Bruno takes centre stage

6:02am Monday 5th March 2007

A DOG that spent almost nine months in a rescue centre has won the star role in a stage show.

Bruno, now aged about ten, saw off a score of canine competitors from across the region to be named winner of The Northern Echo's Bone Idol contest.

He will now begin rehearsals for The Castle Players' open-air production of The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which will be held from July 4 to 7 in the grounds of Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle.

Apart from his star role, Bruno's face will be seen on posters throughout the region and will be the centrepiece of the programme cover.

He also won a stay at the pet-friendly Manor House Hotel, in West Auckland, for him and his owner, as well as dog food from Wagg Foods, of North Yorkshire.

Bruno, owned by brothers Simon and Michael Coates, of Marton, Middlesbrough, was chosen by director Simon Pell after the dogs auditioned on Saturday in The Witham Hall, Barnard Castle.

As part of the audition, each dog was exposed to loud noises, bright lights and a small crowd of actors milling round.

Then the dog was placed in the hands of leading actor Gordon Duffy-McGhie for a key speech.

Mr Pell said: "It was a very tough choice, because so many of the dogs had virtues, but Bruno has got the character, the temperament and he certainly responded well.

"It was very demanding for Gordon trying to bond with each dog -and having to do that with his leg in plaster after a soccer injury."

Simon and Michael's mother, Johanna, said: "We are all totally thrilled.

"The whole event was absolutely fantastic and all the dogs seemed amazingly well-behaved.

"My sons adopted Bruno, very much a crossbreed, from the RSPCA Rescue Centre at Great Ayton when he was about 18 months old.

"He had been found abandoned and had spent nine months at the centre before Simon chose him. He had been there longer than any other dog and it was clear he was also depressed.

"Bruno's beard also appealed to the boys."

Mr Pell said: "We are very grateful to everyone who entered a dog in the Bone Idol auditions.

"They all helped to make it a fun occasion. It was a fantastic event."

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