also taught us a very important lesson – that beauty and happiness lie within oneself and we never have to compete with anyone in that regard.

Major Tom also made me think of my 14-year-old, a 27-kilogram Spitz named Cyndi. She now sleeps about 18 hours a day, but that means she’s always up waiting for me when I return home almost at midnight when we run around the lawn.  The idea of entering her into any contest is out of question – she refuses to leave the house.

“Major Tom” is another performance that should receive support to travel here, a country where stray dogs roam the streets while posh pooches grace the contest stage and where numerous beauty pageants are held year-round. The fact that Major Tom also has his own passport makes me smile every time I think of him.

 

The writer’s trip to Edinburgh Showcase was supported by the British Council.