Just how does a dead dog in the nighttime win a record amount of theatre awards? Australian audiences are about to find out.
If one particular play has caught the attention of theatregoers and critics alike, it’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Written by Simon Stephens, it is based on the mystery novel by Mark Haddon, and centers on the mysterious death of a neighbourhood dog.
From the outset, the story can easily sound simple, yet it’s anything but. With themes of autism, Asperger syndrome, social disability, mathematics and isolation, it has become a topic for study guides and critical essays.
It has also won, five Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards and a record seven Oliver Awards – eventually broken by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
The story is presented as a play within a play, where teenager and mathematical genius, Christopher Boone, sets about solving the murder of a local dog named Wellington. The dead canine, which has been speared with a garden fork, puts Christopher under suspicion, however his clever detective work leads him not only to the culprit, but a journey full of frightening discoveries.
In playing the role of Christopher Boone in the UK and International tour, Joshua Jenkins explains how he prepared for the rather unique role.
“Even though it’s not mentioned in the book or the play that Christopher is on the Autistic spectrum, it’s fair to say he possesses some of the traits and qualities of someone who is,” says Jenkins.
“We thought it best to explore that avenue and did so by visiting some schools in London where we spoke to students, parents and teachers who were incredibly generous with their time. They told us stories and briefly let us into their world. I also read a few books and watched documentaries, which were very helpful when it came to playing Christopher. Once rehearsals began, it was important for me to keep this information in the back of my mind where I knew I’d draw on it in a subconscious way. I wanted to stay true to what Simon Stephens wrote.”
Like many roles, actors face challenges, but playing Christopher has a somewhat complexity, given its exclusive and sensitive nature.
“The obvious challenge is the physicality,” says Jenkins. “What might be a page of dialogue can turn into a ten-minute physical theatre sequence where Christopher is literally walking along the walls. So gaining a certain amount of fitness and core strength was incredibly important. It was also challenging to stick to the routines and patterns that Christopher has – things I’m not used to, such as no human-contact or trying to remember how Christopher reacts when a character is shouting. I actually made a list of his do’s and don’ts to help me remember things that seem perfectly normal to me, but would be an enormous struggle for him.”
With The Times calling the play ”a phenomenal combination of storytelling and spectacle, and a theatrical rush”, there’s no doubt that audiences will be wowed by the Australian presentation, which also features elaborate music, lighting and projected imagery. But to get the best understanding of why The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is so special, the last words belong to its leading actor.
“It’s a beautiful story about universal themes that we all go through on a daily basis, like family, loss, love, coming of age and difference. Things that we can all relate to no matter what our age or where in the world we’re from, which is why the book was a worldwide best selling novel. Add to that the spectacular production, and you’ve got a unique recipe, which we don’t see too often in theatre. It’s already a gorgeous play, but it has the production values of an enormous West End show, and that itself is a rare treat!
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is at the Art Centre Melbourne, Playhouse from 7 January to 18 February
For more visit: mtc.com.au
