After playing Windsor and Bath Ben Weatherill’s gentile British play opens at The Other Palace with a 2-week extension already announced! This very personable exploration of the relationship between two men entering later life is a charming watch.

Weatherill’s script really brings to life the British aptitude for the unsaid to be overwhelmingly loud. The sedate pace of the third age is present throughout without becoming tiresome.The fact that the young playwright started off his career in small scale pub theatre really benefits the intimate feeling of the writing and we find ourselves getting drawn into the world of Frank & Percy, two older men who bond after meeting on Hampstead Heath with their dogs.

This two-hander has many characters that arrive onto the stage fully formed despite two only ever being visibly present. I defy any audience not to bond with Bruno and Toffee, the canine glue that holds this show together.

Roger Allam, brings an understated charm and believability to Frank who constantly seems to be growing into his skin throughout the vignettes of the relationship which we see.

McKellen proves himself to be the consummate professional, having the audience in his hand for much of the crowd-pleasing humour. Both actors’ performances breathe life into some of the most overused platitudes and one-liners and allow the dialogue to still come across with a believable humour.

The progression from strangers to friends to partners feels organic and it feels a privilege to be carried along on the ride as the two men discover more about themselves.

After the interval there is the occasional fourth wall break, that although humorous feels somewhat out of place in this delightful world we are viewing through a secret window into our main characters lives. Some of this feels like a hangover from McKellan’s fantastic recent outing at Mother Goose- a show that could not be more contrasting!

Special mention should be made for Morgan Large’s deceptively simple timber set which transports us from location to location with ease, and a back-piece which is very reminiscent of 16:9 film (reminding us of quintessential British calm comic feel of films such as Quartet, Philomena, The Lady In The Van etc).

At times this shaggy dog’s story delivers humour and pathos without becoming saccharine. It passes the time most pleasantly and evokes the British love for the underdog (or indeed any canine friend!). With a tendency to meander along, touching on many subjects, this character study leaves us wishing for more but content with the evening, nonetheless.

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