Review: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Photo credit: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

The tenth anniversary production of the National Theatre's The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time is currently playing at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre ahead of a national tour and WEBF were invited along to see it last night.

This show is magnificent. It's another example of when every aspect of a production... set, video, acting, writing, props, everything works cohesively together to create an excellent piece of theatre. You come away feeling as if you can take on the world, much like Christopher (played last night by Connor Curren, but shared with David Breeds) and his adventure...

The play starts with a curious incident, as the title suggests, but becomes so much more than that, and what is initially a mystery story becomes a complex family drama, centring on the neurodivergent experience, both from the individual and surrounding family. Siobhan (played by Rebecca Root) is Christopher's teacher and the narrator of the piece who has been brilliantly cast in this role. Root plays an understanding and warm Siobhan and becomes someone we, the audience, can trust early on, a bridge between us and Christopher as a pathway into his unique mind.

Connor Curren portrays Christopher brilliantly. We are glad that for this tour, the National Theatre have taken the time and care to cast neurodivergent actors who are able to truthfully perform this piece. Christopher barely leaves the stage during the show, so it's an incredible feat for any actor.

We are sure many of you will be familiar with the cube like set and projections that have featured in previous productions and still, ten years on, the Bunny Christie, Paule Constable and Finn Ross (set/costume, lighting and video respectively) team's designs stand up, further assisting the audience to see the world how Christopher sees it. A particular highlight of this is the first 20 minutes of Act Two, depicting a journey from Swindon to London when physical theatre meets digital design in the most creative of ways.

It is also an excellent, truly human exercise into empathy and understanding the struggle of others. Not just on the neurodivergent spectrum but in general life. This story, reflected onstage by a *truly* diverse cast is a delight to watch and we would recommend it to anyone.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Callum Wallace

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time plays at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre until 9 January 2022 before touring until June 2022. To book tickets for select touring venues, please click here.