The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a play by Simon Stephens, based on the novel of the same name by Mark Haddon. During its 2012 premiere run, starting at the National Theatre, the play won seven Olivier Awards before transferring to the West End, where it eventually closed in 2017. The present touring production, which began at Birmingham Rep a few weeks ago, is the play’s first ‘new’ production since then.
The story concerns a mystery surrounding the death of a neighbour’s dog that is investigated by ’15-year-old maths-genius detective’ Chris Boone, who is autistic. It explores Chris’ relationships with adults, the novel being written in the first person, whereas the play is presented as a play-within-a-play.
Ed Boone, Chris’ father, is in the very capable hands of Joe Mc Fadden, always appearing completely natural and believable. Likewise, Charlie Brooks as Ed’s estranged wife, Judy, now living in Willesden, whereas Ed and Chris are in Swindon. Siobhan, the school mentor, is played by Bridgette Amofah, very calmly and quietly. The remaining seven actors cover a multitude of roles, including police officers and other ‘authority’ figures, all of whom come across as being very stereotypical – the fault of the writing and direction (Ned Bennett) rather than the actors!
Alex Keenan is Chris, a none-too-subtle portrayal which verges on melodrama at times: when her acting is less “in your face,” it is at its strongest and most believable, such as the duologue with her father towards the end of Act One, which is quite poignant.
The original National Theatre production had a superb set by Bunny Christie and Finn Ross that deservedly won awards both in the UK and on Broadway. Unfortunately, Eleanor Bull’s design for this touring production was clearly influenced by the budget available. There is a pink backcloth with slash curtains attempting to mask entrances left and right, and a high rostrum running across the stage, accessed by steep stairs just offstage, which look to be very awkward to use. What appears to be foam rubber rostra are introduced at various times, as are various rubber balls and a few cut-outs of houses and two simple pink trucks on which are a chair and a sofa, but the overall effect is of a distinct lack of imagination! For much of the play only two or three people are on stage, so in some way the space needs confining in order to concentrate the audience’s attention, but here we have a vast space, all of which is usually fully lit (Laura Deward).
Giles Thomas, composer and sound designer, has created a soundscape which plays nearly all the time. It almost goes without saying that the most effective scenes are those where there is NO soundscape but silence, allowing the audience to concentrate on what is happening in the play itself.
Brighton’s Theatre Royal was host to many school parties on Press Night, billed as a “relaxed performance”, all of whom deserve much praise for their behaviour and concentration. You could have heard the proverbial pin drop from where I was sitting just in front of one group. An interesting evening, which does not erase memories of the original production, which truly had that “wow” factor that is so difficult to recapture.
Review by John Groves
Chris Boone is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, she finds herself under suspicion. Determined to prove her innocence, Chris becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue she uncovers.
What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, forcing her to confront truths that will test her courage, her family, and her understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
Judy – Charlie Brooks
Ed – Joe McFadden
With Alex Keenan, Alex Murdoch, Bridgette Amofah, Carla Garratt, Imi Price, Jerone Marsh Reid, Matthew Bulgo, Robert Penny, Sera Mustafa, Tom Clegg
Writer – Simon Stephens
Director – Ned Bennett
Designer – Eleanor Bull
Lighting Designer – Laura Deward
Composer and Sound Designer – Giles Thomas
Video Designer – Hayley Egan
Puppetry Designer and Director – Matt Hutchinson
Movement Director – Jennifer Jackson
Casting Director – Abby Galvin CDG
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Theatre Royal Brighton, 29 September to 3 October 2026
Tour continues to 29 May 2027
