The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time Review
Reviews Theatre
A tenth anniversary tour of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time sees this National Theatre production of Marker Haddon's dear book made more inclusive, while retaining all the elements that made information technology a hit in the first place.
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
Ten years is a long fourth dimension in theatre. That this National Theatre product is undertaking a tenth anniversary bout is testament to how well it connects with audiences. And of course how love the story is in this country and across. Marking Haddon published The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in 2003. It tells the story of Christopher, whose detective work after a neighbour's dog is killed leads him to uncover truths virtually his family. And undertake a journey that is far outside his comfort zone.
Importantly, Christopher is neurodivergent. And the magic of Haddon'southward book is how it captures a different way of experiencing the earth. As readers/the audition we bring together some dots ahead of Christopher, while he shares insights that may not occur to a neurotypical brain. As ane fellow audience member expressed to me, The Curious Incident of the Domestic dog in the Night-Time has allowed many people without first mitt experience to better sympathize neurodivergence.
So, like The Body of water at the End of the Lane, this is a book which requires some creativity to suit and stage. Luckily, in stepped a crack team to practice but that. Simon Stephens wrote the adaption. The play is true to the novel, with 1 main difference, which is a play-inside-a-play structure. Haddon'south novel reads every bit a story written by Christopher virtually his experiences. In the play, Christopher's teacher Siobhan encourages him to turn this volume into a play. It a clever bear on which knowingly brings the audition in, and allows moments of breaking the 4th wall.
What will stick with most audience members in a higher place all, still, is Bunny Christie's gear up blueprint. The bout, which starts with a residency at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, retains this original pattern faithfully. Black tiles serve as a versatile backdrop. The set has imbedded pixels, and subconscious compartments. It's incredibly clever, and helps to foster the sense that we are in someone else's globe: Christopher's. The entire artistic team cleverly supports this, down to the prime numbers hidden in Adrian Sutton'south score.
10th Anniversary
So to come dorsum to my earlier point, this is the production's 10th anniversary tour (having started life in the National'due south Cottesloe Theatre in 2012). That's a long time in theatre. It'south also a long time in certain conversations, specially those effectually neurodivergence and autism. There have been changes for this bout, therefore, which the program addresses. They include rethinking access, some changes to linguistic communication, and ensuring that the lived experience of autism was part of the process, from casting onwards. Access All Areas supported The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in achieving this.
Every bit is often the instance, setting clear guidelines around inclusion and access seems to accept reaped rewards on many levels. In that location is a real depth to the variety of the cast. Some roles are shared between actors, which is notwithstanding not very common only seems to be on the increase. And in that location are some really wonderful performances and connections. The part of Christopher was performed by Connor Curren for the press night performance, and kudos must go to him. This is such a physical and taxing role, which Curren handles adeptly, telling Christopher's story on his own terms.
The other stand up-out performance for me was Rebecca Root as Christopher'due south instructor, Siobhan. Non all of the characters in this story are equipped with the skills to understand and support Christopher. It's thus often through the graphic symbol of Siobhan that we as audience members tin can insert ourselves into this play. We empathize through her as we see Christopher struggle to face challenging situations. And nosotros celebrate his wins through her. Root is really wonderful in this office – I had tears in my eyes every bit the story reached its climax.
Final Thoughts
This residency, which will kick off the 2021-2022 UK tour, is well worth the trip to Wembley to see. If you oasis't been before to the Troubadour Wembley Park theatre, it'due south an experience in itself. Troubadour grew out of an experiment in bringing the tricky staging of The Railway Children to life; they are now rethinking theatre spaces entirely. None of the sight line problems that some West Cease transfers face when you're in a vast, modern infinite like this! And almost chiefly, as the Joint Founders & CEOs note in the programme, "an abundance of loos!"
Only mostly this is an opportunity to either discover or rediscover a product that has stood the test of time. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a story that is total of middle, about the bravery to push yourself to your limits and across. All of the elements come up together to create a special connection with audiences. It is a joy to be part of.
And without giving too much away, at some bespeak at that place will exist an invitation to stay for an encore afterwards the curtain phone call. Do it! The production team go to use the full range of the set up's possibilities, and the play goes out with a bang.
Salterton Art's Review's rating: iv.5/5
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime-Time on at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre until 9 Jan 2022 as part of a UK tour.
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Source: https://saltertonartsreview.com/2021/12/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time-troubadour-wembley-park-theatre-london/
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