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Fabulous
Insight
The Curious Incident
Of The Dog In The Night–Time
Sunderland Empire
Until 15th August 2015
The Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a rich theatrical experience.
Occasionally a treat comes along in which the strong story is coupled to
fabulous acting and great design. Through Marianne Elliott’s intelligent
direction the action never stops. This
is a 24 carat experience.
The
play by Simon Stephens is based upon the popular 2003 novel by Mark
Haddon. Christopher Boone (Joshua
Jenkins) is a 15 year old boy, on the autistic spectrum, who lives with his Dad
(Stuart Laing) in Swindon. His Dad
has told him that his Mother had died of a heart attack and he was more
interested in which type of cardiac arrest rather than showing other emotions.
He is extremely good at mathematics and wants to do his A level this year.
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The
story begins with a murder of a neighbour’s dog. Christopher was found by the
neighbour hugging the dead dog and so he is questioned by police. The poor handling
of the lad by the police results in an attack on the policeman and ultimately
his arrest.
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The
play’s handling of this episode quickly establishes an emotional attachment for
the audience with the lad. It is hard to
sit there and watch passively as the bad situation is quickly made worse. The
set is incredible and enables the action to flow from garden to police station
and back to home without stopping. Designer Bunny Christie is responsible for
an amazing set with its random cupboards and boxes that double as toilets and
wheelie trollies quickly as the story demands. Over the top of the set is an
incredible lighting design, by Paule Constable, with its many screens on the
floor and walls. The lighting always compliments the action. The chalk line on
one surface being reproduced on another at the same time. Lighting has so
rarely enabled the set to represent the changing of venues so effectively.
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The
curious incident needed to be investigated so Christopher decided to turn
detective. He is determined to ignore his Dad’s advice and he plans to find out
who killed the dog. He also wants to know why his Mum died and he writes a book
for school in which he describes his thinking.
Siobhan (Geraldine Alexander) is his mentor at school and is used as a
narrator to link the action together seamlessly.
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The
strong ensemble regularly pop up for brief moments as a diverse range of
characters from ticket clerks to headteachers. They are able to create intense
crowd scenes thanks to Adrian Sutton’s music and the work from Frantic
Assembly’s Scott Graham and Steven Hogan.
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The
show draws you in and is never boring. It changes the pace to keep the interest
going. This was at its best in the moment when they speeded up the action to
show how slow the neighbour moved. The play had its funny moments, cute
moments, sad moments but stayed relentlessly engaging.
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The
star of the show is Joshua Jenkins as the boy who cannot stand hugs. The
clarity of his situation and the openness of his expression means the audience
quickly care about him. Great support comes from Stuart Laing, Gina Issac and
Geraldine Alexander as his Dad, Mum and school mentor. If the play helps
explain part of the issues of life on the autistic spectrum then it has been
both a force of good as well as entertaining.
Simply put,
The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time is simply the best drama we
have seen this year. Recommended without reservation!
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East
Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com
). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like
Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Read
the original preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/preview-curious-incident-of-dog-in.html
Detail
of autism family-friendly activities that are happening in conjunction with
this show over the summer in venues around Sunderland: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/news-funding-secured-to-support-host-of.html
Tickets:
Tickets available in person at
the Box Office on High Street West, the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or
online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland.
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