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Dog Man: The Musical review: Is this bonkers, cartoon-inspired show worth seeing with kids?

Dav Pilkey’s hilarious graphic novels leap off the page in this energetic musical packed with catchy songs, silly jokes and some seriously impressive performances. But will it entertain grown-ups as much as children? We took two young Dog Man fans to find out.

dogman the musical actors dancing on stage

Published: October 13, 2026 at 3:21 PM

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Dog Man: The Musical at a glance

What is Dog Man: The Musical about?

©Mark Senior. Renan Teodoro as Dogman

©Mark Senior. Renan Teodoro as Dogman

If, like me, you haven't read Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man graphic novels, the premise might take a little explaining. Imagine a policeman and his dog getting blown up, with only the man's body and the dog's head surviving the accident. Stitch them together and, voilà, you have Dog Man: a crime-fighting hero who is part man, part dog and, apparently, all hero.

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It's completely bonkers, but then so are the books.

In Dog Man: The Musical, best friends George and Harold decide to write a musical about their favourite superhero. Meanwhile, Dog Man is busy fighting crime, trying to catch Petey, the world's most evil cat, and saving the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings.

It's a lot to take in, but the good news is that you don't need to know the books to follow the action. My son was able to give me a quick introduction before the curtain went up, but the show is perfectly enjoyable without any previous knowledge of the characters.

Of course, if your child is already a Dog Man devotee, there are extra treats to look forward to as familiar characters and storylines make their way onto the stage.

Is Dog Man: The Musical good for kids?

Absolutely. My son was laughing within about five minutes, once he'd got over the slightly surreal experience of seeing his favourite cartoon characters played by actual humans.

The humour is firmly aimed at primary school-aged children, with plenty of silly jokes, physical comedy and the sort of bodily-function gags that will have younger audience members in stitches. The audience around us was full of excitable children, many of them boys, and the laughter started early and continued throughout.

There are plenty of jokes for grown-ups, too, including little asides that fly over children's heads, so you're unlikely to find yourself simply watching the clock while your child has all the fun.

One of our favourite moments was the scene in which Dog Man is stitched together. The boys also particularly enjoyed the reveal of the robot's very long name, that forms the acronym ADHD. It's this sort of gleefully ridiculous humour that makes the show feel so true to the books.

There are quieter, more heartfelt moments among the chaos, too. Beneath the silliness, the story has a lovely message about kindness, compassion and trying to be a better version of yourself. It gives the show a little more substance than a succession of jokes about bottoms and sniffing.
<h2">What is the staging and music like?

Dogman musical set

©Mark Senior

For me, one of the biggest highlights was the way the production made the graphic novels feel as though they had leapt straight off the page.

The set is bright, colourful and full of movement, with clever props and staging that look as though they've been fashioned from the pages of a comic book. Rather than trying to make everything look realistic, the production embraces the cartoon aesthetic, creating a wonderfully playful, yet flimsy world that feels instantly recognisable to fans.

It's a clever way to bring a graphic novel to life, and the constantly changing scenery and inventive use of props help keep the action moving. Even if you're unfamiliar with the books, it's hard not to appreciate the creativity involved.

The performances were another big surprise. The cast sing and dance with enormous energy, and the songs are catchy, upbeat and full of life. We hadn't heard any of the music before our visit, but several numbers had us tapping along, and the sheer stamina required to maintain that level of energy throughout the show was impressive.

©Mark Senior. Rebecca-Jo Roberts as Lil' Petey and Sam Kipling as Petey

©Mark Senior. Rebecca-Jo Roberts as Lil' Petey and Sam Kipling as Petey

Our standout performance was Sam Kipling as Petey, the villainous cat. His singing voice was genuinely beautiful, and even my son commented on it. He also brought a wonderfully funny quality to Petey, making him a memorable character as the villain begins to discover his softer side.

Renan Teodoro was equally impressive as Dog Man. His character doesn't speak, so he has to convey everything through movement, expression and barks. Somehow, he manages to contort his face into an uncannily convincing dog-like expression (I was getting basset hound vibes!), creating a character who feels completely alive without saying a word.

It's a testament to the cast that the show works so well as a musical, rather than simply feeling like a comic book adaptation with a few songs thrown in.

Is Dog Man: The Musical suitable for children who haven't read the books?

Yes. You might miss a few references if you're not familiar with the characters, but the central story is easy enough to follow, and the visual humour does a lot of the work.

For existing fans, however, seeing familiar characters and moments recreated on stage is a real treat. It was lovely listening to the boys afterwards as they discussed which parts they recognised from the books, and the show definitely reignited their enthusiasm for the series.

It's also a great choice for children who are beginning to discover graphic novels. The production celebrates the anarchic, imaginative spirit of the books rather than trying to tone it down for the stage.

Is Dog Man: The Musical a good introduction to theatre?

I'd say so. At around 90 minutes, the show feels like the right length for younger audiences, with enough variety to keep things moving without overstaying its welcome.

The audience was full of giggling, excitable children, which made for a very different atmosphere from a more traditional theatre production. There was no sense that everyone had to sit perfectly still in silence, and the cast responded warmly when children laughed or whooped at unexpected moments.

That relaxed, playful atmosphere makes it a particularly appealing first musical for children who might be unsure about sitting through a live performance.

It's worth remembering that this is a deliberately loud, lively and slightly chaotic production. If your child prefers quieter shows or is easily overwhelmed by energetic performances, it may not be the best fit. But for children who love physical comedy, colourful characters and plenty of silliness, it's likely to be a hit.

Is Dog Man: The Musical worth seeing?

It's a completely mad show, and you may leave feeling as though you've had a slight out-of-body experience. But that's part of its charm.

The production captures the chaotic energy of Dav Pilkey's books brilliantly, with inventive staging, energetic choreography, catchy songs and a cast who clearly know how to bring these larger-than-life characters to life.

I particularly liked that it wasn't just an endless stream of jokes. The moments of tenderness and the message about kindness give the story an emotional heart, while the performances make it an entertaining watch for adults as well as children.

Most importantly, we came away talking about the show and the books, with the boys keen to revisit their favourite stories. For me, that's a pretty good sign of a successful family theatre trip.

If you have a Dog Man fan at home, I'd definitely recommend booking tickets. And if your child hasn't discovered the books yet, this could be just the thing to get them started.

Where can you see Dog Man: The Musical?

Dog Man: The Musical is on tour throughout the UK and you can find tickets and further information at dogman.live.

Upcoming tour dates

2026

2027

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Further 2027 dates are expected to be announced. Check dogman.live for the latest tour information and tickets.

Authors

journalist and two young kids sat on a bench in France for a review of Eurocamp

Hollie BondSenior Digital Journalist

Hollie is Senior Digital Journalist at MadeForMums. She writes articles about pregnancy, parenting, child health and getting pregnant. She has written for a number of national lifestyle magazines and websites over the past 12 years including Family History Monthly, You and Your Wedding and Muddy Stilettos. She has two children aged 5 and 8 and hasn't slept since 2017!

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