The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog In the Night-Time is a play I have been meaning to see for ages…especially as I read and loved the novel by Mark Haddon and I had heard so many positive things about the stage adaptation by Simon Stephens.

This story tells of Christopher Boone, a 15 year old boy with Asperger Syndrome. The show opens with Christopher discovering the death of the neighbour’s dog with a pitch fork and Christopher uses his logic to try to determine who the murderer is but in doing so unearths many truths, much closer to home.

Whilst I loved the book, the remarkable thing about The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was the whole setting of the show – the overall vision. It remained true to the heart of the book whilst giving the show a visual spectacular which rather than diluting the show it enhances it. The set was essentially a cube, divided into smaller squares which echoed Christopher’s Mathematical mind. The cube however soon transformed with projections, hiding holes within the cube and parts emerging from the cube. The direction and movement around the set made wonderful use of the full scope of the set and created some spectacular visual effects.

The cast were often required to perform in a very stylized manner and were able to switch from this to naturalistic interpretations of their character with seeming ease. Sion Daniel Young took the lead role of Christopher Boone and played it with a great attention to detail. His characters tics were consistent and realistic and the audience really got an insight into Christopher’s mind through Sion Daniel Young’s interpretation.
Mention must also go to Nicholas Tennant and Mary Stockley who play Christopher’s parent’s Ed & Judy.  The audience can really feel for these characters as you can see both of their anguish in their differing approach in bringing up Christopher and neither of them managing to be the parent that Christopher expects. A testament to the strength of this cast is that on the night I saw in, there was a cast change at the interval and they carried this off with complete ease.

It is easy to see how this show is continuing to run on the West End and tour. If, like me, this show had managed to pass you  by then get yourself to the Gielgud Theatre and make sure you catch this intelligently, beautiful show.

PS – I was lucky enough to be sat in a ‘prime number seat’ (F19) and as my name added up to a prime number I won a badge. It was a nice, clever touch that got me talking on twitter – good work by the publicity team on The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night-Time.