Interview: Dav Pilkey

"Let your imagination run wild": Dog Man creator Dav Pilkey on bringing his supa-popular hero to the North East stage

North East Theatre Guide speaks to bestselling author and illustrator Dav Pilkey ahead of Dog Man: The Musical's run at Darlington Hippodrome this September.

He's sold more than 70 million copies of his graphic novels worldwide, but Dav Pilkey still has one hard-and-fast rule for anyone who wants to watch him work: don't look. "I would not want anyone looking over my shoulder when I'm writing and illustrating my books," the American author admits. It's a habit of fierce creative privacy that makes it all the more striking that, when a team of theatre-makers set out to adapt his beloved canine superhero for the stage, Pilkey handed over the reins almost entirely. "I told the team to do what they wanted to do," he says, "and let their imagination run wild."

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That leap of faith has paid off. Dog Man: The Musical is currently delighting audiences in London and is about to head out on a UK tour that brings it to Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September. For Pilkey, the trust placed in director and choreographer Jen Wineman and the show's co-writers, Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander, was never in doubt. "I trust the entire team," he says. "They are brilliant and have adapted Dog Man into a truly enjoyable stage experience for all ages. Everyone is in for a fantastic treat."

A hero born in the classroom

Dog Man may have become a publishing phenomenon since his debut in 2016, but the character's roots go back much further, to a seven-year-old Pilkey doodling at his desk. That early creativity wasn't always welcomed at school. "I was often sent out in the corridor by my teachers for being disruptive in class," he recalls. "At the time, my teachers did not have a lot of resources to manage kids like me who have dyslexia and ADHD. I remember being isolated from my classmates and often felt like a misfit. But I also remember focusing on what I love: making comics."

It was his parents, he says, who kept that spark alive, commissioning stories from him and championing his imagination even when the classroom couldn't. "Despite my challenges in school, they always encouraged my creative pursuits. Their support and love was life-changing and helped me to become the reader, writer, and illustrator that I am today."

That half-formed police-dog hybrid eventually found his way into the Captain Underpants universe, then a film, then his own spin-off series starring sidekick Cat Kid. Now, drawing on four of the books — Dog Man, Dog Man Unleashed, Dog Man: A Tale of Two Kitties and Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas — the stage show weaves the stories into one adventure, framed as the creation of two mischievous fourth graders, Harold and George, who dream up a musical about their favourite comic invention after being kicked out of their own school show.

A silent hero, by design

Pilkey may have stepped back from the show's creative decisions, but there was one condition he held firm on: Dog Man himself never speaks or sings on stage. "It's part of how George and Harold think as fourth graders," he explains. The same goes for 80-HD, the robot sidekick whose name riffs on ADHD. "I wanted to emphasise using creativity to communicate in other ways besides speech," Pilkey says, pointing to drawing and dance as alternatives.

It's a theme that runs through everything Pilkey makes: that imagination and humour matter, especially for children who don't always fit the mould. "For children, humour is an essential tool for cognitive and social development and critical thinking skills," he says. "It reduces stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins and provides comfort during tough times. I think it helps all of us develop resilience and a positive outlook." Asked for a favourite line from the show, he points to one that captures the spirit of the whole project: "gotta shine like it's your finest hour, and let your 80-HD power show!"

Why theatre, why now

Pilkey's own love of theatre dates back to almost the same period as Dog Man's invention, when he saw a school production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. "I remember immediately after the show, I wanted to read all the books," he says. "I wanted to know more about the characters." He's since watched the off-Broadway run of Dog Man: The Musical in New York multiple times, and describes seeing his characters on stage as "an incredible feeling."

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For Pilkey, live theatre carries a weight that feels especially timely. "I believe live theatre will become crucial in this era of AI," he says. "The direct human connection between the actors and the audience really leaves a lasting impression. It inspires creativity and stimulates the mind." It's the same feeling he hopes families walk away with after a night at Dog Man: The Musical: "I hope they will have as much fun watching the musical as I did. And I hope they are inspired to read books together and see more shows together."

As for whether he'd fancy an all-singing, all-dancing cameo in Harold and George's play-within-a-play? Pilkey isn't tempted. "I don't think you'd want me to!" he laughs.

His message to young audiences heading to the Hippodrome this September is much the same one that got him through the school corridor all those years ago: "I would encourage all kids to let their imaginations run wild, like George and Harold. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and keep practicing and be persistent."

Dog Man: The Musical runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September. For full details or to book, visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01325 405405.