The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Director: Marianne Elliott
Writer: Simon Stephens
Based on: Mark Haddon’s novel
Cast: Luke Treadaway, Niamh Cusack, Nicola Walker, Paul Ritter, Una Stubbs

Plot:
Christopher (Luke Treadaway) finds his neighbor’s dog dead on the lawn, a pitchfork being the rather obvious reason of death. He decides to investigate the murder and find the killer. But that’s easier said than done, especially since Christopher lies on the autistic spectrum. But where there is a will, there is a way, even if that way leads further into his own family’s past than he anticipated.

I’ve heard only good things about this play (in fact, we were thinking of seeing it when we were in London, only that it was booked to the brim for the next couple of months or so) and I’m glad to say that I wasn’t disappointed at all. It’s a wonderful play with a wonderful design and wonderful direction. I loved every second of it.

I must have been just out of school when I read the book (so over 10 years ago) and I haven’t reread it since. But it’s the kind of book that sticks around in your head and I can still recall many details about it. And as far as I can tell, the play is an extremely faithful adaptation of what happened. But even if not all details are the same, what definitely translates to the stage is that “sticking around” factor.

Somehow everything about this play is special. The stage design, the use of technology, how they incorporate dance and play with perspectives. The story, it’s protagonist and the feeling of reality that comes across, despite the fact that it doesn’t disguise for a second that it’s a play and uses minimalistic props – often it’s just lighting and projections that make it clear where you are.

As far as I can tell, Christopher is a rather accurate depiction of a person on the autism spectrum. Luke Treadaway, in any case, gives a really convincing and heartfelt performance, bringing Christopher to wonderful life. I also very much liked Nicola Walker’s performance, but basically I could say this about every single actor and actress in the play. It’s just a great cast.

Time flies by as you watch the play abd somehow you end up rooting for everyone, except the school director maybe. It makes you laugh and cry and generally express all those feelings, Christopher has a problem with expressing. And that’s practically magical.

Summarizing: If I do come back to London while the play’s still running, I’ll definitely get tickets. Because it’s awesome.