The National Theatre’s Olivier and Tony Award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will welcome a new acting company to the Gielgud Theatre next month with newcomer Joseph Ayre joining the cast to play the lead role of Christopher Boone. Based on Mark Haddon’s internationally acclaimed novel and adapted by Simon Stephens, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is currently booking in the West End until 31 January 2017. Rehearsals started this week with the new company who will begin performances at the Gielgud Theatre on 20 June 2016. (The current cast continues until Saturday 18 June 2016)
Jo Castleton joins as Siohban with Nicholas Tennant continuing as Ed, Sarah Stanley as Judy, Jacqueline Clarke continuing as Mrs Alexander with Amanda Posener as Mrs Shears, Ross Waiton as Roger Shears, Matthew Trevannion as Mr Thompson, Gemma Knight Jones as No.40/Punk Girl, David Nellist as Reverend Peters, and nineteen year old Thomas Dennis is the alternate Christopher. They are joined by Charleen Qwaye, Philip Stewart and Matt Wilman as well as Penelope McGhie who will continue with the company.
Joseph Ayre comes to the National Theatre’s production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time direct from a three year undergraduate course at East 15 Acting School. Joseph, who was born and bred in Hull said: ‘I’m so excited about playing Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and taking on the challenge of one of the most complex and interesting characters in the West End. This is my first acting job out of drama school and taking on this role with the National Theatre really is a dream come true for me.’
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 Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s best-selling book and directed by Marianne Elliott, Associate Director of the National Theatre. Marianne, who is the co-director of the NT’s hugely successful War Horse, will direct the much anticipated Angels in America for the company next year. Designs for Curious are 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. The Associate Director for this production is Elle While.
Book tickets to the London West End production here
Photo: Alex Rumford
