This autumn, EnActe Arts will present the UK premiere of Tate Elizabeth Hanyok’s comedy ‘Dog Mom’ at Southwark Playhouse Borough, exploring themes of reinvention and unexpected companionship.
This autumn, EnActe Arts, America’s largest national South Asian theater company, will present the UK premiere of Tate Elizabeth Hanyok’s offbeat comedy Dog Mom in London. The production, centered on themes of reinvention and unexpected companionship, will run at Southwark Playhouse Borough as part of the National New Play Network’s Rolling World Premiere.
Dog Mom follows Sarita, an Indian American woman in her 50s, as she rebuilds her life after a divorce. Leaving her marriage and suburban New Jersey home behind, she moves into a small Brooklyn apartment. Determined to embrace her independence, Sarita aims to start anew on her own terms, seeking a life that is organized, controlled, and free of complications.
The last thing Sarita wants is the responsibility of caring for a dog. However, when she reluctantly takes in an older stray temporarily, she is drawn into the unfamiliar world of dog parks, opinionated pet owners, and an endlessly affectionate dog that quickly becomes devoted to her. As the dog breaks down her emotional walls, Sarita discovers unexpected friendship and community through her outspoken neighbor, Nell, and other dog owners, finding meaningful connections just when she needs them most.
The production employs a playful theatrical style, with actors portraying both human and canine characters. Instead of relying on puppets or realistic dog costumes, the cast brings the dogs to life through their performances. The actors capture the dogs’ instincts, unwavering loyalty, and joyful energy, creating a theatrical world where canine behavior offers a humorous, surprising, and deeply moving perspective on divorce, vulnerability, and human connection. As Sarita’s emotional defenses begin to fall, the play explores what it means to start over in midlife, rebuild trust after heartbreak, and find companionship in unexpected places.
Writer Tate Elizabeth Hanyok expressed that she created the comedy to foster laughter and bring people together during a time of deep social division. “In increasingly fraught times, the play looks toward one of the few remaining points of near-universal affection—our relationships with our pets—as a way to restore community and mutual recognition,” she said. Hanyok emphasized the importance of humor as a vehicle for inviting audiences into collective release, empathy, and belonging.
Another significant inspiration for Hanyok was the lack of middle-aged women at the center of contemporary comedies. “As a writer committed to female-driven comedy, I wanted to center a woman in the midst of a midlife reckoning,” she stated. The play also reflects the reality that many women do not become mothers, which Hanyok views as a lived truth deserving of dignity and narrative space. Through humor and compassion, Dog Mom affirms that “womanhood, fulfillment, and worth are not singular paths, but many.”
In addition to the comedic elements, Hanyok has collaborated with the production team to make subtle changes that reflect Sarita’s South Asian diasporic identity, adding greater cultural specificity to the play’s exploration of family expectations, belonging, and life after divorce.
Produced by EnActe Arts, Dog Mom is part of the company’s commitment to creating more opportunities for South Asian artists and stories in contemporary theatre. Over the past 12 years, EnActe has grown into America’s largest and only national South Asian theatre company, producing more than 40 shows, with over 80 percent of them being new works.
The production is directed by Ajay Chowdhury, whose career spans theatre, literature, and technology. He is the Artistic Director of Rented Space Theatre Company and has authored the bestselling Kamil Rahman crime series. Chowdhury was part of the early team that developed the music recognition app Shazam.
In an exclusive interview with Meera Kymal of India Currents, Vinita Sud Belani, Artistic Director of EnActe Arts, shared insights into the company’s new international production. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Belani explained that the collaboration with Riding Lights and the inclusion of Dog Mom in the Southwark Playhouse season was a serendipitous journey that began when playwright Tate Hanyok approached her after they met at the National New Play Network (NNPN) conference. Intrigued by the script, Chowdhury applied to several high-profile theatre venues, with Southwark Playhouse being his first choice. After three months, they expressed interest in adding EnActe to their season.
Belani noted that becoming a member of NNPN is a significant milestone for EnActe, as it solidifies the company’s status as America’s largest professional theatre company focused solely on South Asian perspectives. She highlighted the rigorous application process and the importance of producing new works, which EnActe has consistently supported through festivals and development assistance.
Regarding the adaptation of Dog Mom to reflect Sarita’s South Asian identity, Belani mentioned that while the modern Indian woman shares many experiences with women worldwide, the nuances of Sarita’s character—such as her name, cultural references, and mannerisms—add depth to the story. The play explores the complexities of an Indian woman married to a white man and the challenges she faces in her journey toward independence.
As for the unique choice of having actors portray animals rather than using realistic representations, Belani explained that this decision was made to capture the essence of dogs, emphasizing their human-like qualities of love, trust, and loyalty. The play aims to explore the deep connections between humans and their pets, showcasing how these relationships can mirror ideal human-to-human companionship.
Belani also revealed that she will be performing the role of Sarita, marking a return to her acting roots. She expressed excitement about portraying a character that resonates with her own experiences and the universal themes of love and companionship that Dog Mom embodies.
Looking ahead, EnActe Arts plans to bring Dog Mom to U.S. audiences, with performances scheduled for the Bay Area in March 2027 and Houston in September 2027. Belani emphasized the play’s relevance and the joy it brings, stating, “This is the play we need at this moment—funny, endearing, heartwarming, and renewing our faith in humanity one woof at a time.”
Performance Dates: 14 October – 7 November 2026
Press Night: Friday, 16 October
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough, London
For tickets, visit: southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/dog-mom/
According to India Currents.