Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute

The Dog Logs, A Ballarat National Theatre Production
2026-04-12 14:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-18 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-04-19 14:00 - 15:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
The Dog Logs, A Ballarat National Theatre Production

April 11

@

7:00 pm

-

8:30 pm

$18 – $30

Minerva Space

A Play by C. J. Johnson, film critic for The Nightlife

Directed by Gin O’Brien

The Dog Logs is a refreshing take on canine life that is touching and surprisingly human.

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.

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.

Directed by 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 vice-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!

Tickets: $30 adults, $25 Concession, $20 BNT members, Group package (10 adults) $180. Ticket sales close 1 hour prior to the performance. A bar will operate for these sessions.

Get Tickets

There is no allocated seating.

Running Time: 100 minutes (no interval) Doors open 30 minutes prior to show start time. Bar available Content warning – This play contains themes of violence, suicide, sexual acts, animal cruelty and death. It is recommended for mature audiences only.

Ballarat National Theatre

Ballarat National Theatre are a BMI Community PartnerFind out more about BMI Community Partnerships below.

Supporters & partners

This event takes place on Wadawurrung Country. Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute acknowledges the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we work, learn and create. Always Was, Always Will Be, Aboriginal Land.

Brian Chapman & Friends: A Trio of Stunning Piano Quartets
2026-04-12 15:00 - 17:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

In Conversation with Fiona Lowe
2026-04-21 18:00 - 19:30 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Only The Animals
2026-04-23 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Artistanbul: Create your own Turkish Mosaic Lamp
2026-05-03 13:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Humffray Room, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Pub Cinemas Presents: 'In The Shadow of the Gallows' & short film 'Vendetta 19'
2026-05-04 19:00 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Teeny Tiny Stevies - Brain Fart Tour
2026-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Black Dog
2026-05-14 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Victorian Occult Conference
2026-05-16 08:30 - 18:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Monster
2026-06-11 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, a THEATRE 180 production | SOLD OUT
2026-07-10 11:00 - 12:50 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

21 HEARTS: Vivian Bullwinkel and the Nurses of the Vyner Brooke, a THEATRE 180 production
2026-07-10 19:00 - 20:50, 2026-07-11 11:00 - 12:50 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Journey Home
2026-07-16 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

God of Carnage, A Ballarat National Theatre Production
2026-07-23 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-24 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-25 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-26 14:00 - 16:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Blake Pavey: A Bit Scared
2026-08-07 19:30 - 20:40 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | The Blue Trail
2026-08-13 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Kōkā
2026-09-10 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Ballarat Film Society | Bound for Glory
2026-10-08 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350

Telegraph Road - The Dire Straits Legacy: Matt Arthur and The Lazybones
2026-10-09 19:00 - 22:00 | The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350, Australia

Ballarat Film Society | Smiley Gets a Gun
2026-12-10 19:30 - 21:00 | BMI – Minerva Space, 117-119 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
