Pup Play is a kinky play (of sorts) in support of our community that both shocks and surprises.
Every year, theatres and fringe festivals worldwide invite our leading lecturers to give groundbreaking talks on the issues that matter. Now, at your local theatre, Professor Handler David will present a queer pseudo-lecture (of sorts) on how to put your puppy bitch boy into a submissive headspace. What follows is a surprisingly introspective and chaotic search for identity featuring audience participation, homonormative puppet shows, kinky gay sex, and erotic musical numbers. The show is unabashedly kinky and in-yer-face comedy (of sorts) with an unapologetic “heart as big as Clifford the Big Red Dog.” (Broadway World)
With a strict 18+ audience restriction, you can expect Pup Play to be the kinkiest, queerest, and most controversial play of the year anywhere it performs. Pup Play has raised over £1000 (so far) for LGBTQ+ charities including the WR1 Foundation, LGBT+ Health and Wellbeing Scotland, and the University of Essex’s LGBTQ+ Students Union. The show features music by Jake and the Nowhere, Alan Xtra, and Tungsten Lungs.
During most of Pup Play’s run, the show faced much homophobia, including posters torn down, angry emails, and a strict warning not to flyer on the street in fear of the high potential for hate crimes. This has only fueled Pantano’s drive to continue this production. The show, behind its BDSM imagery, is an introspective, somber, and hopeful look into queer identity and fighting against homophobia. As the play continues, the comedy facade slowly fades to reveal a heartbreaking and realistic look into modern queerness. The play demands we all do more for our community and be unapologetically ourselves.
“So there I was, down on all fours, my fist up his ass. He felt this was the appropriate time to give me an anatomy lesson on the inside of the anal cavity.” – Noah Alfred Pantano
Noah Alfred Pantano is the writer, director, and star of Pup Play. Pup Play won three awards at Tampa Fringe including the “Edge” Award, Best of Venue, and Best of Show (Runner-Up). Pantano was awarded the George Wallace Scholarship at Orlando Fringe. Pantano is also the recipient of the Mastermind Award from Essex Startups, who are helping him to begin his theatre production company Pants Off. At Colchester Fringe, he won in conjunction with Theatre Group Gumbo from Japan “Spirit of the Fringe” for his exceptional work to make fringe happen and “Fringe of the Fringe” for his role in Gumbo’s Forest of Truth. He won two runner-up awards at the UK’s National Queer Student Awards for Activist and Community Initiative of the Year. At Darklands 2025, he was awarded International Mister Superhero Fetish for his activism work and looking good in spandex.
“Pup Play… the award-winning brain child of the immeasurably talented Noah Pantano, is maybe the fringiest Fringe play I’ve seen… For the adventurous audience member, or the ones who just admire terrific theatre and the fine art of balls-to-the-wall courageous storytelling, it’s a must. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll bark like a dog. What more do you want?”- Broadway World
Fetish Gear encouraged.
Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of sorts) runs August 12–16 at 7:30 PM at Barons Court Theatre during Camden Fringe. Tickets: £14, with concessions available.
