Dog Man: The Musical, the off-Broadway originating stage adaptation of Dav Pilkey's wildly popular graphic novels, has landed at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall for a limited summer run. Directed by Jen Wineman, this indie production leans into its lo-fi origins, delivering a charming and heartfelt show that prioritises the series' signature silliness over spectacular staging. The musical, written by Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander, is clearly designed for existing fans, with little effort made to win over newcomers – a strategy that pays off for its target audience of young readers and their families.
Meta framing and garage-band charm
The production cleverly taps into the meta framing of Pilkey's books, presenting the story as the creation of George and Harold, the high-school protagonists from the Captain Underpants series. In the Dog Man graphic novels, these characters barely appear, but here they are practically the leads, staging their tales using junk from a garage. This framing device, played with endearing wholesomeness by Ricardo Mendes and Peter Lavery, cheerfully acknowledges the show's budget constraints while adding a layer of charm. It also takes the pressure off Dog Man himself, played with puppyish delight by Renan Teodoro, whose only lines are barks, functioning more as a hype man than a traditional lead.
Pacing and song quality
The show's assuredness that its audience already knows the plot can be a double-edged sword. Some scenes feel rushed and garbled, such as the escape of the villainous Petey the Cat, played enjoyably by Sam Kipling, on helium balloons – a moment that breezes by so quickly that even fans may need to recall the books to follow the action. The songs, including Flippy the evil fish's soul number and Petey's 'Evil ABCs' ('A is for Annihilation'), are pleasant but not spectacular, and there are relatively few of them. The production, which originated in smaller New York venues, feels somewhat exposed on the Queen Elizabeth Hall's stage, nearly double the size of its previous homes. This creates a desire for West End-style bells and whistles, not just for value but for clarity in the larger space.
Heart over spectacle
Despite these shortcomings, the show is a lot of fun and clearly made with love. It is not a cynical cash-in on a popular IP; the creators' affection for the source material shines through, and young Dog Man fans will feel it. The production runs 1 hour 40 minutes, with tickets priced between £27 and £57. It is a great summer holidays afternoon out for families, even if it doesn't reach the heights of a full-scale West End production. According to Time Out's review, the show is 'charming and it's done with heart', earning a 3 out of 5 stars rating.
Performance schedule and venue details
Performances at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank, London SE1 8XX, run from 5 to 16 August 2026, with matinee and evening shows. The venue is accessible via Waterloo tube station. The show's run includes performances on weekdays and weekends, with 14:30 and 18:00 start times. The production's limited engagement makes it a must-see for devoted fans of Pilkey's work, offering a unique, intimate take on the beloved characters.
