Before I even get into my review of this play, run, don't walk to book your tickets! Visually, this is the most stunning production I have ever seen, and then the actor's do their work and it goes that extra mile.
Last night I attended the press night for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. I hadn't read the novel so I didn't know the storyline beforehand. It was a packed out audience, a much younger and more diverse crowd than I usually see at the theatre, which was exciting. As soon as I walked into the auditorium, the set took my breath away; a digital masterpiece, which played a huge role in the storytelling throughout the play. If there was ever a show where digital art and performance unite in perfect harmony, this is it. The set and lighting design on this show are exceptional, imagine Back To The Future, combined with Dear Evan Hansen and then multiply that by ten. Designer Bunnie Christie, Lighting Designer Paule Constale, Video Designer Finn Ross are experts in their field, supported perfectly by Associate Set Designer Ellen Nabarro, Associate Lighting Designer Rob Casey and Video Associate Jonathan Lyle.
This is definitely a play where you can see the off-stage team are exceptional. The Direction by Marianne Elliott is clever and thoughful, perfectly capturing the world of Christopher Boone and his reallity. Movement Directors Scott Graham and Steve Hoggett (Frantic Assembly) submerged us into Christopher's mind with their immaculate physical theatre montages, allowing us to identify with Christopher in a sympathetic and immersive manner. The scenes that followed Christopher's journey to London took my breath away and I was so drawn in that I don't even think I blinked.
So, what is the play about? It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Mark Haddon, adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens. It follows the character of Christopher Boone as he discovers his neighbour's dog, Wellington, has been killed with a garden fork. He makes it his quest to uncover who the murderer was, and along the way he accidentally uncovers painful truths about his family. We are guided through the events by his teacher, Siobhan (Rebecca Root) as she helps Christopher piece together the events by writing a story.
This play highlights conversations around understanding autism and neurodiversity throughout. The National Theatre approached this production with the aim to keep developping these conversations and as such they put measures in place to... "Change(d) language where terms no longer associated with neurodiversity/autism were used. Employed a representative and diverse touring company. Cast actors with a lived experience of neurodiversity. Collaborated with neurodiverse and autistic consultants and advisors throughout the production process."
The cast were diverse and representative, this was something I found refreshing and it gave the piece more honesty and integrity. The cast were also fantastic! Lead by the immense talent of David Breeds in the role of Christopher Boone, they drew you into the story and their characters to the point where you become so invested in their lives that you can't look away. I found myself rooting for them all in different ways, and at the same time I felt as though I learned a lot about the lived experience of neurodiversity, I felt as though this play deepend my understanding. So powerful.
While David Breeds was undoubtedly exceptional, it felt very much like an ensemble piece, with all the cast multi-rolling with ease, bringing to life all the elements of Christopher's life, there's no doubt as to the talent on that stage. Toby was lovely, and someone needs to tell Sandy to stop stealing the scene!
All of this to say, this play is the most powerful, emotional, impressive, immersive play I've ever seen. I was hooked from start to finish, the staging, the cast, the story-telling... beautiful. If you're even the tiniest bit "curious" just book. Book it, you will not regret it!
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