Review: Puppies of Penzance

I recently visited the “Puppies of Penzance” dog show at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival (LARF) in Hammond. While blending dog agility, pirate-themed fun and audience participation, the performance was entertaining, enjoyable and perfect for families attending the festival. 

Upon entering the festival’s English village, complete with pirates and the delicious smell of roasted turkey legs filling the air, the “Puppies of Penzance” dog show stage was perfectly situated in the woods near the lake. The host dressed in full pirate attire greeted us all with an animated “ahoy me hearties!” and introduced the performance.

While there was plenty of fun to be had at the festival, the dog show also showcased fun skills. Each dog demonstrated several impressive feats, including one dog jumping through a brightly lit hoop, one dog retrieving a pirate treasure chest prop, and one dog remaining remarkably stable on a small platform as he walked the plank of the pirate ship. The host kept up a rapid pace so the crowd was always seeing something new happening on stage. It was apparent that the skills and performances were well practiced. One festival goer pointed out, “They love performing every day, that's the fun for them.” The dedication to their craft definitely raises the performance level of this act.

Also, the prior theme was effectively seen throughout the performance with props, including a pirate-themed treasure chest and skull and crossbones flags. Each dog wore a mini pirate sash as the host performed pirate-themed dialogue and commentary. All of these elements created a cohesive unit for the act.

The strength of the show was how it incorporated the audience in an interactive manner. Younger attendees were encouraged to participate by holding props, cheering on the dogs and receiving high-fives. As soon as the dogs went out to meet the young participants, they were able to connect immediately with the performers. This type of interaction is particularly important in a festival environment, and the performance was able to incorporate this engaging aspect very well. Viewers of all ages found themselves having fun due to the host’s engaging comments and the precious pups.

“Puppies of Penzance” provided a local opportunity to view an exciting show. The addition of dogs performing a pirate-themed show added to the novelty of the event, but what really took the performance to the next level was the host’s ability to provide it in an entertaining manner.

While the show performed exceptionally in many areas, a couple of aspects of the show needed to be revised, in my opinion. The middle of the show lacked a bit of energy as the pups showed off a few of their iconic tricks on repeat. The outdoor acoustics occasionally overpowered the host’s commentary, which means the viewers seated further back in the crowd could sometimes hear cheering from another show. A slight change in the sequence of tricks and possibly improved sound quality would elevate the show from being excellent to exceptional.

Overall, the “Puppies of Penzance” dog show at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival is a clever and enjoyable performance that rates extremely well and is engaging. If you’re looking for a unique stop to add to your festival visit, this act provides a strong combination of relevance to the theme and enjoyment, whether you’re visiting the festival with children, meeting friends or simply exploring the festival grounds.