RSPCA terrier to star on stage

A former RSPCA rescue dog is to star on stage in a theatre production of the hit musical Annie, at the Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare.

Sunny, a seven-year-old Norfolk Terrier x Jack Russell was taken to the north Somerset branch of the RSPCA in 1996 as an unwanted three-month-old puppy.

Once there he was adopted by Gay Probert an RSPCA worker from Kewstoke.

“He came in the morning and went home with me in the evening,” explained Gay. “He is a typical scruffy looking terrier – as a puppy he looked like a Border Terrier but nowadays he looks morelike a Cairn.”

Sunny was put forward for an audition after Gay spotted an advert in a local newspaper appealing for a dog to play the part of Sandy.

Cheryl Watson from the Chelis Theatre said: “Sunny is ideal for the part, he is just the right colour has a shaggy coat and is really easy to handle.”

Sunny has been attending weekly rehearsals since November in preparation for his starring role, which will take place tomorrow (Saturday 15 February) with two performances, one in theafternoon and one in the evening.

“He is such a show off!” said Gay. “He absolutely adores people and thoroughly enjoys himself at rehearsals.”