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Bridget, a Chihuahua, is back on stage with the Scottish Opera in their latest production, Don Pasquale. The tiny dog has a small but important role in the closing moments of the comic opera, which involves Bridget dressed up as a cat, much to the delight of the audience. Her owner, Denise Symon, reveals, “Scottish Opera contacted us last year to say they were staging a revival of the show, and would Bridget like to take part. We immediately put it in the diary. They’re such a nice company to work with.” Bridget first played the part a decade ago and Denise says that “all we can do is make sure they (the dogs) have good temperaments and keep them relaxed, but dogs will be dogs.”
Bridget is not new to the world of performing arts. Her grandson and daughter are both backstage with her in the dressing room, where Rita serves as Bridget’s understudy. Her daughter, Charlotte, co-starred with actor Paul Mescal in a music video for Phoebe Bridgers. Denise remarks, “It was written and directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge [creator of Fleabag] – who was so taken with Charlotte she wanted to make a film with her.”
Baritone David Stout, who shares the stage with Bridget in Don Pasquale, is delighted to work with her. David says, “I love animals, always have done, and a long time ago I was a trainee safari guide in Botswana, so for me it’s fairly natural. We’re very lucky to have such a well-behaved little lady as Bridget, who comes on in the closing scene.” Other than the challenge of training Bridget, there’s the risk of doggy mishaps. Denise accepts this, saying, “They’re dogs, we can train them, but we can’t control them.”
After the show, fans gather at the stage door to wish Bridget well and shake her paw. Denise signs her out with three tiny pawprints, ready for a late dinner in preparation for her next performance. Bridget is to join the Scottish Opera for the rest of the Glasgow run and then go on tour in Edinburgh, Inverness, and Aberdeen. Denise remarks that Bridget’s motivation for being on stage is for the snacks and that they must “show them (the dogs) it’s a good positive place, and that they like everyone they’re working with and they get rewarded.”
Bridget may have a small role, but she’s surrounded by her family, and her love for performing is evident. She doesn’t get fazed by the audience, and Denise adds that Bridget has been known to close her eyes and calm down in her owner’s arms while waiting to perform. Finally, as the curtain draws on Don Pasquale, Bridget takes a well-deserved bow to rapturous applause from the audience
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