Fringe review: Railway Bob
A charming musical retelling celebrates the true story of South Australia’s rail-riding canine mascot. ★★★
A perennial and ever-popular visitor to Adelaide Fringe, Railway Bob tells the story of a Very Good Boy who loved to ride the rails. Adopted by one William Ferrie in the 1880s (and, as a result, spared a pack trip to Carrieton where 100 strays were to be sent to clear up a rabbit infestation), Bob wasn’t one for a cosy chair and a warm fire. Instead, he became the beloved mascot of South Australian Railways, just as happy taking the long trip to Melbourne as popping up to Peterborough for the day and back again, either perched beside the driver’s seat or helping passengers mind their manners with a bark or two.
This is a straightforward production of his story, by Artbeat, and therein lies the rub: while Bob’s story is a sweet and lovely slice of history, there’s not a lot of jeopardy. That means the production is both straightforward and low-stakes, with few emotional highs or gripping moments. Bob’s collar, paid for by the railway workers, bore the legend ‘Stop me not, but let me jog. For I am Bob, the railway dog’ and it seems this doggerel inspired the lyrics for the songs that interweave with the action; all enjoyable but there are no surprises. It all adds up to a perfectly pleasant hour that makes the audience happy. Finding a little bit of dramatic licence to build tension and heighten the stakes would take it to the next level, but perhaps would also dilute the warmth and truth of this particular slice of South Australian history.
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Railway Bob: The Greatest Dog Story Ever Told is playing at The Lark at Gluttony from March 3 – 8 and then at Tickle Belly Hill on March 22
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