Based on the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott is the phenomenal 5 star production by the National Theatre and Trafalgar Theatre of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
Before coming to review the show, I had absolutely no idea what the story was about. I’ve left the show fully embraced by it, unable to stop thinking about it.
The story is fictional and is based on imagined characters. Christopher Boone (Connor Curren) is a rather brainy 15 year old mathematician and neurodiverse student who happens to find the neighbours dog in a not so pleasant situation. Hurt and confused, he responds to the situation by becoming a detective, eager to find the person who committed the crime so that they can be punished. The story follows his journey from Swindon, to London and back again and we experience the different ways he sees the world including some of the challenges he encounters but also the incredible things that he finds so easy to do. Some may think this is a story about Aspergers, but I would disagree. It is a story (in the words of Mark Haddon in 2009) of “difference, about being an outsider, about seeing the world in a surprising and revealing way” which in 2022 is wonderful to read, as we move to seeing people as being neurodiverse, everyone having different brains. I hope people come away from this production wanting to have conversations about neurodiversity.
Everything about this show is genius. The choreography, the set design, the acting and the level of detail. Even the programme was one of the most detailed and interesting ones that I have read.
Rebecca Root who played Siobhan, the narrator, was fabulous. Her stage presence, her movement around the auditorium and the voice – oh my – the voice, such a captivating storyteller. Every time Siobhan was on the stage you could almost hear a pin drop, the audience mesmerised and silent. What was going to be said next?
Connor Curren played the role of Christopher Boone perfectly. Curren who refers to himself as autistic has spoken in previous interviews of his hope that him playing the role of Christopher Boone will help to “get rid of all those preconceptions of what an autistic person is”. He wants to inspire children to follow their dreams and I honestly think he will. A number of the audience tonight will have been inspired by you this evening Connor and I hope you realise, how powerful your performance and words are. Such a hugely talented actor.
A 5 star exceptional performance that I will remember for a very long time.
If you would like to see The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, it is playing at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 2nd April. You can find tickets here: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
Disclaimer: I was invited along to the media night, all thoughts and opinions are entirely by own.