Attracting rave reviews, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been a huge success. The play by Simon Stephens is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Mark Haddon. It returned to the Grand Opera House in Belfast this week to the delight of Belfast audiences.
During its premiere run ten years ago, the play tied the record for winning the most Olivier Awards (seven) and has enthralled audiences in the West End in London and on Broadway in New York since 2012.
The story is about the mysterious death of a neighbour’s dog which is being investigated by 15-year-old Christopher Boone. It also deals with the teenager’s relationship with his parents and his mentor at school.
Although the novel never directly refers to autism, Christopher shares many of the traits associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Christopher has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at maths, but day-to-day life throws up obstacles. Mrs Shears’ dead dog has been speared with a garden fork. Under suspicion for the killing, Christopher records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who killed Wellington, but his detective work, which is forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey which turns his world upside down. He also discovers some unpleasant facts about his family as he delves into the mystery.
The show sometimes teeters towards sentimentality, but Christopher’s take on life is clear and unflinching. He bravely struggles with painful issues like having his senses bombarded, and finding it unbearable when anyone touches him. He is even aware of how tough life is for his parents, and he has a unique interpretation of the world around him.
The play, with its really fantastic sound and light effects, clever set design and a wonderful cast, is original, startling, brilliant and imaginative, balancing humour and tragedy. We are compelled to look at the world through Christopher’s eyes which seek order and logic, amidst the messiness of life. The lasting appeal of this play and the novel is its humanity, courage and kindness and that fact that we can all get through things that initially fill us with fear. It’s also about the complicated and difficult natures of family life, as well as the possibilities.
Hailed as ‘extraordinary,’ ‘dazzling’ and ‘unmissable’ by Time Magazine and featuring stunning visual effects, a transportive soundscape and a bold and
immersive staging, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a global phenomenon, enjoying a triumphant 10th anniversary tour.