Some would say that Imelda Staunton – Harry Potter actress, three-time Olivier Award winner and West End extraordinaire – is the most celebrated cast member in current hit musical Gypsy.
Others – and one West End performer in particular – would bark, quite literally, at such a suggestion.
Enter Chowsie, the performing pooch currently treading the boards with all four paws in the Chichester Festival Theatre transfer of Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne’s 1959 musical tale about burlesque entertainer Gypsy Rose Lee. Not since The Wizard Of Oz’s Toto has the West End had such a notorious canine musical star.
Staunton may have more awards than Chowsie has hairs on his back (well, almost) but she even has to bow down to the haughty hound, apologising for eating his dog food and bringing DentaStix at his beck and call.
Welcome to the world of the West End’s biggest diva. Watch our video above to experience a day in the life of the drama-creating doggy.
Gypsy is taking part in Kids Week, our annual promotion offering a free child’s ticket for every full price ticket purchased for performances in August. For a child-free trip to the show or for performances from September you can book tickets through us.