
The National Theatre’s Olivier and Tony Award winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time celebrated its 1000th West End performance on Saturday 23 January at the Gielgud Theatre. The cast and crew celebrated with a specially designed Birthday Cake on the Curious Incident set in between the matinee and evening performances.
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s best-selling book.
Simon Stephens said: ‘I’m massively moved and massively grateful to everyone involved in making The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time such a massive success, from the audiences who have watched the show, to every single actor, member of the crew, creative genius and animal who made it happen. Congratulations to everyone involved on making it to 1000 West End performances.’
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, which started life at the National Theatre’s Cottesloe Theatre in 2012, transferred to the West End in 2013, first to the Apollo Theatre and then to the Gielgud Theatre. Simon Stephens’ adaptation of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was added to the AQA GCSE in English literature set texts for English schools in 2014, making it the only modern play currently performing in the West End to be part of the AQA Post-1914 drama and prose section.
Christopher, fifteen years old, stands besides Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.
The production is designed by Bunny Christie, with lighting by Paule Constable, video design by Finn Ross, movement by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph.
Sion Daniel Young plays the central role of Christopher Boone. Rebecca Lacey plays Siobhan with Nicolas Tennant as Ed, Mary Stockley as Judy, Jacqueline Clarke as Mrs Alexander, Indra Ové as Mrs Shears, Stephen Beckett as Roger Shears, Matthew Trevannion as Mr Thompson, Pearl Mackie as No. 40/Punk Girl, Sean McKenzie as Reverend Peters and Kaffe Keating is the alternate Christopher. Also in the cast are Mark Rawlings, Penelope McGhie, Naomi Said and Simon Victor.
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Photo: Ellie Kurttz