The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time at Milton Keynes Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Zoey Caldwell
When I was given the opportunity to watch The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night-Time, I had no expectations. I knew that it was based on a book by Mark Haddon, I believed that the character in the story was an autistic but that was the entire extent of my knowledge.
The story centres around a 15-year-old neuro diverse girl called Chris Boone (Alex Keenan) who lives a simple life with her father Ed (Joe McFadden) in Sheffield. Rather stereotypically, Chris excels in maths and despite attending a special school is preparing to take her maths A-Level.
Chris’s life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers the body of her neighbour’s dog in the garden. The dog had been murdered with a garden fork, and despite being an initial suspect Chris decides that she will in fact solve the mystery of the death of Wellington. This is a decision that her father vehemently opposes. I won’t divulge too much of the plot, as I am sure there will be others that are watching the show that have not read the book, but Chris unearths hidden secrets and lies that turn her life upside down.
The show is gently done- perhaps on purpose for the neuro-divergent audience members but it benefits all visitors to be honest. The set is minimal; there are not great or grand set changes, rather clever use of a few props and projected images at the back of the set. When props are used, they are seamlessly moved around the stage with highly choreographed moves that do not take away from the narrative.
Speaking of narrative, Chris’s story is told by Siobhan and at times this plays out as an internal monologue to help Chris through difficult situations. As mentioned earlier Chris Boone is neuro diverse, and I believe the character shows traits of autism, and I think that the show is sensitive to the traits that some autistics have. It is an interesting story and one of bravery when Chris travels to London to reunite with her mother Judy (Charlie Brooks). The show sensitively demonstrates the overstimulation and anxiety that a simple train journey for most neuro typical people can have on a neuro divergent person and the behaviours that can often come from these emotions are carefully crafted. And as with the mostly relaxed atmosphere of the play the melt downs are gentler reminder of the stark reality that affects so many lives daily.
I have not been to a show such as this before, I found the music to be calming and relaxing, the actors each played their role well. There were no standout performers instead each actor contributed just what they needed to make this play what it is. A story of family, love, betrayal, adventure and overcoming adversity. The ensemble each playing their parts just as well. For me finding out who murdered the dog before the interval left me wondering what exactly the second half of the play would be about, however I did not have to wait too long to discover the how the plot thickened.
This is quieter night at the theatre than I am used to, and I enjoyed entering the world of Chris and her family for the evening.
Rating: 4/5.
Tickets cost from £17.50 plus £4 transaction fee. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is at Milton Keynes Theatre from the 6th October – 10th October. For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-night-time/milton-keynes-theatre/ or call the box office on 0333 0095399.
Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Central Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ