Theatre Review - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is a dynamic and visually striking play based on the bestselling novel by Mark Haddon.  The show centres around 15 year-old Christopher Boone whose Asperger’s Syndrome gives him a unique view of the world.  A genius with numbers with a penchant for logic, Christopher struggles to relate to a society he finds confusing and unsettling.  Upon discovering his neighbour’s dog has been killed with a garden fork, he sets out to solve the murder in his own uniquely methodical way - but in doing so he must face his fears and engage with strangers, uncovering more than he bargained for along the way.

The intricate, high-tech gridlike set combined with a clever use of lighting and sound gives the audience great insight into the inner workings of Christopher’s brain - from flashes of lightning when he is touched to explosions of numbers and letters when he is overwhelmed.  The resulting experience really is mesmerising to watch.

Scott Reid gives an exceptional performance as Christopher. Never leaving the stage, he handles the demands of the role with ease and endears the audience to the character with his honest and humorous replies to rhetorical questions, without ever allowing Christopher to become a caricature. He is supported by a strong ensemble who not only take on the role of multiple characters but through skilled use of movement, become inanimate objects which help to seamlessly link one scene to the next. There are many touching moments throughout the play, particularly during the scenes Christopher shares with his teacher and confidant, Siobhan (Lucianne McEvoy).

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time has an important story to tell - it addresses complex life issues such as equality and adultery while allowing the audience to experience how it is to live with Asperger’s Syndrome. It is a deeply moving tale told with breathtaking skill, and has the power to change how people view the world.