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.
