There’s something special about going to see a brand new play when you know very little about it. No big spoilers, no endless reviews to scroll through – just curiosity and a description intriguing enough to make you book a ticket. That was exactly the case with The Last Picture at HOME Manchester.
Directed by John R. Wilkinson and written by Catherine Dyson, the play only premiered as a full production in February 2026, meaning very few audiences have experienced it so far. The only real evidence of its success I had was a four-star review from The Guardian. However, the concept alone was enough to make me want to know more: one-man play, performed by Robin Simpson… as a support dog.
It’s an idea that sounds unusual on paper, but on stage, it works in a way that feels quietly extraordinary.
Robin Simpson carries the entire production, narrating the story from the perspective of Sam, a support dog. He describes the world through sensation, and colour – explaining how he sees human emotions visually. For example, anxiety may glow amber, while feelings can shift and change in hue.Â
It’s immersive from the very beginning. The audience isn’t asked to participate physically, but we are asked to imagine and lean into the storytelling. Initially, the audience is guided to see through the eyes of a Year 9 student on a class trip to a Holocaust museum, accompanied by a dog who senses the emotional weight in the room without fully understanding its historical context.
What unfolds is a journey through a series of ‘pictures.’ Some are subtle, tender moments, such as families having a picnic in a field. Others are far more harrowing, confronting the unimaginable realities of the Holocaust. I won’t spoil the specifics, because this is genuinely a production that deserves to be experienced without too much prior knowledge.
What makes it so powerful is the vivid storytelling. The writing and performance combine to create images so clear and emotionally charged that you feel as though you’re standing inside them. It’s thought-provoking in a way that lingers.
Having studied modern history at university and visited Auschwitz myself, I didn’t expect a one-man play to move me quite as much as it did. Yet there was something about sitting in that theatre at HOME that felt more immediate, more emotionally immersive. The storytelling doesn’t just recount history; it asks you to feel it and see it through the eyes of the people in those photographs. It forces you to remember that they were real individuals, not just figures in textbooks.
The power of perspective
The choice to tell this story through a dog is surprisingly effective. There’s an innocence to Sam’s narration. He senses fear, grief, anger, and love, but doesn’t fully comprehend the political or historical mechanics behind them. That contrast makes the horror more human and intimate.
Sam’s perspective also allows for moments of levity. There’s gentle humour throughout that encourages small breaks that release the tension just enough before drawing you back in. It’s carefully balanced, never diminishing the subject matter but acknowledging its emotional intensity.
Ultimately, The Last Picture carries a meaningful message about memory, understanding, and the importance of truly engaging with history rather than letting it blur into abstraction. It reminds us how easy it is to forget that the people we read about were real people, with families, fears, and futures.
At HOME Manchester
There’s something fitting about seeing this production at HOME. Cosy, creative, and undeniably one of Manchester’s cultural heartbeats. The location feels like the perfect space for a piece of theatre built on imagination and connection. The intimacy of the venue only heightens the immersion.
It’s difficult to fully articulate just how powerful this play is without experiencing it yourself. But it’s exceptional with truly impressive storytelling, carried entirely by one performer and a concept that shouldn’t work… but absolutely does.
While it’s touring, if you can get tickets, I’d strongly recommend doing so. This is the kind of play that stays with you long after you’ve left the theatre – quietly echoing, like the last image you can’t quite forget.
Purchase tickets for The Last Play at HOME MCR before it leaves, or have a look at what’s on at the theatre.
Kelsey Haslam is the founding editor of Magenta Adventures Travel Publication and a freelance travel writer with a focus on community-based travel, culture-led experiences, and theatre tourism. She is passionate about spotlighting lesser-known destinations and connecting travellers with meaningful, human-centred stories.
Her published work includes destination features and luxury hotel reviews for leading travel outlets such as A Luxury Travel Blog, Beau Monde Traveler, and Luxury Lifestyle Magazine.
Explore more about Kelsey’s background on the About Page.
