It’s A Dog’s Life – Bruiser On Tour

Touring, it’s a dog’s life – especially for a dog. So as Legally Blonde the Musical sets off to paint the UK pink this summer, Elle Woods’ trusted canine companion Bruiser has left no bone unturned to make sure everything is to his liking on the road.

Arguably the most inaccurately named Chihuahua on the planet, Bruiser has been a total crowd pleaser in the West End, where he even has fans queuing up at the Savoy stage door to meet him. Perhaps it’s seeing so much pink in one place but rarely does a show prompt such a chorus of ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ from its audience. And if there’s one entrance that gets the loudest cheer of them all, it’s when Bruiser scampers on. Listen carefully and you’ll even hear it on the Original Cast Recording.

Just as nobody was prepared for what a phenomenon Legally Blonde the Musical would become, likewise no one guessed that Bruiser would be its biggest star. Not even his trainer Cindy Newman. “That old adage about working with animals and children – it’s safer not to, especially in a live show,” she says. “But Legally Blonde really wouldn’t be the same without Bruiser.”

Newman’s consultancy, Animals Galore, is one of the oldest and most respected in showbiz, established in 1967 when the family pet, a bullterrier named Butch, landed the dream role of Fagin’s dog in the feature film of Oliver! Newman never looked back (despite previous ambitions to be a vet) and now trains animals of all shapes and sizes for stage and screen, even the dog in the recent Oliver! revival at Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

As soon as plans for a UK production of Legally Blonde were floated, Newman was brought on board, catching the first plane out to New York to see the show on Broadway. “I knew the film, of course, but wasn’t sure how involved the dogs were until I found out the US trainer had spent six months training them up,” she says. “Then I realised they must be doing some pretty special stuff.”

Newman’s hunt for potential Bruisers – several dogs share the role at any one time – began as soon as she landed back in the UK. The biggest challenge: the Chihuahua problem. “Training works on the basis of rewarding good behaviour with treats but Chihuahuas haven’t got huge appetites,” she says. “They don’t particularly want to please and are also easily offended, sensitive souls.”

Much like actors, you could say. And when it came to casting the tour, the dogs needed to be even tougher. So don’t tell Elle, but the latest Bruisers are cross-bred with Jack Russells. “The dogs have got to cope with a new venue every fortnight and Jack Russells are a bit more tenacious,” explains Newman. “They are not so easily put off by things and also a lot greedier, which helps! I’m looking for temperament over looks. If they jump all over me when I meet them, it’s a good sign. I don’t mind boisterous. It’s the quiet ones that sit in the corner that aren’t going to work.”

As an honorary member of Elle’s Delta Nu sorority, Bruiser needs to bond with the girls from day one. “The dogs have to feel comfortable around the cast so I bring them into rehearsals and let everyone make a fuss of them,” says Newman. Her only rule: no one feeds them titbits except Elle and Margot. Unlike on a film set, where the trainer is usually just behind camera, these two characters have to direct Bruiser live on stage, using a mixture of hand signals, vocal cues and tasty treats: from cat biscuits to cooked liver.

“So I really need those actresses to engage with the dog, to stroke him and say ‘Hello, pretty boy’ eyeball to eyeball,” says Newman. For some, this process is easier than others. “Sheridan Smith (London’s first Elle) loved the dogs and the dogs absolutely worshipped her. She used to take them home for sleepovers. But sometimes you’re training the actress how to behave around the dog as much as the other way round.”

Newman often tests new recruits by popping them into Elle’s bag in the final courtroom scene. Routine is also key and even more so on tour. Animals Galore has booked digs for the dogs in each new city, often out of town where it’s easier to go for walkies. Day begins with breakfast and bath time. That evening’s Bruiser (and understudy) are picked, walked and taken to the theatre for 5.30pm, where they head straight to their dressing room.

In London, Bruiser’s Boudoir is a glorified cupboard, but Newman has bagged better rooms for her brood on the road with room for two trainers, two dogs and a huge rail of pink, sparkly doggy outfits and leads. Not for nothing has Bruiser inspired a canine clothing line called Urban Pup! After another run around in the nearest park, it’s down to the stage for barking practice and bonding time with Margot and Elle, before getting into position for the show opener, ‘Omigod You Guys’.

Nothing prepares for first night nerves. “We do a run-through with all the Delta Nu girls and the rest of the cast in the auditorium whooping and clapping, just to get the dog used to the fact there’s an audience out there,” says Newman. “But however much you rehearse you can’t recreate the atmosphere of a live show. I get Bruiser ready, he runs onto his mat, turns round to see the audience and thinks: ‘Where did that lot come from? OMIGOD!”

Bruisers come and go but the new touring cast – real names Pringle, Pepsi and Breezer – are hoping to match the best of the best in London: Jojo. “He’s the marketing boy and can do it absolutely perfectly,” sighs Newman. “Duncan James (the original Warner) loved him and Sheridan would stand in the wings to watch his first scene, then leg it down to be on the lift in time for her big entrance.”

Other four-legged stars have been known to slip up. “One dog did a wheel spin before jumping onto Elle’s bed and totally missed his mark,” Newman recalls. “The stage is quite slippery and sometimes their little legs can’t take it.” But a founding member of the Animal Consultants and Training Association (ACTA), Newman makes animal welfare top priority on the show and keeps a close close eye on the well-being of her wards.

What do the Bruisers pack in their away bags? Quite a list, says Newman. “First, their brushes, shampoo and conditioner.” Not two-in-one. What would Elle say? “No, definitely not! We use baby shampoo in case it gets in their eyes.” Add to that nail clippers, poo bags, towels for drying off on rainy days, loads of bedding and toys, and the bag is easily twice the size of the dog.

Do they ever get homesick? “No because they are with the trainer, someone they love and trust. They have to enjoy it or it doesn’t work – it’s all about positive reinforcement. Plus they love being told how clever they are!” Dogs can be divas too, then. “Oh yes. “Whoever comes in from work always trots in like they own the place! But I’ve never done a show that’s got such a good atmosphere. It feels like a party every night – even for Bruiser – and I think that shows on stage.”