Dog wanted for starring role in romantic opera

An award winning opera director is on the hunt for a dog to star in a production of La Bohème.

Ellen Kent is searching for a well-behaved, small to medium-sized dog for the performance at Bournemouth Pavilion on 14 February.

Ms Kent has featured numerous animals in her opera productions, including horses, eagles and donkeys.

She said the dog's owner must be willing to go on stage in costume and look after their pet.

The opera will be performed by the Ukrainian Opera and Ballet Theatre Kyiv, with international soloists, chorus and full orchestra.

The successful dog will appear alongside the character of Musetta in the romantic masterpiece by Puccini.

Ms Kent said: "I do everything I'm told not to do but it always works - I've had a horse on stage in the Pavilion.

"Every opera I do, I look for the opportunity to lift the opera into what I think the original composer wanted.

"I've had a dog in Bohème for many years - it lifts the whole stage up.

"We have this huge carnival scene, we have people on stilts, we have snow, the whole shebang.

"We are looking for a little dog, not too small, who is a very friendly and disciplined dog."

Ms Kent asked interested dog owners to send a photo of their pet.

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