A Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Named Dashel Performs Standup Comedy

A Blenheim Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Named Dashel performs standup comedy at the Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering England.

Wikipedia: Thought to have originated in East Asia, and possibly acquired by European traders via the Spice Road, early toy spaniels were first seen in Europe during the 16th century. They became linked with English royalty during the rule of Queen Mary I (from 1553-1558), eventually earning their name after being made famous by their association with King Charles II. Ruling from 1660-1685, Charles II owned many small dogs which accompanied him and his entourage about their daily business. Members of the breed were also owned by Queen Victoria (Dash) and her great-granddaughter Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia.

Queen Victoria's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dash was her beloved companion during her -- given to her mother in 1833 and quickly becoming Victoria's closest friend during her isolated upbringing under the Kensington System. He was famously loyal, and she even bathed him herself after her coronation in 1838.

Image Description: Stand-up comedy Stand-up comedy is a performance directed to a live audience, where the performer stands on a stage and delivers humorous and satirical monologues sometimes incorporating physical acts. These performances are typically composed of rehearsed scripts but often include varying degrees of live crowd interaction (crowdwork). Stand-up comedy consists of one-liners, stories, observations, or shticks that can employ props, music, impressions, magic tricks, or ventriloquism. Performances can take place in various venues, including comedy clubs, comedy festivals, bars, nightclubs, colleges, or theaters.

Note that, while my AI image prompt says, "A photorealistic image showing the interior of the lighthouse theatre in Kettering England", the chatbot Copilot says (after I described the image) that this is not what the Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering England looks like. Are there 3 visible balconies? Copilot says, no, it's a single-level auditorium.

The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering is a lively venue with a wide-ranging lineup that makes your choice of stand-up comedy for Dashel feel right at home. 🎤

Here's a taste of what they host...

Stand-up comedy: Regularly features touring British comedians like Chris McCausland and Mark Steel.

Musicals and plays: Productions like Legally Blonde Jr. and Cinderella grace the stage.

Tribute concerts: From Michael Jackson (Michael Starring Ben) to ABBA (Arrival) and Bob Marley (Legend).

Family shows: Including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and seasonal pantomimes.

Talks and variety acts: Ben Fogle's Wild and Nurse Georgie Carroll's comedy show add to the mix.

The theatre seats around 560 people and is known for its excellent sightlines -- so Dashel's cosmic absurdities and satirical punchlines would land beautifully in that space.

🐾 Comedians with Dogs in Their Acts.

Julian Clary famously performed with Fanny the Wonder Dog, a calm, stoic companion who sat on stage while Clary delivered his flamboyant routines. Fanny didn't do tricks -- she was more of a visual punchline to Clary’s persona as “The Joan Collins Fan Club”.

Bernie Winters, a British comic from the 70s and 80s, often included his dog Schnorbitz in sketches and routines. Schnorbitz became a beloved fixture, even appearing in TV shows alongside Winters.

Simon Caine launched the Barking Mad Comedy Club, a dog-friendly stand-up venue where comedians perform for audiences that include dogs. Some comics even bring their own pups on stage -- like Aidan Goatley and his dog Maisie.

Jahnnalee & The Furry Kiddos created a comedy skit series featuring dogs as part of the act, blending stand-up with canine antics and themes like anxiety and PTSD.