Meet Lossi, the dog star of The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Whisper #187

We caught up with Lossi and her team at a rehearsal for The Two Gentlemen of Verona, to find out more about the life of a dog actor.

Our gloriously silly, 80-minute summer production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, directed by Joanna Bowman, comes to The Other Place on 4 August.

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Lossi, who comes from a family of acting dogs, plays Crab in The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

Joining the incredibly talented human cast is Lossi - a professionally-trained canine performer with impeccable stage manners and a nose for comedy. She takes on the role of Crab, the loyal - and often comically unimpressed - companion of Launce, played by Stu McLoughlin.

We caught up with Lossi, her handler Lisa Hawthorn and her owner Alan Thompson, to dig deeper into the life of a stage-performing pooch.


LOSSI FACTS

Favourite treat: Fresh cooked chicken

Head scratches or belly tickles? Bum and chin scratches

Dog bed or human bed? Sofa during the day and sharing human bed at night

Favourite dog actor: Has to be Mossup and The Littlest Hobo

Age: I don't believe a lady should be asked her age (but I will confess to being 9 years old)

Breed and colour: I am a noble Lurcher and my coat is a beautiful silver with black flecks

Best trick: I do love a speaking role as love the sound of my own bark and do a fantastic whine


1. Lisa, how did you start out as dog actor handler? Have you always worked with dogs?

I had to do work experience while I was doing an animal care course at college. I was extremely lucky to get the opportunity to do it within the theatre industry and I just fell in love with it. Numerous years down the line, and I still absolutely love it. 

2. Alan, we know Lossi is from a family of dog actors - did Lossi always have her sights set on the stage?

It was always Lossi's ambition to play Crab, to follow in the paw-steps of her Aunty Mossup, who played Crab in the RSC's The Two Gentlemen of Verona in 2014and her great Aunty Ria in 2004.

3. Lisa, what does a typical day in rehearsals look like for you?

Working with animals is no different to working with children and adult actors, other than getting through a few more treats! They need rehearsal time to be confident in the acting actions that are required, and to familiarise themselves with their co-workers and - in particular - the actors they are working alongside.

Being live theatre, as a handler we have to hand the reigns over to our amazing actors to be in control of our acting animals while onstage, so it is extremely important for them to form a bond. The most important thing in any typical day is that our animal actor is enjoying what they are doing.

4. Lisa, what are the best and most challenging things about your job?

The most challenging part of my job is being able to turn up and fulfill the expectations of what any director envisions. The best part is when you and the animal are able to deliver that. 

5. Alan, does Lossi have a daily routine to keep acting fit?

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Lossi (Crab) and her co-star Stu McLoughlin (Launce) in rehearsals for The Two Gentlemen of Verona.
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Lossi must learn her moves and cues, just like her human co-stars.

6. Lisa, what are the top skills dog actors need? Do some breeds work better than others?

The top skills of a dog actor are most importantly a good temperament and a good food drive.

All breeds are trainable but all dogs are different and learn things at a different pace and in different ways, just like us humans and unfortunately some dogs just aren't destined to be stage/TV stars - they prefer a quiet life out of the limelight!

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Time for a cuddle break, with the cast of The Two Gentlemen of Verona.

8. Alan, what other work has Lossi done? And is Mossup retired now?

Lossi has appeared in numerous commercials, films and theatre productions over her 9 years. She has always been Mossup's understudy and now is her time to shine.

Mossup is now 16 and enjoying her retirement. She enjoys sharing her wisdom and knowledge she gained over her 15 years in TV, film and theatre.

9. Lisa, what advice do you have for aspiring dog actors/handlers?

Don't expect to learn everything instantly. Every day is a learning day and you'll continue to learn things throughout your whole career, whether you've done it for one year or ten.

Every job is different, every animal is different and every person you work with is different, so no job will be exactly the same. And most importantly, enjoy every second of it!


The Two Gentlemen of Verona plays at The Other Place from 4 - 31 August 2025.

FIND OUT MORE

Roger Morlidge extending his hand towards Mossup the grey dog
Mossup - Lossi's auntie - previously performed in our 2014 production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, with Roger Morlidge as Launce.
Photo by Simon Annand © RSC Browse and license our images

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