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The Dog Logs

2026

About The Dog Logs

From a tough Rottweiler with neighbour problems, to a prima donna toy poodle who wants attention, this collection of hilarious and heart-breaking monologues examines the lives of dogs from every breed, age, and situation. Telling stories of friendship, romance, and revenge, The Dog Logs is a refreshing take on canine life that is touching and surprisingly human.

April 10 - 19, 2026

  • Ballaarat Mechanics Institute
  • Drama, Comedy
  • Playwright: C.J. Johnson
  • Director: Gin O'Brien
  • Running Time: 100 minutes
  • This play is an Australian work
  • Friday 10 Apr 7.00pm
  • Saturday 11 Apr 7.00pm
  • Sunday 12 Apr 2.00pm
  • Wednesday 15 Apr 7.00pm
  • Thursday 16 Apr 7.00pm
  • Friday 17 Apr 7.00pm
  • Saturday 18 Apr 7.00pm
  • Sunday 19 Apr 2.00pm

Partnership

  • With the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute

About the Director

Gin O'Brien

Gin has been involved with Ballarat National Theatre for seven years as an actor, production manager and director. The Dog Logs marks Gin’s full length directorial debut.

Gin has been involved in many productions in Ballarat. She has performed several times with Ballarat National Theatre, including in Wyrd Sisters (2023), Steel Magnolias (2021), A Christmas Carol (2019) and Medea (2019).

She is the current president of Ballarat National Theatre and has produced the last three major productions (Dancing at Lughnasa, Next Fall & God of Carnage).

And she loves dogs!

Playwright

C. J. Johnson

C.J. Johnson is the film critic for The Nightlife, listened to by a million listeners across Australia on ABC Local Radio and many more online internationally.

His website Film Mafia is widely read internationally, with millions of views to date. He also hosts the webseries Watch This.

He is a regular contributor to magazines and websites internationally, and the co-author of And The Oscar Didn't Go To…

C.J.’s plays as writer include The Dog Logs, The Young Tycoons, Hollywood Ending, La La Land, Backpacker and Barnesy: The Harbour and You. They have been performed in every state and territory of Australia, on Norfolk Island, and in New York, Bangalore, London, Zagreb, Tallin (Estonia), Belgrade, Zimbabwe and dozens of other towns and cities. His one-man show Kinski and I won the Sydney Fringe Theatre Award 2014.

C. J. Johnson wrote The Dog Logs in 2001 with the first performances at La Mama Theatre, Melbourne, in May of that year. An Australian tour, with Johnson as one of the actors, took place in 2004. The script was adapted for American audiences in 2011.

Performance Venue

Ballaarat Mechanics Institute

Accessibility information can be found here.

117-119 Sturt St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350

Venue

Cast

Ethan McCart

MC

Laura Farrow

She/Her

Maddie

Jessica Hillman

She/Her

Sparky, Peppa & Polly

Grant Johnson

He/Him

Borys, Alfred, Samson, Mungo & Blacki

Alexandra Pennell aka Viola VaVoom

She/They

Tallulah & Ando/Featured Dancer

Josh Shuttleworth

He/Him

Scarface & Sherlock

Lily Smith

She/Her

Savoir Faire

Pat Warfe

He/Him

Jack

Crew

  • Assistant Director
    Charlie Franc
  • Production Manager
    Ann Chadwick
  • Stage Manager
    Shell Pryor
  • Sound Operator
    Craig Redden
  • Costumes
    Janette Wotherspoon
  • Props
    Lexi Bahlaw
  • Photography and Marketing
    Evelyn Zeven