REVIEW:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Grand Opera House, Belfast
AT ONE point in The Curious Incident, a slew of slogans and phrases are projected on to the stage and one of them – 'Refreshingly different’ – sums up this scintillating stage show.
The National Theatre production premiered in Belfast on Tuesday, three years after opening in London before transferring to the West End and Broadway and now on tour across Ireland and Britain.
The show manages to have everything going for it: brilliant story, excellent actors, dazzling lights and visuals, high drama, fantastic electronic music and even a real white rat.
Directed by Marianne Elliott and adapted from Mark Haddon’s book by Simon Stephens, the story revolves around 15-year-old Christopher, who has a photographic memory and is brilliant at maths.
He has behavioural problems – thought by many to be Asperger’s Syndrome – is confused by people, doesn’t like physical contact and has to contend with arguing parents and the discovery of neighbour Mrs Shears’s dead dog Wellington. When Christopher investigates the canine murder mystery, though, he gets into all sorts of bother.
The play – like the book – is moving, funny, highly intelligent and full of drama. The way the production uses lights, visuals, music, a train set and the choreographed sequences to bring the book to life is jaw-dropping.
Joshua Jenkins, with his twitches, ticks and energy, is a revelation as Christopher, while Gina Isaac (mum Judy), Stuart Laing (dad Ed) and Geraldine Alexander (teacher Siobhan) are also superb.
There are many funny moments, such as Christopher being confused by a British Rail employee with a Jamaican accent giving him directions to the Tube before he sincerely asks her, “What is a 'chooo-ab?”
Both the rat and the scattering of swear words seemed to make some in the Belfast audience bristle slightly, but there was a standing ovation and rapturous applause at the end.
One of the production crew members had commented that the show was “a joy to be a part of” and it’s a joy to watch too.
:: At the Grand Opera House in Belfast until Saturday (goh.co.uk).
