Wednesday 8 October 2014

The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time-Gielgud Theatre

It has taken a while but I have finally got to see the National Theatre's production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (currently in its third home at the Gielgud Theatre, following a ceiling collapsing earlier in the year).  <<http://www.curiousonstage.com>>

At the play's heart is Christopher Boone (currently played by Graham Butler), a 15 year old who is incredible at maths but has difficulty relating to people, to the world around him - apart from his pet rat, Toby.  Is it autism?  Is it Asperger's?  It's never really made specific, but Graham Butler's performance, full of anxiety and bluntness is excellent.

The most of the supporting cast interchange roles and all provide depth to the play.

The other main star of the show is the staging- the set, the sound, the light, the movement all help us get an insight into the peculiarities of Christopher's mind.  I can't say too much about what happens - Act 1 revolved around the death of a neighbour's dog.  Act 2 follows on from that.....  It all gets very emotionally draining by the end, but in a good way.  And there is a lovely 'aww' moment.