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Performer Says Dog Molly Was Easiest Co-Star

8/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The performer said her dog Molly was the easiest co-star to work with on stage.
She carried Molly on stage during the 2014 Gypsy production at Chichester Festival Theatre.
She said she could not carry her husband Jim Carter, who appeared in Guys and Dolls, because of his size.
She explained that Molly required no audition because the dog already knew someone in the show.

History

Historical Context

The 1939 MGM musical The Wizard of Oz introduced Toto, who required up to twelve takes, establishing a high-profile animal co-star; earlier that year veteran vaudeville performer Pat Walshe was hired to play the winged-monkey commander, showing theatres’ long-standing use of animals. The film’s Technicolor success cemented animal roles as cost-effective crowd-pleasers.

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Story summary

The performer said her dog Molly was the easiest co-star to work with on stage.
She carried Molly on stage during the 2014 Gypsy production at Chichester Festival Theatre.
She said she could not carry her husband Jim Carter, who appeared in Guys and Dolls, because of his size.
She explained that Molly required no audition because the dog already knew someone in the show.

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