Preview: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Newcastle Theatre Royal

The Curious Incident Reaches Newcastle

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

 Newcastle Theatre Royal

27 January – 7 February 2015

 

The National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time opened in New York earlier this week to a rapturous reception and spectacular reviews from the American media, and early next Spring the show will arrive at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 27 Jan – Saturday 7 Feb 2015.

 

Photos: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Ben Brantley, of the New York Times, described it as 'One of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway. Be prepared to have all your emotional and sensory buttons pushed, including a few you may not have known existed’. 

New York Post said it was:  “the most inventive show on Broadway” and Time Out New York said “Curious Incident is dazzling, pulse-pounding and remarkable”.

Meanwhile, the West End production continues to attract plaudits at the Gielgud Theatre in London, where it recently extended bookings to May 2015.

Christopher, fifteen years old, stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog.  It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington.  He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.  He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers.  But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

 

Photos: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Casting has now been announced for the production of Curious which will tour the UK and Ireland from December 2014, visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal, 27 Jan – 7 Feb.  On the tour, the central role of Christopher will be played by Joshua Jenkins. He is joined by Geraldine Alexander as Siobhan, Chris Ashby (alternate Christopher), Emmanuelle Cole (Punk Girl), Edward Grace (Mr Thompson), Gina Isaac (Judy) and Stuart Laing (Ed).   Further casting is yet to be announced.

Joshua Jenkins makes his National Theatre debut as Christopher.  His previous credits include: Dunsinane for the Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre of Scotland.  Geraldine Alexander’s TV work includes: Father Brown, Shetland, and the original series of Taggart. Chris Ashby recently appeared in New Tricks; Emmanuella Cole appeared in Danton’s Death for the National Theatre and the title role in Amanda at the Young Vic.  Edward Crace’s credits include: Enduring Song (Southwark Playhouse) and Dirty Money on film. Gina Isaac recently played Brenda in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester and Sarah in Ricky Gervais’ Derek. Stuart Laing’s credits include How TV Ruined my Life and Spooks.

Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time received seven Olivier Awards last year, including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.  It also won the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre and has been seen by over 300,000 people during its run in the West End.

Photos: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is directed by Marianne Elliott.  The production is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Paule Constable, video design by Finn Ross, movement by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph. 

This creative team begin rehearsals for the UK tour almost as soon as they come back from opening the show in New York.

Marianne Elliott is an Associate Director of the National Theatre where her productions have included: War Horse (co-directed with Tom Morris), The Light Princess, Port, Season’s Greetings, All’s Well that Ends Well, Harper Regan, Saint Joan (Olivier Award for Best Revival, South Bank Show Award for Theatre), and Pillars of the Community (Evening Standard Award for Best Director).  Marianne was consultant director on The Elephantom for the National Theatre and also recently directed Sweet Bird of Youth for the Old Vic with Kim Cattrall. 

Mark Haddon’s novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was published in 2003. It was the winner of more than 17 literary awards, including prizes in Japan, Holland and Italy as well as the Whitbread Book of the Year Award in the UK in 2004, and was translated into 44 languages.

Tickets:

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 27 Jan – Sat 7 Feb 2015 (Evenings: 7.30pm, Matinees: 2pm & Saturday 2.30pm).

Tickets are from £13.00 (a booking fee of 95p - £1.95 will apply to most tickets) and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk