Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time At Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield Review

Reviewed by Angela Savage

It is 10 years since the novel by Mark Haddon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, was adapted for the stage by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott; in that time it has won a string of awards including the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. The play is produced by the National Theatre, so as an audience you can relax in the knowledge that this will be a stage production of excellent quality. We weren’t disappointed.

The story centres around 15 year old Christopher Boone, played tonight by David Breeds, and his performance was fantastic (there are two actors who play Christopher and I’m guessing this is because it is such an intense and physical role). The play opens as Christopher discovers his neighbour’s dog Wellington has been brutally stabbed with a garden fork. The neighbour in question is Mrs Shears, played by Hannah Sinclair Robinson who plays multiple other parts in the play, as do many of the other cast members.

Christopher, who describes himself as having some behavioural difficulties, comes across as typically neuro-diverse, and is falsely accused of being involved. As a response to being touched by the police officer (he does not like to be touched by anyone) he hits out at the policeman and is taken to the police station. As is common with children with neuro-diverse tendencies, Christopher’s senses are heightened and the opening scenes are a visual and auditory spectacle, with flashing lights, loud noises and the audience also being plunged into darkness in between. It felt like we were being given a glimpse of what the world feels like for Christopher himself and the effect helps you to understand him and his experiences. I really enjoyed this element throughout the production; the set combines projections, drawings and boxes that can be repurposed as different objects and the actors themselves become props, opening doors, cupboards, boxes…all sorts.

Christopher’s dad, Ed, (played by Tom Peters) comes to collect him from the station, explaining that it is a misunderstanding and Christopher is released from custody. He is, however determined to find out who killed Wellington; his perception is, ‘If they killed Wellington, who was a perfectly nice dog, then what would they do to him?’

The story is told through the narrator who is also Christopher’s teacher Siobhan, played by Rebecca Root. The voice of Haddon’s narrator is intriguing, and helps the audience understand Christopher further, we learn that he isn’t at a mainstream school, but he is an exceptionally bright mathematician. At just 15 years old he is already studying A Level Maths and he finds comfort in numbers, bringing order to the complexities he finds that everyday life brings.
As the play progresses we learn that Christopher’s dad is bringing him up alone and his dad has told him that his mum, Judy, (played by Kate Kordel) has died of a heart attack. When Christopher discovers a box full of letters from his mum he is confused as he thought she had died 18 months previously.

Christopher goes on a journey in this play, both literally and metaphorically. He has never ventured alone further than down his street, so any kind of journey would present a challenge. I loved the scenes where physical theatre is used and the choreography of flying through space or rushing through London is beautiful as well as powerful. When the production conveys the panic of information overload as Christopher travels through the London Underground you can really get a sense of the world he inhabits.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is an immersive and powerful piece of theatre. I found it moving, intense and with magical moments. I would highly recommend it.

Rating: 4.5/5

Tickets cost from £15

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is at The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield until Saturday 19th February 2022.

for more information or to book tickets visit https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/ or call the box office on 01142496000

55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA