The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Drama

West End

Apollo Shaftesbury

Until Sat Oct 25 2014

Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Brinkhoff/Moegenburg

Brinkhoff/Moegenburg

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Time Out says

Thu Mar 14 2013

Brakes shrieking; people jabbering; a million frantic bits of information rushing past – city life can be too much, even if you have learned to ignore large chunks of it. Which is precisely what 15-year-old Asperger Syndrome sufferer Christopher Boone can’t do.

When he comes to London, at the peak of his strange quest to solve the mysterious death of his neighbour’s dog, he is overwhelmed. Onstage, lights, disconnected letters and people stream all over him. It’s our own hyper-reality, and when you look at it like this, it is madness.

It’s also an electrifying staging of Mark Haddon’s novel, directed by Marianne ‘War Horse’ Elliot. ‘The Curious Incident…’ was the bestselling book of the noughties precisely because it was so successful in showing readers the world from Christopher’s point of view.

What you see more vividly in this tight adaptation by Simon Stephens – a prolific playwright who always hits a nerve – is what it’s like for Christopher’s mum and dad to love their unique, shuttered-up boy, who knows the name of every country and capital city in the world, but screams whenever anyone touches him.

No fear though, this absolutely isn’t a mawkish Swindon-set ‘Rain Man’. Yes, the sheer strangeness of Christopher sheds new and largely heartwarming light on the grumpy coppers, gossipy old neighbours and adulterous wives who are clichés of suburban life. But Luke Treadaway’s performance as Christopher, a maths genius who struggles with the basic emotional facts of life, is romantic without being sentimental.

This National Theatre show, originally made for the tiny Cottesloe stage, doesn’t quite have the ‘wow’ factor of ‘War Horse’. But it tells a great story with sensitivity, flair, and a welcome dose of humour. The physicality of the ensemble keeps it down to earth, but also helps it fly, with the actors crowd-surfing Treadaway’s Christopher around the stage to show how his imagination is fired up by the patterns he sees around him.

In many ways, Christopher is untouchable – cut off from the rest of us. But we’re all outsiders sometimes. And Christopher’s eccentric, intense quest should resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled to make sense of the world around them. Caroline McGinn

Critics' choice

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Venue details

MAP

Name:
Apollo Shaftesbury
Address:
Apollo Shaftesbury Shaftesbury Avenue
London
W1D 7EZ

Transport:
Tube: Piccadilly Circus
Map
1. Apollo Shaftesbury
  - Shaftesbury Avenue
    London
    W1D 7EZ
  - 51.511594,-0.133580

Event phone:
0870 830 0200

Categories:
Theatre. West End. Drama

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time 2013 - 2014

Date Time Price information
Thu Jun 20

14:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets

19:30
Fri Jun 21

19:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets
Sat Jun 22

14:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets

19:30
Mon Jun 24

19:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets
Tue Jun 25

19:00

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets
Wed Jun 26

19:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets
Thu Jun 27

14:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets

19:30
Fri Jun 28

19:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets
Sat Jun 29

14:30

£12-£85. Runs 2hrs 40min
Buy tickets

19:30

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Comments & ratings

(2 ratings)

Not as fantastic as some make out. That's the problem with over inflated reviews, expectations were high. The first half drags and the acting is too over wrought. I know some people with Aspergers and having an actor too old for the role who plays the part as if the kid is an imbecile doesn't help. Also, the other actors over state the characters and the mother and father are just plain irritating. It was all too childish and unbelievable for me. It can't hold a candle to the book which was believable. By the way, the tickets are well over priced and as someone else said, given the size of the theatre - it is very, very small - you could happily sit in the cheapest seats and still see everything. Those Olivier Awards are very misleading!

Alex Tue May 7
Rated as: 3/5
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I loved the book. Really, really loved it. I was so excited about this play I counted the days. I was very, very disappointed. The acting was amateurish and one note. And i mean really amateurish. The emphasis was on comedy, exacerbated by having a 30 year old play a 15 year old, along with actors in multiple roles. The staging is stark ultra modern and very brash. Not in tune with the novel at all. The first half dragged. I was expecting a much more sensitive and moving production. The theatre is tiny with tiny (one of the smallest i have been in) so we wasted £85 each on premium tickets. Seats in the balcony would have been fine. I do feel this production is a case of Emperor and New Clothes.

Steve Wed May 1
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Absolutely brilliant. A really clever production, with the cast having multiple roles and a ingenious use of staging. The acting is spot on making everyone laugh and cry throughout. A definite must see.

Sarah Sun Apr 7
Rated as: 5/5
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I saw this on Saturday afternoon, having read and loved the book years ago. The play was great. The performances were all good although the stand out star was the lead role of Christopher who was amazing. He must have been exhausted by the end, as he is ever present throughout...no wonder he looks so lean and fit!! The other memorable aspect of the play was the incredibly creative stage design. I still can't fathom how they managed to achieve so much with so few props. Truly magical theatre. Highly recommended!

Sarah J Mon Mar 18
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