MUTTNIK

Amazing and captivating storytelling! The audience is brought through a range of emotions, and really made to feel what the dog feels. It made me want to explore the topic more. Great job!

Fantastic storytelling - make sure to bring tissues.

Look, I’m as surprised as anybody that show about the first dog sent into space that’s as moving as this is. And as funny as it is.

But that’s fringe for you.

Muttnik is a one-man — or is it one-dog? — show retelling the life of the Russian dog sent into space on Sputnik II. The first living creature sent into orbit. In real life, the dog’s name was Laika, and she sadly (spoiler alert!) died on her mission.

Bruce’s work is a must-see for me after so many shows brought to Edmonton that made my top 5. Though their storytelling work runs the gamut of topics, from queer horror to apocalyptic theme parks, it is always certain to include moments of both laughter and tears.

Muttnik is a show that I missed when it first came to Edmonton several years ago. I knew going in that I would probably cry, as one does when they think about a vulnerable creature, alone in the universe, awaiting death. I got much more than that.

I think what kills me the most about this artist’s work is that they will gut punch you with a really beautiful line of dialogue and make you cry, and then turn around and shake their butt like a dog. Bruce is a master of walking the line between comedy and tragedy. I always know I’m going to see something deeply human in their work.

A lot was done with a small rectangle of space, a few lights, and a stool. It started a bit slow, but hooked me fairly quickly due to the storyteller’s performance skills, bringing to life a character that moves from naive to miserable to hopeful.

Despite the tragedy, this show felt like a tender balm for anyone who has experienced cruelty, but believes that love is out there. The moon can be your mother. Someone you don’t know yet wants you to keep going. You’ll meet in your dreams and know each other.

Based on a historical event so you know the inevitable end to the story but still, nothing could prepare me for how deeply I would feel it and how much I would cry. Even typing this now I’ve started tearing up again. This show succeeds immensely in its goal of capturing how a dog thinks about the world and her place in it, and the pain of communication barriers between us humans and our fellow mammals. We will all be there when you wake up, sweet Laika 💫

Bruce continues his unbroken streak of excellent Fringe shows. He’s always on my must-see list with whatever project he has on offer. MUTTNIK is more emotional than most of his work but still has all the comedic elements that I’ve come to love. Don’t miss this show.

Why am I crying at a dog with a Russian accent making bad puns?

I knew Bruce Costella was an excellent physical performer that could clown with the best of them. I did not know he could turn up the emotions high enough to reach orbit.

The show is a funny, silly show about a dog in space. There are plenty of jokes of varying degrees of cleverness (and he lets you know when he identifies one as clever).

But, like every movie with a dog in it, you do end up crying for some reason. I don't know who made that rule, but it continues to hold here.

This show took me on an emotional journey. I cried at the end.

This show may appear silly at first glance, and parts of it are, but at its core it is a gripping and emotional story about Laika, the Sputnik missions tragic canine casualty. A story many of us grew up learning about in school, and that personally always struck a chord with me. Bruce Costello does a fantastic job treading the line between comedic relief and tragic instensification as he himself plays Laika, telling his life story to the audience.

I see Bruce Ryan Costella’s shows every year and they’re always incredible. This one was no different! It’s about the dog that Russia launched into space in the 50s. He does a Russian accent the entire time and you should be prepared to cry. It’s a heartbreaking tale. Very, very well done. Glad that I got to have a chat with Bruce after the show to tell him how much I enjoy his work!

Bruce Ryan Costello puts on a one man show recreating the Sputnik launch into space by the Russians when they sent a dog, Laika. Here, Bruce is the dog. 🐶

The show starts out somewhat slowly as Bruce tells some witty jokes to connect with the audience. But as the stories continue, the gravity of the moment becomes more heartfelt and the play becomes far more rich and connective.

I would definitely see this if you get the chance. Clearly it's got a reputation as the show I went to was sold out.

There are some laughs, education but also some heartfelt moments.

This is really great story telling and It seems like Bruce really put his heart into this show.

The moment I saw an actor dressed as an astronaut dog on stage, I knew I was in for a ride. MUTTNIK is a one-man theatrical production that follows the story of Laika, the first dog sent to space. From unexpected jokes to immersive, playful storytelling, the show kept the audience engaged every single second. The artists succeeded in their goal of crafting a lighthearted yet memorable experience, all while teaching us a history lesson about the space race!

To address the elephant in the room (or more so, the dog), Bruce Ryan Costella, as Laika, embraced his role to its full capacity. With impressive dog-like physicality and a consistent slavic accent, Costella demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the show. It is also worth mentioning how witty and unhinged some of the jokes were! From time to time, Costella would throw in improvised jokes that involved audience interaction, which only added to the humorous experience.

One element of the show that I found funny, but somewhat adorable, was that Laika was telling us stories from a rocket, so she referred to the audience members as “stars” during interactive moments, because she was supposedly looking out the window and conversing with the stars. It was a small detail that made me giggle.

In addition to comedy, the show’s emotional storytelling and lessons about home, love, and loneliness were unforgettable. Never would I expect to be moved by a space dog who misses her mother, yet here we are. It was the type of show where it makes perfect sense to laugh one second and feel sorrow the next.

The lighting and sound were minimalistic, yet effective. Sound effects consisted solely of a blaring siren that would interrupt Laika’s dialogue occasionally, adding to the show’s comedic element. Lighting was also quite simple, and it included a few different washes of colour. However, it took me a while to realise that most of the lighting effects were controlled by Costella on stage! Using more props in addition to the stool already being used could have made the show even more immersive, but overall, it was a job well done.

MUTTNIK is a striking show that won’t fail to crack laughs in the audience. It’s remarkable what one actor can do with a small stage, a stool, simple technical elements, and sheer dedication.

Bruce Ryan Costella is a one-of-a-kind talent. I've been coming to the Fringe for many years and I've yet to see a performer who can weave together comedy, tragedy, and devastating observations of the human (or in this case, canine) condition the way Costella does, or anyone who can get an audience to buy into the story in quite the same way.

Muttnik is a beautifully done show that explores the themes of family, home, and purpose while also delivering its fair share of laughs.

Learn from my lack of preparation, and bring tissues.

EDIT: Went to see it for a second time with a friend who wanted to go.... And cried for a second time.

I went in expecting some wacky fringe-y show like what I remember of Seaman and Cowbaret, but this show took me instead on a beautiful emotional journey. Bruce embodies his space dog so well from his physicality to nailing dialogue I imagine many dog parents like myself have thought run through our pets minds. I laughed, I cried, and will tell everyone to see this show.